stay in school
"Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered." —Hebrews 5:8
When we were little children, our parents probably tried to teach us to obey. Hence, we might have the tendency to see learning obedience as "kid's stuff." However, learning obedience is not mostly for kids. Even Jesus, God Himself, "learned obedience from what He suffered" (Heb 5:8). We're never too old to learn obedience. Jesus learned obedience not only on His dying day but also through the sufferings of His dying day. No one graduates from obedience school before death. Learning obedience is a divinely guided, crucified, life-long lesson — one that is a responsibility, privilege, and mystery.
Learning obedience is not a trivial matter. Adam and Eve, by not learning obedience, brought death, sickness, pain, war, and countless other evils into the world (Rm 5:19). However, because Jesus learned obedience, "He became the Source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him" (Heb 5:9).
When we were baptized, we were enrolled in obedience school, the school of unconditional love. We entered into the mystery of the cross. Are you staying in school? Because obedience is learned through suffering, many drop out of obedience school. Stay in school. Take the yoke of Jesus' cross on your shoulders and learn from Him (Mt 11:29). Learn obedience.
Prayer: Father, may I learn to delight in obeying You (Ps 40:9).
Promise: "The day will come, however, when the Groom will be taken away from them; on that day they will fast." —Mk 2:20
Praise: Sebastian was actually able to be martyred twice. He was healed of the wounds of his first attempted execution by arrows. He deliberately approached the Emperor, attempted to lead him to Jesus, and was killed for his faith.
Reference: (For more teaching on this subject, order our pamphlet, Obedience School.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, June 20, 1996
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 26, 1996