In the school of obedience there is
but one and only textbook, the Bible. This book was not written to make us mere
intellectuals but to guide our Christian conduct. In it God reveals himself to
us, his life and teachings become textbook to guide us in this school of
obedience. The very entrance into priestly vocation demands absolute obedience;
Christ whose footprints we follow had already taught us how to obey. For we
read in Hebrews 5: 8-9, he learned obedience by the things which he suffered;
and thus became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey. Christ has
come to teach us how to obey; obedience therefore is at the heart of priestly
vocation, in so far as this vocation is a share in the very life and ministry
of Christ. To this end, the scriptures tell us through the words of St. Paul, that
Christ is the greatest high priest, who obeyed in all things but sin (Hebrews
4:15); in another place we read, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto
death (Philippians 2:8 ).
Similarly, from Christ's teaching
and way of life we learn that the obedience he practiced, is what he asks from
all those who wish to follow him. Hence, priestly vocation is a call to
obedience; a call that demands more communion with Christ, who came to the
world for the purpose of carrying out God's will; in this lies the principle
task of the priestly vocation. For the greatest glory we can give to God is to
obey his will in all things. From entrance to the Seminary or Religious life to
the day a priest is ordained, obedience becomes something necessary and
needful; and after ordination it remains the rule of life and sacrifice a
priest offers to Christ and his Church. Nevertheless, the word to
"Obey" gains more strength in Religious Life, where more commitment
to obedience is required. Here obedience becomes the passion of life, where one
gives up one's life in obedience for him who has taught us to obey. It is in
obeying that a priest and a religious do the will of God. For we read in
Hebrews 10: 9, Behold I have come to do your will, o God. To do Christ's will
is to obey his teachings; this is the key to learning in the school of
obedience. This is what our teacher and master has called us to learn, this he
also asks of those who embrace priestly vocation.
Therefore, to do well in this
school, close attention should be paid to our teacher and Master Jesus Christ.
All the things we need to excel in this school is found in this teacher, his
entire life is a book to be read. It will be irksome that we call Christ our
master and fail to follow his teachings. For this reason, if those who enter
this school fail to obey; then it is either that they have learn little or
known nothing about Christ. On the other hand, when those who enter into this
school constantly look up to their master Jesus Christ, then the words of John
H. Sammis "When we walk with
the Lord in the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way; While we
do His good will, He abides
with us still And with all who will trust and obey;" Is being made real in their witness to
Christ. Let us therefore trust in a God who has called us to obey and always
strive to do his holy will. Let us seek God in obedience, for he who strives to
withdraw himself from obedience, withdraws himself from God's grace. May Virgin Mary, who willingly submitted to God's plan with complete trust
and obedience,
continue to guide us as we learn from Christ's school of obedience. Amen
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