St. Damien of Molokai wasn't a shining example of obedience to his superiors. There were quite a few saints who didn't always comply eagerly with everything that was asked of them. But I think there is still a general trend of respect at least, if not mindless acquiescence to every order given.
St. Damien of Molokai wasn't a shining example of obedience to his superiors. There were quite a few saints who didn't always comply eagerly with everything that was asked of them. But I think there is still a general trend of respect at least, if not mindless acquiescence to every order given.
To put it more clearly, I think there is a place for resistance and pushback, if it's justified and respectful--authority isn't ALWAYS right, and sometimes there are other spiritual goods to be considered, as in St. Damien's case where he had a duty as shepherd of the Molokai lepers--but this sort of flagrant disregard for the hierarchy in direct charge of them still looks pretty unreasonable.
Charity or love, not obedience, is held up as the highest of virtues in the New Testament. And when Christ was obedient to the point of death, that was ultimately to the Father's Will. The apostles gleefully disobeyed the Sanhedrin's injunction not to preach, didn't they?
Point taken. But a letter publicly stating their refusal to acknowledge a legitimate superior is still several steps beyond St. Damien having strong words with his superiors around allocating more resources to the lepars under his care.
St. Damien of Molokai wasn't a shining example of obedience to his superiors. There were quite a few saints who didn't always comply eagerly with everything that was asked of them. But I think there is still a general trend of respect at least, if not mindless acquiescence to every order given.
To put it more clearly, I think there is a place for resistance and pushback, if it's justified and respectful--authority isn't ALWAYS right, and sometimes there are other spiritual goods to be considered, as in St. Damien's case where he had a duty as shepherd of the Molokai lepers--but this sort of flagrant disregard for the hierarchy in direct charge of them still looks pretty unreasonable.
Charity or love, not obedience, is held up as the highest of virtues in the New Testament. And when Christ was obedient to the point of death, that was ultimately to the Father's Will. The apostles gleefully disobeyed the Sanhedrin's injunction not to preach, didn't they?
Point taken. But a letter publicly stating their refusal to acknowledge a legitimate superior is still several steps beyond St. Damien having strong words with his superiors around allocating more resources to the lepars under his care.
Oh, absolutely!
apostles were not disobeying the Sanhedrin’s authority (men), since their authority came from God himself -Jesus.