Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Thursday of the second week of Easter, May 1, 2025

Delivered by Vivian from the Parish of Saint Thomas in the Diocese of Bogor - West Jawa, Indonesia. Acts of the Apostles 5: 27-33; Rs psalm 34: 2.9.17-18.19-20; John 3: 31-36.SCHOOLOF OBEDIENCE Ourmeditation today is entitled: School Of Obedience. One characteristic of thespirit of Easter is the school of obedience. This school is very different fromthe various schools that we have, such as schools of military, nurses, police,communication, computer technology, administration and so on. These schoolssurely produce a lot of graduates, but are they qualified in the virtue ofobedience? This is a big question. In fact, they don't provide specific lessonand training to make an obedient graduate. Ifthis is the case, then we might see it more appropriate and good that allschools need the inspiration from the spirit of Easter to teach and train theirstudents about obedience. The focus of the lesson in this school should be onthe truth that Jesus is perfectly obedient to His Father in the fulfilment ofthe Father's will. Jesus had offered himself to be a sacrifice for thesalvation of all mankind from a sinful life. This is the main source for thelearning curriculum of obedience for all His followers and all the mankind whofollow God's will. Theteaching of Jesus emphasizes that the basic learning for us is to believe inHim who was sent by the Father and follow the path He had gone through, whichis to carry out the Father's will. This must be a common mission for everyfollower of Christ. Every form of activity, mission, responsibility,commitment, service, and work must orient itself towards this school ofobedience. The point is that all of us have the duty to carry out God's will.If God's will is well done, then the good and truth of life will be its fruits. Togive an example of this school of obedience is when the Jewish Highest Tribunalforced Peter and other apostles not to speak about Jesus Christ. That judicialauthority strictly forbid the apostles to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ tothe public. But because of their education in virtue of obedience was alreadystrongly founded, the Apostles loudly said in contrary in this way: It isbetter for us to obey God than to humans! This education of obedience focuseson the priority of loyalty and fidelity to God. This means that we muststrongly reject every temptation or threat that leads us to disobey God and Hiscommandments. Whyis God a priority in the school of obedience? Because from Him all moralteachings, kindness, truth, beauty, glory, and holiness come. He is the sourceof all wisdom and intelligence. So, if we choose to obey him consistently, wewill be obedient and faithful in all aspects of the orders or rules that wehave every moment and place in this world.Let's pray. In thename of the Father ... O God Almighty, may our obedience to You be true andfirm as Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ is obedient to You. Hail Mary full ofgrace ... In the name of the Father...