Humility & Obedience

10/31/2018

Step #1: Lectio / Read

Click the link below or open your Bible to the passage and read through the reading at least once, paying attention to what is happening in the text.

EPHesians 6:1-9

Step #2: Meditatio / Meditate

Use the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).

Obedience and humility… everyone’s two favorite words. We all love listening to other people, following rules, and putting ourselves last right? My eyes literally rolled as I wrote that.

This is one of those “tough, but so true” statements from Scripture today. We often forget the value of obedience. We see rules and obedience as a restriction that impedes on our freedom. We live in a world that is so relative sometimes that it values our opinion over truth, even if our opinions completely contradict each other; that is unless we don’t like that point of view.

I am not saying we should blindly follow what everyone says, that would be dangerous. What I am saying is that we need to realize that there is truth, and we are not always 100% right. We should follow people that have earned or deserve our obedience and respect, in the ways that they have earned and deserve our obedience and respect. We obviously must listen to our parents in a different way that we listen to our teachers or coaches. Our government leaders and law enforcement deserve our obedience and respect in ways as well, even if we disagree with them or don’t like them.

This all changes when someone asks you to act immorally or to go against what God has taught us. All authority comes from God, and if people are misusing their authority in an immoral way, we can act, but always with respect and humility. I am not saying go out and riot, but I am saying that you can write letters or bring awareness to injustices. I am saying you can and should say something if someone treats you wrong or asks you to do something you know is wrong, but we also have to remember that this is not an excuse to be obedient just because we disagree with someone, especially our parents. There is virtue in obedience. So as much as you may hate to hear it, listen to your parents. How will we ever have the humility to listen to God if we can’t be humble enough to obey our parents? It’s tough, I know, but that is how we grow. God loves you too much to just let you be stagnant.

Step #3: Oratio / Pray

These questions are to be used to talk to God; have a conversation with the Lord about these questions and what is going on in your heart as you pray today.

When are some times that I struggle to be humble and obedient? Is there someone in particular I struggle to listen to and obey?

Who has been a real example in my life of humility and obedience?

Where do I seek truth and freedom? How is God calling me to grow in truth and freedom today?

Step #4: Contemplatio / Contemplate

In this step, you listen. Stop talking, let God speak to your heart. You may repeat one of these short phrases to focus your mind on the Lord.

"Be sincere of heart."

"Truth brings freedom, and freedom brings truth."

"Honor one another."

Step #5: Actio / Act

In light of today's reading and your time spent in prayer with the Lord, what concrete action or actions will you take to let this encounter with the Lord bear fruit in you today?

Seek out an opportunity to grow in humility today. Maybe it means not fighting back when asked to do something or help out, or maybe it means doing something before you even have to be asked. Seize those opportunities to practice the virtue of humility and to serve obediently.

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The following image is here for you to save and use as a background or lock screen on your smartphone or device to help you carry today's Lectio Divina with you the rest of the day.

Today's prayer was prepared by Sean Norris, a theology teacher at JSerra Catholic High School in Orange County, CA.

If you have anything you'd like our team to pray for, please go to the page of our website called "Prayers" and let us know how we can pray for you today.

CARPE VERBUM