I was raised in a different world than the one of today. A popular saying in my youth was that ‘children should be seen and not heard’. Essentially we were to be very well-behaved (obedient) when in the presence of adults, and certainly not expected to add anything to the adults’ conversation. Children were, well, children. No adult ever asked me my opinion on anything…not what I wanted to wear, not what I wanted to eat, not where I wanted to go or what I wanted to do.  I never questioned the directives adults gave me, even when I did not agree with them. I gratefully accepted whatever I was given. Obedience and respect were what I was expected to give to the adults in my life, and I did. Period.

     I mention this because I think my understanding of the obedience of faith−which we hear in today’s second reading from Pauls’ letter to the Romans−is probably much different than the understanding my children (or their children) would have of this phrase.

     Obedience means “compliance with an order, request, or law.”  Submission to another's authority. My experience today of children’s obedience is their acceptance of a directive or plan after they have given their opinion of the plan; after they have been convinced of the need for that directive – often accompanied with the threat of a time-out! With this broader definition of obedience, the reading has a very different meaning.

     To obey in faith is to submit freely to the sacred Word that has been heard, because its truth is guaranteed by God, who is Truth itself. The Virgin Mary is the most perfect embodiment of the obedience of faith.  By faith, Mary welcomed the tidings and promise brought by the angel Gabriel, believing that "with God nothing will be impossible" and so giving her assent: “May it be done to me according to your word.”  It is for this obedience of faith that all generations have called Mary blessed.

     In everyday life we face many challenges for which we have no answer, no way to make the outcome what we would like it to be. During these times, we accept on faith that everything we face is part of the greater plan of God for the re-creation of the world. Only by submission to the will of God through faith do we experience the grace of acceptance. As Paul said, “we have received the grace of apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith, (we) who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.”

     As we await the coming of the Christ Child this Advent season, perhaps we can more easily become submissive to the little Child who came into the world to redeem us. May we invite Emmanuel (God with us) into our hearts and become as obedient children, willingly submissive to the truth of His authority.

Mrs. Kathy England, Pastoral Associate