Obedience, Part II

I was once in a school where there were highly detailed uniform rules that were widely disregarded. The teachers decried the noncompliance, but were unable to do much about it. Apparently, both the students and their parents chose to ignore these minor regulations. I'm quite sure that the authorities who promulgated these rules thought that they were teaching obedience at an extra-high level because they were so strict. In reality, however, many students, backed by their parents, were practicing disobedience on a daily basis.

Jesus and his parents, Mary and Joseph, obeyed the Law of Israel that we find in Scripture. Jesus was taken to the temple and redeemed with a pair of turtle doves as required for first-born sons. He was circumcised. The Holy Family traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover and other feasts. Jesus paid the temple tax as prescribed by law.

In contrast to this, the Gospel records Jesus' frequent criticism of the Pharisees, religious leaders of his day, for enforcing detailed rules about the tithing of garden herbs, ritual cleansing, and avoiding healing on the Sabbath while neglecting more important aspects of the Law, such as the care of elderly parents. In fact, Jesus' insistence on Sabbath-day healing made the Pharisees livid and his eventual crucifixion more imminent. Jesus showed us that we are to obey God's laws, while ignoring men's rules that distract us from the care of others, which is the real spirit of the law.

Jesus pointed out another difference between the spirit and the letter of the law. He taught us that when we harbor anger or lust in our hearts we have already sinned, even if no overt actions are carried out. Obedience to the spirit of the law, then, is an internal disposition which makes it possible for an individual to conform internally and externally to the will of God.

Teaching an internal attitude of obedience involves helping the student learn how to behave appropriately in various situations and why. When a child has a grasp of the requirements of the situations he meets, he needs few adult directives. If the situation changes a little bit, the child can adapt because he knows what's happening and how to contribute to a successful outcome for everyone. On the other hand, the child who lacks sufficient training and experience to respond well is dependent upon others to constantly tell him what to do or not to do. St. Paul advises fathers to avoid nagging their children. That's good advice. Nagging causes the child to "turn off and tune out". Every time the child ignores a command, the child has practiced disobedience.

God prepared his chosen people during the course of eighteen centuries from the time of Abraham for the coming of the Messiah. He likewise prepares us from the time of conception for every life experience he sends. We too should prepare our children for the situations they meet. They'll be much easier to teach and to raise if we do.

Readers out there, share your experiences with me. The comments of many people make this column vibrant and relevant. Contact me at: newskill7@msn.com or call me at: 703-691-0191 (home), or 703-501-9013 (cell). I'm eager to hear from you.

Mary Sue Laing, M.Ed.
Resource Teacher, St. Ambrose School

by Mary Sue Laing, M. Ed., New Skill, Inc. Academic Tutor