Obedience is a form of mortification, of self denial.
Practicing obedience can yield tremendous spiritual benefits on that basis alone.
Another good thing about obedience is that we are relying on the directives of an objective person (often with special training/knowledge) rather than on our own judgment. For this reason, we must use some measure of discernment when selecting the person whom we choose to obey.
We must always be careful to avoid feeling compelled to be obedient to someone who doesn’t have our best interests at heart and/or is motivated by a personal agenda. The last thing we want is to allow ourselves to be selfishly manipulated by someone who doesn’t have our best interests at heart.
I am trying to understand the mortification of the will as expressed by St John of the Cross.He has sayings about obedience in "Sayings of Light and Love which I started reading at home. some examples:
13.God desires the least degree of obedience and submissiveness more than all those services you think of rendering him.
40.What you most seek and desire you will not find by this way of yours, nor through high contemplation, but in much humility and submission of heart.
58.This way of life contains very little business and bustling, and demands mortification of the will more than knowledge. The less one takes of things and pleasures the farther one advances along this way.
61.See that you do not interfere in the affairs of others, nor even allow then to pass through your memory; for perhaps you will be unable to accomplish your own task.
72.Although you perform many works, if you do not deny your will and submit yourself, losing all solicitude about yourself and your affairs, you will not make progress.
85.Reflect how necessary it is to be enemies of self and to walk to perfection by the path of holy rigor; and understand that every word spoken without the order of obedience is laid to your account by God.
109.Wisdom enters through love, silence, and mortification. It is great wisdom to know how to be silent and to look at neither the remarks, nor the deeds, nor the lives of others.
112.Allow yourself to be taught, allow yourself to receive orders, allow yourself to be subjected and despised, and you will be perfect.
This is very challenging stuff for me. Available online at:
thirdordercarmelite.wordpress.com/carmelite-feast-days/st-john-of-the-cross-priest-and-doctor/sayings-of-light-and-love-st-john-of-the-cross/
In fact I am considering doing a silence of opinion for Lent. Unless I have something charitable or necessary to say, I’m not going to say it. And my wife predicts hell will freeze over.
