We are called to obedience to the truth even if those speaking it preach but do not practice. Hypocrisy does not exempt us from following those with the authority of the chair of Peter any more than it did the disciples toward those on the chair of Moses.
Obedience even in the face of hypocrisy is part of a bigger picture. That picture is consistent humility. We are called to be able to be servants to others not simply because they are greater than ourselves but even when they are not. Obeying people who are actually spiritually superior is perhaps less of a challenge. But there is much to learn in the humility that allows us to obey those who aren't obviously holier than ourselves. This does not mean ever obeying a command to sin. It does mean that the burden of obedience is often much more difficult.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people's shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
Such difficult commands can be deeply unsettling for those tasked with them. But when we ourselves learn true humility even commands like that become effortless. Our feelings aren't hurt when we are called to act as servants. Even as we obey the command the one we are actually trying to please is actually our one Father in heaven. We no longer need to preserve the mystique of our imagined titles as Rabbi, teacher, or Master, because there is only one who can truly live up to any of those titles.
Fortunately, the LORD wants to be so present to us that we can rely on him directly and satisfy ourselves in his presence. As we put into practice humility and obedience in ways that are at times bitter and that often yield no direct rewards yet can we content ourselves in the presence of the LORD, the one whom we truly serve.
And I saw that the temple was filled with the glory of the LORD.
Then I heard someone speaking to me from the temple,
while the man stood beside me.
The glory of the Lord dwells in our land. He dwells in each and every tabernacle of every Catholic Church throughout the world. He is waiting to welcome us. He himself desires to be our reward and our exultation.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
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