Homilies
Freedom in Obedience
"Holy Spirit, take my words and speak to each of us according to our need."
I’ve been here in the St Illtyd ministry area for almost three months now and if you haven’t noticed yet, I have a few quirks (aside from my pink hair). In 2023, I received a diagnosis of Autism and ADHD. If you aren't sure what these are, then in simple terms, my brain works on a completely different operating system from what is considered normal. Because of this, one of the things I struggle with is decision making.
Countless friends in the past have greeted me in their homes with the question ‘would you like a drink?’ A straightforward question you might think but in my head a whole series of alarm bells set off. If I say yes to the drink they will ask what I would like; then I have to choose something! They might not have it, or even want me to have it, or I might change my mind. It also depends on how im feeling; am I hot, or cold, or even actually thirsty at all. It is quite well known that people with ADHD often have 3 drinks on the go at the same time- A hot drink, water and a ‘fun’ drink.
So my friends quickly learned that this simple question overwhelmed me and now they focus their question to something easier for me, like ‘would you like a cup of tea?’ Beyond saying Yes or No there is no decision to make and the anxiety disappears.
So what does this have to do with the Gospel reading for today? Well, when I was reading it through for myself the one thing that jumped out at me was the phrase...’Those who want to save their life will lose it and those who lose their life for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.’ It seemed so counter-intuitive but then I realised, my whole brain works on an operating system that is counter-intuitive to many and yet I find my security and peace in structures and rules.
That is precisely what this gospel quotation spoke to me- that there is freedom in obedience. As strange as it seems to suggest that freedom comes from obedience, I think it holds a deep truth. I'm sure many teenagers would not agree with me and make their protests for anarchy.
But if we stop to consider it, many ways in which we live our lives, join us alongside similar groups of people who have agreed to a code of conduct; school rules, workplace law, political party allegiance, hobby groups -even church denominations.
Even in the animal kingdom this works. Metamorphosis, for example. Caterpillars are obedient to the process of the chrysalis, resulting in the liberated freedom of becoming a butterfly. Inside the chrysalis, there are no choices. It is a process of struggle, change and a complete breakdown of everything the caterpillar has ever been but in trusting that process and being obedient to it allows a freedom of total transformation to happen.
This is much the same way as Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane for God to take away his cup and yet he obediently went to his death for our freedom. In 1 Corinthians 15 we are told, ‘we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In having a life on earth we are obedient to death. It’s something we cannot escape but in knowing this and knowing that it isn’t the end we can accept it and look beyond to the eternal life offered with God and all the freedom that brings.
I’d like to suggest three ways in which, as a Christian, obedience leads to freedom. Firstly, obedience is one of the gifts that we can offer to God and which God can accept from us. It is an expression of our love and faith, demonstrating trust in God’s plans for us as our source of deep joy, peace and contentment. This trust offers security in our decision making and holds us with spiritual safety. Secondly, and linked to the process of trust, is that obedience is a way for us to experience God’s love for us. It’s crucial factor of faith; belief and trust in the process of following God’s will, not ours, knowing that we are loved and we will not be harmed. It may not always feel like that now but our obedience offers us the assurance of hope. And thirdly, obedience is a way of building a relationship with God, following his instructions in order to experience the freedom that he offers. There is no promise that this will be easy and as many parents can tell you, sometimes rules are there to keep you safe.
You wouldn’t let a child run into a busy road; you would call out and try and restrain them. Likewise, you wouldn’t let someone put their hand in a fire, without cautioning them and trying to stop them. There isn’t always time for an explanation, but an immediate reaction is needed to stop the harm.
As such, discipline is an essential part of love and is completely at the opposite end of the spectrum from punishment. Discipline offers a framework where we can safely explore questions, through action and thought but which models that love will never be withdrawn.
God loves us, unconditionally. There is nothing we can do to make God love us any more or any less, so through obedience to the teachings of Jesus we can build a relationship with God which will last for eternity and where healthy choices will naturally become our freedom.