I am sure that at least some, and perhaps many of you would agree with me that the words "life-changing" in regards to something or some things are often overstating the reality of "it" a little or a lot! Having said this, I am now going to use these words (life-changing) when it comes to a recent book by Matthew Kelly that is going to be given out as a Christmas present from the parish to those who join us for one of our Christmas Masses this year. In one of the later chapters of the book, he recalls the story of Jesus' "Presentation in the Temple" (a mystery of the rosary) by Mary and Joseph. He speaks about their "obedience" to the Jewish Law, which given who Jesus was (as they understood it through the words of an angel about him), one could argue that they really didn't have to obey that law. The fact is, however, that they did obey it and in this (and I'm sure many other instances of obedience to God's law that are not reported in the Gospels) they are an example to us of the importance for us and everyone to follow God's laws without question or hesitation because we know God's requirements are for our own good and help us on our journey to heaven.
Kelly tells his readers that the word obedience comes from the Latin word obedire which means "to listen deeply" which is what Mary, Joseph and Simeon did as they saw the wisdom of God and surrendered to His will. In presenting obedience as the virtue of the day he says that it is "simply doing what God asks, even when you would prefer to do something else, or think there is a better way. "Obedience to God and obedience to a virtue seeking earthly authority are both profound blessings that liberate the soul and make peaceful acceptance possible."
The Catholic Church's leaders are one of, and really the most important of the "virtue seeking earthly authorities" that we are blessed to have hopefully as an important and respected presence in our lives. Besides affirming the importance of the Commandment of "Keeping Holy the Sabbath" by requiring us to participate in Masses every Sunday of the year, they require the same when it comes to certain "Holydays" of the year. Three of those occur in less than a month's time starting with the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary THIS MONDAY, December 9. These "Holydays of Obligation" call for obedience in participating in Mass that day. I pray that in this and in other things we will readily and even joyfully follow the example of Mary, Joseph, Simeon and of course Jesus himself, in obedi-ence to God, and live securely in the peace of Christ on those days and every day!
Kelly tells his readers that the word obedience comes from the Latin word obedire which means "to listen deeply" which is what Mary, Joseph and Simeon did as they saw the wisdom of God and surrendered to His will. In presenting obedience as the virtue of the day he says that it is "simply doing what God asks, even when you would prefer to do something else, or think there is a better way. "Obedience to God and obedience to a virtue seeking earthly authority are both profound blessings that liberate the soul and make peaceful acceptance possible."
The Catholic Church's leaders are one of, and really the most important of the "virtue seeking earthly authorities" that we are blessed to have hopefully as an important and respected presence in our lives. Besides affirming the importance of the Commandment of "Keeping Holy the Sabbath" by requiring us to participate in Masses every Sunday of the year, they require the same when it comes to certain "Holydays" of the year. Three of those occur in less than a month's time starting with the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary THIS MONDAY, December 9. These "Holydays of Obligation" call for obedience in participating in Mass that day. I pray that in this and in other things we will readily and even joyfully follow the example of Mary, Joseph, Simeon and of course Jesus himself, in obedi-ence to God, and live securely in the peace of Christ on those days and every day!