The obedience factor

Among the three public promises (vows) in religious communities, orders or congregations, the vow of obedience seems to be the more fundamental since the two others flow from it (poverty, chastity). No wonder at one time (see Jn. 4:34) Jesus expressed it this way: “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me, and to complete his work” (Jn. 4:34). One of the reasons Jesus emphasizes it is because disobedience has always been the source of pride and the fall of Satan and his cohorts of devils. It also is the source of pride that can erode the bright virtues of an innocent soul. Instead of being that happy humble person or servant he might turn out to be one hateful character because of a spirit of pride that corrodes his other excellent virtues. That has been the cause behind the fallen angels—Satan and his cohorts in Hell and the downfall of many a person in all history whatsoever. Satan’s banner carried the message ‘I shall not obey’, so he was cast in Hell. The same fate has been or is being repeated by all those who follow the ways of the devil, the line of disobedience. Remember history and endeavor to avoid the mistakes of history.