The Presentation of the Child Jesus - Obedience

 

The Presentation of the Child Jesus

Fruit of the Mystery: Obedience

The Holy Family’s circumstances were far from normal. Both Mary and Joseph knew that Jesus had been conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, that Jesus was the son of God. They had travelled far from home to Bethlehem to take part in the census. They then travel to Jerusalem to fulfill the biblical edict that “every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord” (Luke 2:23). Given the unique means by which Jesus was conceived, one might think that Joseph and Mary didn’t need to fulfill this law. After all, Jesus was already consecrated to God.

Yet, they obey. They do what the law requires just as they obeyed the law that required them to travel to Bethlehem. They do not feel that their special situation puts them above the law. They must do all that is required. So, they go to the temple to offer sacrifice. There they are met by Simeon and Anna, both of whom bear witness to the young Messiah.

The root word of “obedience” comes from the Latin word meaning “to hear”. God wants us to hear him and to do what he asks. Sometimes that means doing what rightful civic authority asks us to do (such as Mary and Joseph completing the census) and sometimes that means listening to Church authority or to the quiet voice of God within us who is calling us to take a certain course of action.

Obedience can be hard. We are a freedom-loving people. We like to do what we want when we want and don’t appreciate others putting boundaries on us.

Ultimately, God’s laws, Church laws, and civic laws are all there to help us in some way. They are there to help us live in harmony and safety with other people. Yes, we are not required to follow civic laws that ask us to violate moral law, but those situations are relatively few. In most cases, we are called to set aside our own will and to be obedient to those who have authority over us. Most of all, we are called to be obedient to God. 

In meditating on this mystery of The Presentation of the Child Jesus, let us pray that we may be obedient to God and rightful authority.

 

 

The Fruits of the Mysteries of the Rosary is available on Amazon. 

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. Purchases made after clicking a link help support this site. Thank you!