What is "obedience"?

[Fidelis]

Since today is the Feastday of St. Bruno, founder of the Carthusians, I have seen this quote from him more than once:

“By your work you show what you love and what you know. When you observe true obedience with prudence and enthusiasm, it is clear that you wisely pick the most delightful and nourishing fruit of divine Scripture.” --St. Bruno

It’s a beautiful quote, but it got me to thinking about something. When St. Bruno and other monastics talk about the virtue of obedience, I’m assuming what they are referring to is in the context of life as a Religious, where you owe obedience to a Superior. But what does it mean for the average lay person in the world? Are we called to exercise this virtue somehow in our everyday life, or is it for those extraordinary times when our will comes in conflict with legitimate spiritual authority, like a parent, pastor or bishop? What do you think?

 

[BrotherPaulMary]

Well first you must obey God.

For lay people - you obey your confessor when he sets your penance. You also obey those who have legitimate authority over you - like your boss and your parents. You also obey the laws of the state unless it would be sinful to do so.

Thats what I can think of - of the top of the head.

Br. Paul

 

[Fidelis]

Well first you must obey God.

For lay people - you obey your confessor when he sets your penance. You also obey those who have legitimate authority over you - like your boss and your parents. You also obey the laws of the state unless it would be sinful to do so.

Thats what I can think of - of the top of the head.

Br. Paul

Thanks for the reply, Br. Paul.

 

[RB2]

Obedience for a lay person , the average person, might be the obedience to our diocesean Bishop. However, there is little that affects us in ways of obedience to our Bishop except that there is intersection in the realm of liturgy participation. I attended a parish which gained national prominence over their demands of having their specific customizations made to the Novus Ordo. They called these customizations…traditions. They carried out active protests in church by kneeling as a group in areas where the Bishop had the authority for everyone to stand, ignoring other precepts, etc. all as a group protest. Basically an older pastor had died, he celebrated with respectful but liturgical quirks of his choice, and the Bishop wanted there to be the standard Novus Ordo there that everyone else had for the past 40 years.

It all boils down to this, if you cant’ obey the Bishop in his rightful liturgical directives then just where is your obedience to your Bishop?

 

[raaucoin]

As a lay person who has recently rededicated herself to following the teaching athority of the church, obedience for me is submitting to the will of God in my life. I have promised the Lord after years of “disobedience” to be obedient in all He asks of me.

I see He’s will as being made known through my pastor, my Bishop and the Magisterium of the Church. An example: When I returned I had all kinds of ideas about what I wanted to do in our parish. My pastor “suggested” I start by volunteering with the St. Vincent de Paul society. I was very disappointed- that just wasn’t one of the things I had in mind.
But determined to be obedient, I did so. Turns out it was one of the biggest blessings of my life.

The Holy Spirit obviously knew that my soul needed healing besides forgiveness and knew I’d find that with our St.Vd paul group. He spoke through my pastor that day and my obedience allowed Him to bless me beyond belief.

 

[fhansen]

It’s interesting to compare this verse from Romans to one in Acts:

**Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.**Rom 13:1-7

Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! Acts 5:29

I think there’s a time and place for each.

 

[Fidelis]

Thanks everyone for all the great answers so far. This has really given me a better insight on this.