Rational Disobedience

Have you ever rationalized a disobedience? Of course you have; we all have at one point in our lives. The difference is how clear are you in the rationalization? If at any point someone shows you the truth (primarily from the testimony of the Church), and you come up with a good reason (to yourself at least) why you do not need to obey then you are rationalizing disobedience.

If there is a clear statement from the Church (e.g. from the Trent Catechism, or an ex cathedra statement of a Pope) then it is not an optional issue. We are required to obey the Church, unless the Church has clearly made a statement of changing the rule at a later time. Obviously this can only be done on a matter that is not settled dogma. The Church changed the rule on women covering their heads while in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament--it is currently encouraged but optional. The Church cannot change the rule of what qualifies a valid marriage--it is settled in Scripture and dogma.

We all need to see our actions in the correct light. For any Catholic to refuse to obey a clear and fully authoritative statement from the Church means that he is on the path to apostasy. He may not arrive there tomorrow, but that does not mean he is not headed there. Let us each examine our hearts and ask ourselves how well do we obey? As we are told in Scripture many times: "Lean not on your own understanding, but on the truth of God".