THURSDAY MAY 2, 2024
THURSDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER B
ST ATHANASIUS, B.D (MEMORIAL)
Acts 15:7-21
John 16:9-11
ANCHORED ON UNWAVERING OBEDIENCE
One essential quality that makes the faith in Christ grow is possessing an unwavering obedience to the teachings of Christ and the Church. Against the rationality which is the exclusive reserves of each human person whether Christians and others, a Christian however submits unreservedly to the teachings, decisions and instructions of the church and Christ himself. This is what marks us out in our faith and life.
At the first council of the Church, in which the question of whether to admit circumcision as necessary for salvation and needed for a Christian life, the council met and resolved that such was not the intentions as perceived in the various actions of Christ and miracles received with the coming of the Holy Spirit.
This resolution leads all to accept this teaching and hold dearly to it. It does not matter what their thinkings were or what it may portend for Jewish people or how different and radical it may seem to them to abandon their age long doctrine dating back to Abraham which was renewed in Moses and the Prophets to allowing people of other traditions make a mess of their old long tradition as unimportant. This would have been the challenge of the Jews who were there when the decision was taken.
But they had to obey and uphold the decisions of the council as said. Such obedience leaves one in total self giving and total abandonment of ones ego, ones pride and ones perceived rationality. Obedience is a very difficult part of the Christian life,
Yet necessary and very important for the progress and well-being of the person.
In the gospel, Jesus again urges obedience to his will in order to abide with him. He tells us in plain language, “if you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.”
And going further, he gives us the rewards of obedience, which is joy in full. As he says, “these things I have spoken with you, that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be full.” Growing in obedience to Christ is necessary for our well-being and happiness. The result of obedience is fullness of joy and happiness.
But the task in obedience is so demanding because it may take us out of our comfort zones, it may input some ethical values that brings burdens on us and in our lives. Obedience makes us subject to the decisions of others and relegates our thinking and rationality to the background. Though, Obedience is the necessary ingredients in our Christian life, yet it stripes us of our freedom and free will and makes us slaves of others.
But accepting to obey is key to spiritual success and growth. It means admitting to divine will and mandate. It is a higher way of following the divine and ways of God. The Church lives to obey God and authorities. Because it is the objective way of living.
The church also extols obedience more than sacrifices. Let us learn to be faithful disciples by obeying the Church and the teachings of Christ. Remember that obedience does not pick and choose what to hold on to and what to discard.
Obedience is total and unreservedly. So in all matters on faith and morals we bow to the supreme teachings and direction of Christ and the Church.
Heavenly Father, grant us the spirit to abide in you by keeping to your teachings and instructions. Give us the spirit of obedience to your ways. Guide us in our lives as Christians to submit ourselves to do your will, follow you ways and live in your love. May we trust and obey you in all things and through our obedience may joy, peace and happiness flourish in our lives through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
