Revolution of Love.com
Obedience Requires Humility
by Barbara Barthelette
Obedience is often misunderstood and can become the root of bitterness. Some people find joy in obedience and others find happiness in their perception of obedience, thus a lot of controversies are born.
The Protestant faiths exhibit this particular problem. Since they have no long-standing roots, they are prone to breaking off and forming new and 'better' religions. There is always someone in the crowd who finds it
easier to regroup than obey the precepts of the majority.
The Catholic Church is fortunate in not having these problems. We have the Pope. Christ left this earth with a rock upon which our Church would be built. We have a clear line of succession from St. Peter all the way down to Pope John Paul II. Easy, right? All we have to do is obey.
Our basis for obedience can be found in the Ten Commandments. Only ten, simple rules. You obey them to the best of your ability and salvation is yours. There is, however, that one commandment that finds our weakness
every time - Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother.
How many times have you pointed this out to errant children? It is so simple, obey and you won't get into trouble.
Face it! No matter how old we get, there will always be someone, somewhere that needs our obedience! And obedience usually involves a degree of humility. That is probably why there are so many Protestant sects. It isn't easy to bow to authority and much easier to just start your own group so you are the one to be obeyed!
"Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do? Here is the true token of a soul absolutely perfect: when one has succeeded in leaving behind his own will to such a degree as no longer to seek, to aim, or to desire to do what he
would will, but only what God wills." St. Bernard
In the Catholic Church, how do we know who or what to obey? It's called the succession of St. Peter, the current Pope in Rome. If you have a question on what is going on and you can trace it back to a ruling or decree from Rome, then you know you are on the right path. Sometimes, however, it is hard for people to realize that this line of correctness goes all the way down the line from Pope through the Cardinal, Archbishop, Bishop to parish priest. Again, simple! If we obey our parish priest, we are doing okay.
It is always difficult to change especially if it concerns something of long standing in your life. Just review the reactions to Vatican II! There have been so many times when people have told me in response to simple questions like, "Do you want to meet for lunch" that they will have to wait for God's discernment in their lives. Yet, when God actually speaks through his priests and other hierarchy, the message or God's discernment doesn't seem to come through very clearly.
If you attend a particular parish because you respect the spiritual leadership of the pastor, shouldn't that include all matters of Faith as long as the direction does not lead to sin?
Obedience has got to be one of the toughest areas of Faith. Sometimes, obedience really rankles against what we want to do versus what we are being asked to do. What would be more pleasing in the eyes of God - obedience that humbles you or humbleness that is chosen by you?
He who trusts in himself is lost. He who trusts in God can do all things". -St. Alphonsus Liguori.
Barbara M. Barthelette is the editor of Gabriel's Trumpet, a newsletter for Our Lady of the Angels Home Schoolers in Southern California. You can contact Barbara by email: barthlet@juno.com.