Obedience Relearned

(a homily)

Why do we do the things we do? We'd probably like to a reasoned account for our daily ways of being, perhaps more accurately an answer aimed at justifying ourselves. "I do this because of that, because of so and so, and so on and so forth." There exists a plethora of reasons for anything that needs to be reasoned. We've got systems of thought at our fingertips to get ourselves through almost anything. And yet do these accounts, these reasoned apologetics, offer us any hope of salvation?

The lessons today seem to point to something beyond giving an account, something beyond our beloved Reason. Obedience. The word makes us shudder. It's chíc to be a rebel. It's expected that at some point you won't take heed of some authority figure's word, be it your mom or dad, or the principle. It's part of growing up. Rules are there to be broken. Yet, the law of the land, we're told, keeps everything from going up in flames.

We're told so many storied about obedience throughout our lives that it seems silly, stupid, impossible, pointless. And, in all honesty, I think I would in many instances agree with such sentiment. But not with the obedience we hear of today. This is the kind of obedience that overcomes the fearful law-abiding of national citizenship. It is the kind that enters into a purer way of being, one of sacrifice, of praise. Its focus, its center is on the Triune God, the Father Almighty, the Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, the Holy Spirit, the giver of life. This obedience transforms the one obedient; we are made free, not afraid. (The law of the nations are sustained only by fear. Love is not in the picture.) We must relearn obedience, come to recognize that it is a right response to the perfect love of a God who sees all we do and stills loves us.

We learn this obedience here, together in worship, in the presence of God and God's people at Christ's table. We are made able to follow by the Holy Spirit who transforms our meal, quiets our hearts, bids us to wait and listen. I would not venture to say that God is without reason for bringing us here, but to us such reason is mysterious. Such a wine as God's Spirit requires that we be made new to receive the fruit of such a vine. Let us now be humbled and recognize who we truly are in the light of God's mercy and love. God will put praise on our lips that we may go in the right way and see the salvation of the Lord.

(1 Samuel 15:16-23; Psalm 50; Mark 2:18-22)