Obedience to God requires submission to the will of God. Mary, who is called “most obedient,” glorified God in all things through her obedience to Him. She did not obey out of fear or concern about a rule, but rather, she did it out of love. The Rule of the Ten Evangelical Virtues states, “The Virgin Mary was always most obedient not only to God, but for God’s sake, also to men.” Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (Jn 14:15). Mary was obedient out of love, not out of fear. Because she trusted and loved God, she was able to obey Him without hesitation, whether it was going to help her pregnant cousin Elizabeth, or fleeing into Egypt when Herod sought the life of the Baby Jesus. Reflect on how disobedience to God brought sin, suffering, and death into the world. One example is how Lot’s wife was turned into a pillar of salt when she looked back. Let us not look back or too far forward at what might be. Let us stay in the moment and take one day at a time. We must be obedient to God’s will. Obedience means not seeing our will as paramount but recognizing and doing the will of God. Sometimes that puts us in conflict with the world. When the Sadducees and priests told John and Peter not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus, they knew what they had to do. And Peter and John answered, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20). Discernment through prayer regarding God’s will is essential if we are to be obedient. He values obedience more than sacrifice or offering. May we learn from the example of Mary, and the gentle whispers of the Holy Spirit, what God’s will is for us in our lives. 5 14510013 The 10 evangelical virtues of Our Lady Mary, who is called “most obedient,” glorified God in all things through her obedience to Him. She did not obey out of fear or concern about a rule, but rather, she did it out of love. The Rule of the Ten Evangelical Virtues states, “The Virgin Mary was always most obedient not only to God, but for God’s sake, also to men.” © 2023 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. Most Sorrowful Most Merciful Most Patient Most Poor Most Pure Most Obedient Most Humble Most Prudent Most Faithful Part 6 Most Devout Mary Book: Cenacle Manual Four Remember there is a manual four! Dr. Robert Stackpole collaborated with Dr. Bryan Thatcher on an excellent book on the Blessed Mother. Mary: Who She Is and Why She Matters is an overview of the basic truths about Our Lady and her ongoing role in the Church today written with wit and erudition, making this the perfect introduction to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It offers answers to common Protestant objections to Catholic teaching about and devotion to the Blessed Mother. Those EADM members who have read the book have shared that they really enjoyed it, and it is well written and easy to read. To order, visit ShopMercy.org (Product code: EV-MBK).
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