Wednesday of Week 30 Year 2

What does it mean to obey? Obedience, in a Christian context, is to hear, trust, submit and surrender to God, letting Him be our providence and guide. This is in contrast with a worldly concept of obedience, where in some cases, people are not really obeying, but are simply complying to the instructions or demands of their superiors or leaders. People comply due to a number of reasons: some do so because it is in their best interest or advantage; some out of fear; some because of peer pressure; some for family, job or personal security. But how many of us are wholeheartedly, willingly, humbly, happily and faithfully obeying?

In today's reading, St. Paul reminds us: "Children, be obedient to your parents in the Lord – that is your duty... And parents, never drive your children to resentment but in bringing them up correct them and guide them as the Lord does. Slaves, be obedient to the men who are called your masters in this world, with deep respect and sincere loyalty, as you are obedient to Christ: not only when you are under their eye, as if you had only to please men, but because you are slaves of Christ and wholeheartedly do the will of God. Work hard and willingly, but do it for the sake of the Lord and not for the sake of men... And those of you who are employers, treat your slaves in the same spirit; do without threats, remembering that they and you have the same Master in heaven and he is not impressed by one person more than by another." Do you see a pattern here? Ultimately, we obey our parents, superiors or masters because by doing so, we are obeying God and doing things for the sake of the Lord. Our motivation is not to please our earthly masters or leaders, with the possible hope of gaining fame, status or recognition; instead we should be doing what is pleasing to God.