But This Very Obedience
The sermon emphasizes the importance of obedience to God and Superiors, and the need for a cheerful and willing attitude in obeying commands.
St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of obedience without hesitation, delay, lukewarmness, grumbling, or objection, highlighting that obedience to superiors is obedience to God Himself. He encourages disciples to offer their obedience with a good will, as God loves a cheerful giver. St. Benedict warns that even if a disciple fulfills a command with murmuring in the heart, it will not be acceptable to God, who sees the true intentions. He stresses the need for disciples to amend and make satisfaction to avoid incurring punishment for murmuring.
Text
But this very obedience will be acceptable to God and pleasing to all only if what is commanded is done without hesitation, delay, lukewarmness, grumbling, or objection. For the obedience given to Superiors is given to God, since He Himself has said, "He who hears you, hears Me" (Luke 10:16). And the disciples should offer their obedience with a good will, for "God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7). For if the disciple obeys with an ill will and murmurs, not necessarily with his lips but simply in his heart, then even though he fulfill the command yet his work will not be acceptable to God, who sees that his heart is murmuring. And, far from gaining a reward for such work as this, he will incur the punishment due to murmurers, unless he amend and make satisfaction.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Obedience
- The Conditions of Obedience
- The Relationship Between Obedience and God
- The Attitude of the Obedient
- The obedient should offer their obedience with a good will
- God loves a cheerful giver
- Obedience must be free from lukewarmness
- Obedience must be free from grumbling
- Obedience must be free from objection
Key Quotes
“For the obedience given to Superiors is given to God, since He Himself has said, 'He who hears you, hears Me' (Luke 10:16).” — St. Benedict of Nursia
“God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7).” — St. Benedict of Nursia
“He who hears you, hears Me (Luke 10:16)” — St. Benedict of Nursia
Application Points
- We should strive to offer our obedience with a good will and a cheerful attitude.
- Immediate obedience is essential to pleasing God and receiving His acceptance.
- We must be mindful of our attitude and heart when obeying commands, as God sees the heart of the obedient.