“Whether it is right in the sight of God
for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges.
It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20)
“Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)
In May of 2023, United Airlines flight attendant, Ruben Sanchez, was on a red-eye flight from Las Angeles to Cleveland. During the flight Sanchez, a Catholic, had discussions with another flight attendant, who is also Catholic, about issues related to the Church’s teachings on marriage and sexuality. Including United’s support of Pride Month activities. Both Sanchez and the other flight attendant spoke in support of Catholic teaching on the subjects. Sanchez had also written similar positions on his Twitter (X) account previously. A Twitter user then reported Sanchez to United Airlines. The airline then fired Sanchez for his comments. Sanchez, 53 years of age, went to his union attorneys about filing suit against United but the union firm declined taking the case claiming that in previous cases the union had poor success in cases involving social media posts and religious matters. Sanchez filed a case against the union claiming the decision not to take the case was more related to his age and religious beliefs. The judge in the case sided with Sanchez saying that he had sufficient evidence to continue with his suit against the union and United. In December of 2025 the union and the airlines settled the case with Sanchez out of court.
In today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we see Peter and John standing before the Sanhedrin because of their cure of a man lame from birth. The elders and the scribes were concerned that the people would start to believe in their teachings about Jesus so the debated what was to be done with the two apostles. They feared reprisals from the people if they tortured Peter and John due to the support they had gathered from those familiar with the miracles worked by the pair. In the end, the leaders told the two to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. Their response to the Sanhedrin was that they could not stop teaching about what they had seen and heard…regardless of what the authorities were commanding them to do.
And in the Gospel we have the Easter Sunday story of Mary Magdalene finding the empty tomb and relaying the news to the Eleven…who don’t believe her. Until, that is, Jesus appears to them in the locked upper room. He rebukes them for the hardness of hearts and unbelief. And He concludes by telling them to go out into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. And, of course, we know the rest of the story. They abide by Jesus’ words but incur the wrath of many authorities to the point of their martyrdom.
Ruben Sanchez’s story is not an isolated one. Many people have suffered due to their beliefs. Both Catholic and Non-Catholic. In today’s culture that typically means being at odds with the prevailing liberal/progressive views on marriage, sexuality and life issues. We saw what occurred during COVID when individuals objected to the vaccine due to its development’s use of embryonic stem cells. And the closing of Churches. Even within the Church itself many kore traditional priests have been disiplined over beliefs relating to homosexuality and abortion.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that citizens must obey legitimate authority and abide by civil laws, as authority is ordained by God to serve the common good (CCC 1897-1904, 2235). But we also know that Jesus tells us to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. Making the clear distinction similar to what Peter and John proclaim to the Sanhedrin. That when civil, or Church, authority is in line with Jesus’ teachings, we are to comply. But if that authority is at odds with what is God’s teachings, we are obligated to, as Mark states, proclaim the Gospel to every creature. That may mean fighting a legal battle as did Rueben Sanchez or it might mean walking away from a job that you otherwise enjoy.
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? (Matthew 16:26)
