Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent – Do as God Says, Not as They Do

Moral authority should be no more relative than morality itself. For example, Dominicans freely profess our vow of obedience and accept that we have given our superiors the responsibility of guiding us in the moral life. Their moral authority extends to our community life and governs our dealings with others. It is not always easy submitting to that authority. And many times it is easier to criticize a superior for his own shortcomings than to observe his instructions.

In various contexts, all Christians are called to the same humble obedience to moral authority by virtue of Baptism. In our incorporation into the Body of Christ, we have embraced a way of life with certain responsibilities that enable us to live morally healthy lives. God gives us bishops, parish priests, and catechists to help each of us develop the tools needed for a sound conscience and the wisdom to make moral decisions that reflect God’s will and respect our human dignity.

In some cases, but certainly not in every case, we find a shepherd has failed in the moral life. Does that negate everything he taught us? Does it mean we can ignore the truth of God’s Word he preached to us? We may be urged to forget the former priest’s homilies when we discover his immoral behavior. We could ignore a bishop’s advisement in moral matters because, after all, he was irresponsible in handling the former priest’s case. What business does he have telling me how to live my life?

Given secular media’s biased portrayal, the Church seems to be in such disrepair that I do not know whom I can trust… But, where does this line of reasoning end? In St. Matthew’s Gospel account, Christ warned his disciples of leaders like the Pharisees who assume a teaching office and fail to live up to their own teachings. Yet, if we look closely at what Jesus says, we see that the Pharisees do not teach their truth. They teach God’s truth. When they fail to live up to the words they preach, they actually ignore God’s ways.

No less can be said of teachers in the Church today. If we know that a teaching is true, no matter how uncomfortable it is, then we cannot blame the behavior of a religious leader for our refusal to adhere to that teaching. Another man’s hypocrisy is not my free pass to abandon the moral life. No matter how significant his role or how much authority is vested in him, no one else’s actions can justify my sins. I will have to face my failings before God just as surely as he who failed in his decisions will have to face his.

Jesus’ teaching should not cause despair or disenchantment. We should see this Gospel passage as a sign of God’s ceaseless commitment to our own growth in virtue. It is not the case that God sends us bad spiritual leaders. And He actually has sent us countless holy and good leaders!

Rather, when a spiritual leader fails in his personal moral life, we should give thanks that God still can get through to our hearts and teach us His ways. God does not abandon us, even when it seems like He has turned a blind eye. We should not abandon Him or the many good brothers and sisters in the faith who can learn from our moral example.