“Obedience does not mean the execution of the orders that are given by a drill sergeant. It springs rather from the love of an order, and love of him who gave it. The merit of obedience is less in the act than in the love; the submission, the devotion, and the service which obedience implies are not born out of servitude, nut are, rather, effects that spring from and are unified by love. Obedience is servility only to those who have not understood the spontaneity of love.” –Fulton J. Sheen
A while back, I consulted a superior via e-mail what the best way to do X with Y would be. And he said something to the effect of, “I don’t think you should do X with Y at all.” (Since I have respect for my superior I will keep it sufficiently abstract here that nobody can identify him; I doubt he would even be able to identify himself if he read this.)
To me, it seemed inefficient to do X without Y, but I obeyed. Obedience is not easy but I have made a vow so I tried to do it without using Y.
It was the littlest thing that cost me 5 minutes a week in “wasted” time. But how much I suffered.
Later on, while speaking with the same superior about some related things regarding Y, he said I could do X and more with Y. I felt relief. Then I thought back and realized, after all I have given up to be a Legionary – my family, a wife, my city, money, etc. – how easily my will still attach myself to something so small as this.
