*This article is a reflection for our Christian Family Movement fellowship

I am reflecting on the question whether obedience has a positive or negative connotation in today’s society.

During the pandemic, my wife and I watched a few Asian dramas and Western films from Netflix and Viu. After watching several films, I couldn’t help but compare the values portrayed. In Asian dramas, there were many scenes where children would listen to their elders, while in Western films, parents and grandparents were often portrayed as annoying and inconvenient. In one scene from an Asian drama, the protagonist couldn’t go on a date because her mother asked her to look after her grandmother, while in the American movie, the teenager couldn’t have cared less. These films convey a clear message about how obedience and disobedience are practiced in certain cultures, which led to me express to my wife my disappointment. I’m not vilifying certain cultures, but some social practices can break societies and families.

Doubt towards traditional values is not only happening in media but also in institutions like traditional and conservative schools. I have observed that in most institutions much importance is given to cognitive development, skills and post-modern values at the expense of the interior dimension. There are also those in religious circles, who are progressive, and are open to modern social values that undermine obedience to divine authority. I remember that in one mass, less than a month after the desecration of Our Father, a priest called for the acceptance of those who are different from us. Short of saying, to love is to be open minded, accept and tolerate certain groups who assert their values. But then, GK Chesterton said, when we are too open minded, our brain spills.

Our society today sees obedience from the negative light. I dare say that our country’s exposure to Western media and institutions with modern western values has shaped the way we view obedience. Whenever we hear the word “obedience,” the phrase “submission to authority” comes to mind. So, when we are asked to submit, we often feel that we are surrendering our freedom to an authority figure whom we perceive as immoral, flawed, and greedy; why follow authority when many of them are unclean? But on the other hand, obedience is music to the ears of those in power who seek compliance from others.

As a son, spouse, and parent I grapple with the delicate balance between obedience and freedom. As a parent, I expect my child to obey my wishes, but in doing so, it can sometimes make them feel as though I am encroaching on their freedom. I know because I felt this way, too, as a teenager. As a spouse and son to my parents, I often want to assert my will because the ability to do as I please feels like the ultimate expression of freedom.

In essence, I desire obedience from others, but I, with free will, can choose whether to follow or not. This complex interplay between freedom and obedience can make it quite tricky to navigate. So how do we reconcile this conundrum between freedom and obedience?

True freedom and obedience are not mutually exclusive. We do not lose our freedom when we obey; in fact, obedience to God’s authority and to human authority with the right moral sense liberate us from the bondage of worldly passions, thus leading us to happiness. True freedom or Christian freedom involves making choices that align with what is good and taking responsibility for our actions. On the other hand, worldly freedom, one that is rooted in disobedience, gives the illusion of control and power as we are able to choose anything and everything we desire, even actions that go against moral principles. As a consequence of our disobedience, we violate our own freedom and become prisoners of our passions.

Here is what is propose: to embrace obedience and willingly submit to authority, we must perceive freedom as a force for growth, maturity in truth, and one that finds its fullest expression when directed towards God. Such a perspective encourages us to prioritize obedience over disobedience. In this view, obedience becomes compliance.

Indeed, obedience presents its challenges, particularly when it necessitates a battle between our passions and what is inherently right. The Catechism of the Catholic Church underscores the need for preparedness to make sacrifices, exercise discernment, and undergo proper formation to succeed in obedience. To navigate this path effectively, humility must be our guiding stance.

I am not advocating for blind obedience, as history has shown the negative consequences of such blind allegiance. Instead, I advocate for obedience rooted in Christian freedom, that is submitting ourselves with all humility to God’s will; because we know that if our freedom is to be used for good, then obedience to God’s will follows naturally.

In doing so, we unlock a bonus, for obedience to God’s commandments yields profound blessings. Honoring our parents promises us a long life, while compliance with earthly authorities ensures they serve with joy rather than sorrow, an advantage that ultimately benefits us. And in our pursuit of God’s kingdom, grounded in righteousness and obedience to His laws, we discover a source of enduring blessings.

The complex interplay between freedom and obedience remains a challenge to navigate. However, by redefining our concept of freedom, focusing on the moral compass, and embracing obedience as a path to liberation, we can find harmony between these seemingly opposing forces. It is in this balance, guided by humility and Christian freedom, that we discover a path to genuine obedience that enriches our lives and deepens our connection with a higher purpose.