March 2001
 
 
Is it correct to say that if we fail to show respect for the teaching authority of the Church in any area
(for example, the rubrics of the Mass), it weakens the authority of the Church's teaching in other areas?
 
Yes it is. That's why Jesus asserted: "Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest
letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever
breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom
of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven"
(Mt 5:18-19).