Men's Rosary

Obedience is something that most people are uncomfortable with.  It is obvious, if you simply pay attention to the comments and actions of those around us….including ourselves.  Speed limits are not adhered to,  people show up late to appointments and meetings,  some do not complete tasks charged to them and make excuses for why things are not done.  But sadly, and most detrimental to everyone, is the lack of obedience in the Church!

We are warned in scripture of the ill effect of disobedience.  “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword;  for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 1:19-20)  The greatest thing we can do for our salvation is to be obedient to the Lord.  We must humble ourselves and live according to His words and commandments.  It is not about us and what we like, rather it is about what Christ taught and for what he died.  He taught us how to live and showed His obedience, even to death upon the cross, bringing with it salvation for us.

“And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord?  Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.  For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.  Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”  (1 Samuel 15:22-23)  When we do not obey, we are full of pride and there is no room for virtue.  We reject God and worship ourselves.  We are found turning our back on God.  He will not chase after us, though he is always there for us to return to.  No matter how many pious devotions we have, no matter how much we attend Mass, no matter how much we volunteer, if we are not obedient, we work in vain.  It is not only complete disobedience,  but also selective obedience that will lend to our spiritual demise.    St. Pope John Paul II lamented, “In a climate of religious individualism, some assume the right to decide for themselves, even in important matters of faith, which teachings to accept, while ignoring those they find unacceptable.  Selectivity in adhering to authoritative church teaching…is incompatible with being a good Catholic.”  We have the Deposit of Faith to guide us;  Scripture, Sacred Tradition and the Magisterium, we must obey it all.

This does not mean we cannot have issues with things, but we must take that to the teaching magisterium and still obey in the meantime.  At the parish level we have our pastor, priests, and deacons.  We have a hierarchical church, not a democracy.  We do not choose what is to be done, we follow what is taught and obey.  The Church is the bride of Christ, and she is called to submission and obedience.  If we want to call ourselves Catholic and part of the Church, we must act likewise.  Where are we lacking in obedience?  How can we better obey and serve our pastor and priest?  How can we better obey and follow the instructions of the Holy Father, the vicar of Christ, representing Christ on earth and having his authority in the Church?

Think of this as we pray the fourth Joyful mystery of the Rosary, The  Presentation, the fruit of the mystery being obedience.  Obedience was very present in the Holy Family, the smallest model of Church.  May our Blessed Mother intercede for us that we may become more obedient and strong examples of obedience.  May we better obey God and serve one another.