The Virtue of Obedience

This December, a series of daily Advent, devotional postings is running from December 1st to December 25^th. Journey beside Mary, the Mother of God, as she waits for the birth of Jesus.

STRENGTH

Scripture: “Obey your leaders and defer to them, for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account” Hebrews 13:17a

Quote of the Day: “He who is his own master is a scholar under a fool” (St. Bernard of Clairvaux).

Song Suggestions:
“I Surrender,” by Hillsong
“Hungry,” by Kathryn Scott

Questions: Am I obedient? To whom should I be obedient? What exactly is obedience?

MIND

Let’s say that Mary is now in her eighth month of pregnancy. She and Joseph continue to be scorned by their fellow Nazarenes.

Now, Caesar Augustus has just decreed a census of all the people. All must return to their native town to be enrolled, that is, they likely have to document their oath of loyalty to Caesar (See Ignatius Catholic Study Bible New Testament; Second Catholic Edition RSV. Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch. “The Census of Quirinius” pg. 109).

Joseph puts his hands to his head inside of his humble mud-brick home. “My native town is down in Bethlehem, Mary.” Joseph’s face is shadowed in the dim light from a couple of small oil lamps. “My family migrated up here to build up Galilee.”

Mary rests her hands over her protruding stomach. “Then we must go to Bethlehem.”

“It’s a five-day journey. At least. You’re in no condition for traveling.”

Mary relaxes her shoulders. “Obedience to Caesar is our means of obedience to God.”

“Caesar thinks he’s God!”

Mary shakes her head slightly. “We submit ourselves to the Roman government,” Mary adds, “under God.” Clearly resolved and ready, Mary’s lips curve in confidence. “Our Son is to be born under Caesar Augustus and we will pledge our allegiance to Caesar. But even Caesar is subject to our little Jesus.”

Joseph sniffs. “At least Caesar is not requiring us to burn incense to him.” He gives a nervous laugh. “We will give to Caesar what is due to Caesar. And,” Joseph sighs and then looks at Mary’s belly with a gulp, “to God, what is due to God.”

Mary strokes her stomach, anticipation filling her brown eyes. “But you Bethlehem, Ephrathath, too small to be among the clans of Judah. From you shall come forth for me One Who is to be ruler in Israel,” Mary quotes the prophet Micah.

“Whose origin is from of old,” Joseph says, tilting his head to the side in wonder, “from ancient times.”

(Scripture Reference and Inspiration: Micah 5:1; Mark 12:17; Luke 2:1-5)

HEART

See that if an authority does not call for us to defy God and His commandments, obedience to that authority is a means of obedience to God. Mary and Joseph must have known this as they would travel all the way from Nazareth to Bethlehem at Caesar’s decree. However, when others were simply obeying Caesar, Mary and Joseph saw themselves as obeying God.

Let us think of our own times and situations. One example is a teenager who wants to stay out past ten-o-clock one night, but her parents have given a ten-o-clock curfew. Though God Himself does not give the direct command, the teenager can be obedient to God by being obedient to her parents.

Another example is when at work, your boss asks you to do something that you don’t want to do. Not because it is immoral, but you just don’t want to do it. God may not have sent a message to you from the sky telling you to start this new task, but as work is a part of making a living, obeying your boss is a means of obeying God.

Another example is if a religious order denies your application to join them. Of course, there are several circumstances and situations you could be in, but generally speaking, a rejection can be a form of God closing that door for you. Likewise, an acceptance to a religious order can be a form of God opening the door for you.

Obedience is good because it is pure free-will. Obedience is not the same as being forced to do something. Obedience is humbly choosing to do or not do what is asked of you. Furthermore, obedience is a beautiful virtue. It does not submit to injustice and it does not make us doormats. Rather, it is a humble openness to the will of God and a practical means of following it.

SOUL

O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom (December 20th Vespers Antiphon).

God, grant me the grace to see your will in righteous superiors and authorities. As I wait, give me the gift of obedience and the wisdom to embrace it when the opportunity comes to practice it.

Mother Mary and St. Joseph, please pray for me that I obey God as you both so lovingly obeyed Him. Pray that I obey the Lord. Pray that I have a childlike trust in His goodness.

Mary, teach me how to wait.