During this time of separation from the sacraments, it is often difficult to obey the directives given by our lawful superiors, whether spiritual or temporal. It would be easy for the pious faithful among us to think that it would be better to follow our own inclinations and seek out the sacraments despite the direction of our diocese. During these times, it’s always safe to look to the Saints.
What is Obedience?
Charity alone places us in perfection. But the three great means of attaining to it are obedience, chastity, and poverty. Obedience consecrates our heart, chastity our body, and poverty our worldly means to the love and service of God…
There are two kinds of obedience, one imperative, the other voluntary. By the first, you are bound humbly to obey your ecclesiastical superiors; that is the Pope, your Bishop, your pastor, and such as may be commissioned by them. You are further bound to obey your temporal superiors, that is your sovereign, and the magistrates whom he appoints over the land…
This is imperative obedience, and no one can be exempt from the duty of obeying his superiors, their authority to govern and command, according to their several conditions, being given them by God.
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We must obey all superiors in those things in which they are especially set over us, obeying our temporal rulers in all political and public matters, our spiritual rulers in all things ecclesiastical, our father, husband, or master in domestic concerns and our confessor in all appertaining to the guidance of our soul.
St. Francis de Sales
St. John of the Cross has said, “God wants from us the least degree of obedience and submission, rather than all the works we desire to offer Him” (SMB I, 13). Why? Because obedience makes us surrender our own will to adhere to God’s will as expressed in the orders of our superiors;
Divine Intimacy, The Value of Obedience I.
The Value of Obedience
We all have a natural inclination to command, and a great aversion to obey; and yet, it is certain that it is more to our advantage to obey than to command. It is for this reason that perfect souls have so great an affection for obedience, and find it in all their delight.
St. Francis de Sales
Obedience is, without doubt, more meritorious than any austerity. And what greater austerity can be thought of than that of keeping one’s will constantly submissive and obedient?
St. Catherine of Bologna
Obedience is a penance of the soul, and for that reason a sacrifice more acceptable than all corporal penances. Thence it happens that God loves more the least degree of obedience in thee, than all the other services thou mayest think to render Him.
St. John of the Cross
A little drop of simple obedience is worth a million times more than a whole vase full of the choicest contemplations.
St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi
Of Thoughts Contrary to Obedience.
Beware of examining and judging the orders of Superiors, and considering why such a thing was commanded, or whether another course would have been better. All this belongs not to the subject, but to the Superior.
St. Jerome
If you ever are conscious of impulses, thoughts and judgements opposed to obedience, though apparently good and holy, do not admit them on any account, but reject them promptly, as you would thoughts against chastity or faith.
St. John Climacus
It is not enough for obedience to do what is commanded. It must be done without debate, and must be looked upon as the best and most perfect thing possible, though it may seem and may even be the contrary.
St. Philip Neri
The Scriptures
Servants, be obedient to them that are your lords… as to Christ… doing the will of God from the heart”
Ephesians 6, 5-6
He humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross.
Philippians 2, 8
Father… not My will but Thine be done.
Luke 22, 42
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