By the Rev. Cara Scriven | Tacoma District Superintendent
[dropcap]O[/dropcap]On Palm Sunday, I worshiped with the good people of Tumwater United Methodist Church. In her sermon, the Rev. Denise Whitesel Mallek made connections between the directions parents offer their children and those Jesus offered to his disciples. She shared that every parent has, at one time or another, literally begged their children to follow the instructions they have given. It is my experience that more often than not, that begging usually ends up with our children doing the opposite of what we had hoped.
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus sends two of his disciples into the city to find a colt and untie it. The author of the Gospel has Jesus giving very specific directions to them and they follow it to the letter. Even when they are confronted by others as to why they are taking the colt, they reply with the words that Jesus has given them. They are superbly obedient in an almost perfect contrast to the children I love so dearly.
But, as they say, apples rarely fall too far from the tree. As I listened, I wondered if I would be as faithfully observant of the directions Jesus gave. Would I follow these directions or would I question the morals and ethics of Jesus? After all, what about the commandment that says, “thou shalt not steal?”
At the heart of these questions is a very old word–obedience. This simple, traditional, word in our faith causes many modern Christians to cringe. After all, we know from both history, and far too many contemporary examples, that those who blindly follow the directions of someone in authority can both harm greatly and be greatly harmed. Being conscious of this, many modern parents have taught their children to question authority and to be skeptical. Yet, our ancient faith still asks something different of modern us.
[quote_right]Benedictines believe that obedience is not a burden but rather a form of greater freedom.[/quote_right]In order to gain a deeper understanding of this word, it is helpful to look at the Benedictine tradition whose monks hold obedience as one of three vows. Benedictines believe that obedience is not a burden but rather a form of greater freedom. This is based on the understanding of latin root of the word,”oboedīre” which means either “to obey” or “to listen to.”
If we understand obedience as a form of listening, then we can hear God’s call and the response our faith requires when we listen to our neighbors. When we answer the call and respond, we discover a new kind of freedom. A freedom that releases us from our own desires and allows us to think of others first. In this sense then, listening leads us to a faithful response which allows us to live in freedom, from ourselves. When we practice this way of being, we walk in the way of obedience.
As we enter into Holy Week, I encourage you to reflect on whether or not you would have the courage to obey Jesus’ directions to untie the colt, stay up all night and pray, or to spread the good news to all the world. And by doing so, may you discover the freedom that comes from obedience.
1. Okholm, Dennis. Monk Habits for Everyday People: Benedictine Spirituality for Protestants. Brazos Press, Grand Rapids, MI, 2007, p. 55
2. Okholm, p. 59
