St. Joseph's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church

  • Increase font size
  • Default font size
  • Decrease font size
Home Catholic Questions & Answers Shall we obey our civil authorities?

Shall we obey our civil authorities?

Yes, we should obey our authorities and show respect to them. Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgement on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid for he doesn't bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute God's wrath - on him who practises evil. Therefore you must be subject to authority, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience sake. For because of this, you also pay taxes. Render therefore to all their due taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour (Rom. 13:1-7). Almost the same teaching is given by Peter (Cfr. 1 Pet. 2: 13-14, 19). Jesus had already taught "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Mt. 22:21) Cfr. Ecc. 8:2.


However, when the ruler commands us to do something contrary to our faith, we are not bound to do. Because God is the supreme ruler who is not to be disobeyed for the sake of mundane rulers. When the Sanhedrin commanded Peter and John not to preach in the name of Jesus, their reply was that they had to listen to God more than to them (Acts 4:18-19). We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).

 


Sunday Prayer Meeting

Every Sunday we have our prayer meeting starting from 8.45 am to 10.00 am conducted at Church Chapel. Everyone is welcome to join us also encourage others do the same.

Read Recent Messages

Prayer Meeting Schedule

St. Mathew's Prayer Group
(N/A)

St. Joseph's Prayer Group
(N/A)

Little Theresa Prayer Group
Saturday, Mar 17, at 7.00 pm
Joy & Shyni's Residence
2201 79th Place N, Seminole, FL 33772
Phone: (727) 319-3125

Sacred Heart Prayer Group
Friday Mar 9, at 7.00 pm
Kochumon & Kochumol's Residence
6308 Sea Lavender Ln, Tampa, FL 33625
Phone: (813) 962-0941

 


SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 
Prayer Meeting - 8.45 AM
Malayalam Mass - 10.15 AM

Tuesday - Friday
Malayalam Mass - 6.30 PM

Saturday
Malayalam Mass - 9.00 AM
followed by Adoration.

CCD CLASS - EVERY SUNDAY
Every Sunday 8.50 AM,
followed by Malayalam Mass.

 Follow us on Twitter Visit us on Facebook

REGISTRATION
If you have not registered with the SJSMCC, please do so ASAP. This is mandated by the diocese. Regardless of your membership with KCACF, separate registration with SJSMCC is required. SJSMCC has to maintain its own record. SJSMCC can provide any reference or document only if you are a member of the church.

Download Registration Form


We are doing a Holy Rosary over Telephone every night at 9.00 PM. Please join with us today!

How to Join?
* Dial access number: 1-218-895-3179.
* Enter passcode 203050# when prompted.


These are more effective than 911 when...

Take a look here.