MSM Rule: Chapter V -Obedience

CHAPTER V - OBEDIENCE

1. The true Christian spirit recognises in obedience, not only the condition of good order in any society, but also and above all the supernatural act by which we render homage to Divine Authority and whereby we re-establish, in the justice and humility of our submission, the hierarchic order of creation broken by sin.

2. Understood thus, obedience is a good[1] (82) which is eminently desirable for every Christian wishing to participate in the work of Redemption, and all the more for knights who have made profession to imitate Christ and Our Lady, and to establish, according to the means at their disposal and with the help of God’s grace, a Christian order in the world.

3. They will observe their vow of fidelity to the Order with zeal and charity, a fidelity which implies an observance of the Rule and obedience to the Master and his officers, within the limits of this Rule.

This fidelity will bring to the whole order a beautiful unity of heart and mind in the service of Our Lady, Sovereign of the Order and Suzerain of each of its members.

But first, one must really believe that obedience, according to our Father Saint Bernard, can only be born in a soul totally detached and purified from the spirit of the world[2]. (83) And again, speaking of the Knights Templar, Saint Bernard says: With them discipline is never lacking, and obedience is never despised …One would think that this whole multitude has only one heart and one soul so much does each knight hasten, not to follow his own will, but to obey his commander[3] (84). And to his monks he said: It is not a servile obedience nor a dog-like patience which is expected of you; obedience is that delectable food which Our Lord has said is to do the will of His Father.

4. But this obedience, says the glorious patriarch Saint Bernard will only be agreeable to God and sweet to men to the extent that what is commanded be carried out without hesitation, delay, coldness, murmuring or any word of resistance; because the obedience which one gives to superiors relates to God, as He has said: Anyone who listens to you listens to me. [4](85)

5. Whether it be God himself who commands, adds Saint Bernard, or a man to whom He has delegated His authority, one must obey with the same zeal and the same respect I naturally suppose that this man shall order nothing contrary to the Law of God; if such a case did occur, the only rule to follow would in my opinion be that given by the Apostle Peter: ‘Obedience to God comes before obedience to men’[5] (86). This rule alone would prevent us from falling into the equivocal situation of the Pharisees who were blamed by Our Lord, when He said: ‘Why do you break away from the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?’[6] (87)

6. The knights should therefore obey according to the seven degrees which Saint Bernard distinguishes: with the consent of the will, simplicity, joy, promptness, courage, humility, and perseverance[7]. (88) Let them obey perfectly in all things and everywhere[8] (89) for the speech of the obedient will always be heard. [9](90)

7. In this spirit, and though all be equal as knights, they will easily accept the authority of the Master, the Prior or the Commander in matters which concern the observance of the Rule, and a certain right of scrutiny on the part of those same officers of their personal action which should always be inspired by the Code of Honour and the aims of the Order. In particular, each knight is bound to answer any call to assembly made by the Master of the Order unless it is quite impossible for him to do so.

8. The officers of the Order will have regard for the personal circumstances and situations of each member before ordering any important action. They will therefore be the most humble, gentle with their brethren, but severe with themselves. Before delivering a correction, they will invariably raise their heart and mind to God[10] (89)

 9. Let the knights never lose sight of the grandeur of obedience, that is the primary and most effective homage to the Authority which comes from God’s Fatherhood. Discipline is the honour and strength of those who have understood and who revere this fatherhood, which is the source of Justice and Order.

So the knights will have it in their hearts to restore this virtue of obedience, much shaken by the satanic spirit of revolt in the modern world: Rebellion is sin, as witchcraft is sin, all one with idolatry[11].(91) And since a servant is not greater than his master[12] (92) they will imitate the Lord of lords and King of kings[13] (93) who has deigned to submit himself to the will of Another, as he said: I have come not to do my own will, but the will of the one who sent me[14] (94). Indeed Christ became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross[15] (95).

10. The knights will vigorously oppose state laws which are contrary to God’s laws. If the laws of the land are in open contradiction to the divine law, if they include attitudes prejudicial to the Church or demands which are contrary to the duties imposed by religion, if they violate the authority of Jesus Christ as manifested by the Supreme Pontiff, then in all these cases there is an obligation to resist, and to obey would be a crime whose consequences would rebound on the State itself (96) For the good of man and society is never to be found in disobedience to God.

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[1] 82.         Rule of St. Benedict, c.7 I

[2] 83.         No. 41 of his Sermons

[3] 84.         Dc laude novae militiae, IV

[4] 85.         Rule of St. Benedict c.5 and Luke 10, 16

[5] 86.         Acts 5, 29

[6] 87.         Mt. 15, 3

[7] 88.         No. 41 of his Sermons

[8] 89.         Rule of La Salette

[9] 90. Proverbs 21, 28 (Vulgate)

[10] 91.       I Samuel 15, 23

[11] 92.       Jn. 15, 20

[12] 93.       Rev. 19, 16

[13] 94.       John 6, 38

[14] 95.       Phil. 2, 8

[15] 96.       “Sapientiae Christianae”