The Message
Lesson Four — Obedience
Obedience for laity is different and perhaps at times more difficult than for religious, as we do not take vows of obedience to a superior. We are called to be obedient to Holy Mother Church and to do the will of God, which can at times be difficult to discern.
Many of us are afraid of authority, yet obedience to God is freeing and liberating. God wants us to flourish, and He desires our good even more than we do. When we look at the history of man and salvation, we see that when people followed His rules and longed to be with God they were fine, but problems arose when they rebelled and forgot about Him. Being obedient to God's authority contrasts to authoritarianism, which is manipulative and oppressive. Our obedience is based upon the realization that God alone knows what's in our best interest. That is why our Lord asked St. Faustina that the words, "Jesus I Trust in You," be placed at the bottom of the Image of Divine Mercy.
Obedience done in a spirit of love requires humility. Blessed George Matulaitis, the Renovator of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception, asked for humility in his spiritual diary:
If I may ask, Lord, let me be but a dishrag in your church, a rag used to wipe up messes and then thrown away into some dark corner. I want to be used up and worn out in the same way so that your house may be a little cleaner and brighter. And afterwards, let me be thrown away like a dirty, worn-out dishrag.
Obedience means not seeing our will as paramount, but recognizing and doing the will of God. When the Sadducees and priests told John and Peter not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus, they knew what they had to do. Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19-20).
Even as a child, Jesus was obedient to Joseph and Mary: "And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them" (Lk 2:51).
Saint Faustina wrote this notation in her Diary that warrants deep reflection: "A disobedient soul will win no victory, even if the Lord Himself, in person, were to hear its confession. The most experienced confessor will be of no help whatsoever to such a soul. The disobedient soul exposes itself to great misfortunes; it will make no progress toward perfection, nor will it succeed in the spiritual life. God lavishes His graces most generously upon the soul, but it must be an obedient soul" (113).
Like our Lord, we must be obedient in all things, even the little things in life. We must have a burning in our heart to love Him and be obedient to Him; that love and obedience is freeing and liberating. As St. Faustina wrote in her Diary, ""God lavishes His graces most generously upon the soul, but it must be an obedient soul" (381).
Questions for Discussion:
Obedience is different is some regards for laity than religious, and requires humility; it is liberating and freeing. Trust in God and being obedient to His commandments is vital for spiritual progress. Yet, these teachings can be difficult, and we should strive to do the will of God in all things.
1. In what way is it more difficult for a layperson to be obedient than it is for religious?
2. How are the virtues of obedience and humility interrelated?
3. How are the teachings on the gift of life beautiful, yet at times difficult?
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