The Mystery of Obedience

Obedience is a bad word this days, it seems. Somewhere along the line, being obedient became equated with weakness, the prevailing notion being that if someone acts in an obedient manner they are somehow less of a person. Just one trip to the local book store and you’ll find dozens of self-help texts written by ‘experts’ who want you to believe that the world revolves around you, and that the only obedience you owe is to yourself. That’s not what the Church teaches, nor is it what Christ showed us as an example of how He wants us to live.

St Silouan the Athonite once said: “Rare are they who know the mystery of obedience”. The quote reveals two things: first that the presence of perfect obedience in a human being is uncommon, and secondly that obedience is a mystery. The word ‘Mystery’ (from the Greek mysterion) is commonly used in the Church, although the exact meaning of the word denotes something inexpressible. We use the word ‘Mysteries’ to describe our sacraments, in which case it refers to the way that we participate in our own salvation by partaking of them. Beyond the seven sacraments that we are already familiar with, the Church includes many aspects of our life in Christ, such as hospitality, the veneration of Holy Things, and the Jesus Prayer as being sacramental. Through the Mysteries, the saving action of God is revealed to us in a way in which we can understand, yet never fully comprehend.

In what way is obedience a mystery? The Orthodox theologian Vladimir Lossky writes that the answer lies in the fact that while there is unity in God, in Christ there are two Wills, both human and divine, with the human Will being in complete subjugation. The mystery of Christ’s obedience to the Father, he notes, is equivalent to the mystery of our salvation. In short, if we are to be saved, we are to be obedient.

Obedience means first and foremost that we are to be submissive to the Will of God. We have to take a serious look at ourselves and ask: when I pray, “Thy Will be done”, do I really mean it? Certainly Christ meant it, in His agonizing prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, giving us an example of perfect obedience. But we don’t necessarily have to be in Gethsemane to learn obedience – practice makes perfect, and there are certainly plenty of ways to practice obedience in our daily lives and within our own families. If we practice simple acts of obedience even to those we don’t know, such as helping a stranger who asks us to assist him with a certain task, then we have already set ourselves upon the road of salvation. We owe obedience to our spouses, our superiors at work, and most importantly, to our spiritual father, as one who knows and cares for our individual spiritual needs. That is why it is essential to pray for him, and ask God to give him wisdom and spiritual discernment, so that he may not lead anyone astray though his human weakness.

Can obedience ever be bad? The answer is yes - since like every other good thing, obedience can be distorted by Satan and used against us. We can fall into the trap of being obedient to those who do not have our best interests in mind, or even into the pride of attempting spiritual feats beyond our reasonable capabilities. In every case, we must never trust our own judgment, but through constant prayer ask the Lord to direct our steps according to His Will. Only then will the Mystery of true obedience be revealed to us.

A Voice for the Silent

Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. (Proverbs 31:8-9)

Like most people, I had always believed that an ostrich buries its head in the sand when it detects danger. The logic behind it, I guess, was that if the ostrich didn't see the cause of the danger, then the danger didn't really exist. As it turns out, the whole idea is a myth. Ostriches don't really put their heads in the ground unless they're looking for food, but the image has become forever synonymous with those who choose to look the other way when something unpleasant presents itself.

Christians are often afflicted with the "ostrich syndrome". All around us we see the sufferings of our fellow human beings, each created in the image of God, and we choose to be indifferent. We see abhorrent, sinful conditions and we choose to ignore them. We think that it's none of our business, but we couldn't be more wrong. We have a responsibility towards God to be the voice of advocacy for those who cannot speak for themselves - for those who suffer physically, emotionally and spiritually in silent agony. Who are these people, and how can we help them? Perhaps the answers may surprise you.

1. The unborn. Abortion is the greatest tragedy of our time. Each year, in the United States alone, well over 1 million innocent human beings are murdered using the most unspeakably brutal methods. Worldwide, the numbers reach a staggering 46 million. The tragedy doesn't stop there, as the long-term adverse psychological effects of abortions upon women who have had them are well documented. If just as many people were dying per year of any given disease, the outcry would be overwhelming to find a cure. Instead, we hear it written off as a "choice", as if the taking of a human life were as mundane as picking out a new pair of shoes.

First and foremost, we need to pray for the unborn, for those who are struggling with the decision to terminate a pregnancy, and for those who pose as "medical professionals" and commit these heinous acts. If we know of a person who is considering an abortion, we must make every effort to show them love and compassion, and to encourage them to choose to give life instead of taking it away.

2. The poor. We don't have to look far to find someone in need. Indeed, they're here in our own communities, even in our own church. Throughout the world, there are people in need, many of which we never hear about because the media doesn't think their particular situations are newsworthy.

We must do what we can to help the needy. Very often, that doesn't require much - perhaps giving a dollar or two to those who ask. A smile and a thoughtful word always helps - perhaps you can ask them what their name is, and tell them that you'll pray for them. Always remember that it is a real person you're talking to, a person with a name, a person with the same needs as you have.

I have a favorite story about Mother Theresa, who was once being interviewed by a reported while walking through the streets of Calcutta. She noticed a man had fallen, and immediately left the reporter's side to rush to his aid. After all, she explained, Christ had fallen, and she needed to help Him. Brothers and Sisters, we also need to treat all people as we would treat Christ Himself.

3. The imprisoned. There are many types of prisons, not just the kind reserved for criminals. Prison ministries are certainly worthwhile, but many people are unable to visit the incarcerated. On the other hand, there are countless people that we come into contact with every day who live in spiritual and emotional prisons.

Orthodox Christianity is the most perfect form of holistic medicine. The cure of the soul is deeply rooted in the tradition of the Holy Fathers. Certainly, we should visit those who a physically ill, but there are many whom we see every day - our neighbors, friends, co-workers and family - who are held captive by sin, depression and despair. Outwardly, they may show no symptoms, but within them resounds the constant cry: Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Thy Name! (Ps. 142:7).

You're aware of people like this - I know you are. You just don't know how to approach them, and perhaps are afraid that they will reject you're help and tell you to mind you own business. Of course, our first response should be prayer - to ask God for the right words to say. But words aren't always the best way to start out, rather it is our actions, our Christ-like behavior, which will open the door and allow us to interact with that person. Don't think for one minute that people will not notice your actions as a Christian. They do notice, and are influenced by your witness to Christ. The seed you plant today will grow abundantly if it is nurtured by prayer and love.

There's no better day than today, no better time than right now, for us to begin to use our voices for the Glory of God.