The supernatural motives of monastic obedience can be of varying kinds, more or less elevated . Here are the principal ones:
1. Perfect love for Jesus Christ, Who is the example of obedience to the Father even unto death . He has become the cause of eternal salvation to all that obey Him.
2. Fidelity to one's own vocation and to the holy (monastic) vows.
3. Fear of hell.
4. Desire for the eternal reward.
St John Climacus , the fourth step of his ladder, has a long treatise on obedience . It would be interesting to compare it with that of St Benedict. The spirit is the same.
" Obedience," says the Abbot of Sinai, " means blind faith in God, no fear of death; crossing the ocean of life without anxieties ( My opinion: is to put all hope in God, in both times of desolation and consolation. Not to waver in the storms of life). Obedience buries one's own will ( My opinion: to live the will of God, even if this is harsh. To live a life of poverty in spirit , chastity and obedience to the ten commandments. There is adversary in life. We feel frustrated. We do not want to pursue virtues. Burying one's own will is important in such case). Obedience raises humility ( to God's will) to life. The arms of obedience are psalmody, prayer , and confession." St John Climacus appeals to his experience and recalls monks who, thanks to simple obedience, had taken on the bright appearance of angels, having returned to the absolute simplicity and innocence of little children.
Obedience:
My opinion:
Obey the Ten commandments and the Catholic Catechism attentively.
For the advice of confessor, take them prudently.
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