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"Obedience is servility only to those who have not understood the spontaneity of love." Bishop Fulton J. Sheen For Reflection: What do I think is the relationship of love to obedience?

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"I know the power obedience has of making things easy which seem impossible." St. Teresa of Avila For Reflection: How does obedience make things easy - even if they seem impossible?

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"A little drop of simple obedience is worth a million times more than a whole vase of the choicest contemplation." St. Maria Maddalena De Pazzi For Reflection: Today, I will count my "little drops of simple obedience." How many have I had?

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Yesterday I was doing some weeding in my garden and there, once again, I came upon my archenemy -- a prolific weed against which I wage a war. Sprouting tendrils from the mother plant, it creeps its way along the ground’s surface in search of one of my pretty blossoms and blooms.  Spying its prey, it coils itself around my dainty bloom, plants a root system nearby, and attempts to suck the life out of my lovely flower. Also, click here for all information related to flowers.

“Aha, “ I said. “We meet again!” And mustering up energy and strength, I waged a fierce battle, grabbed it by its vine and yanked it out, triumphant for the moment!

But before I too quickly raised a toast to victory, I knew the war had not been won. The weed would return. Yes, it would come back again, impervious to my latest win. In this war, vigilance was required, steadfastness of heart, fortitude and resolve, humility and perseverance. These would hold me firm in my fight, and help me sustain the zeal and vigor that I need.

Yes, with the help of grace, the battle will be won – maybe not in time, perhaps only in eternity, when I see Jesus face to face, and all is made new (Rev. 21:5).

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"Obedience unites us so closely to God that in a way transforms us into Him, so that we have no other will but His. If obedience is lacking, even prayer cannot be pleasing to God." St. Thomas Aquinas For Reflection: Why do I think prayer is not pleasing to God without obedience? Where have I been disobedient to God in the past, or now presently? To what extent have I seen my disobedience affect my prayer?

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A few days ago a member of my high school graduating class passed away.  Bonnie had always been the type of person who was on the periphery of events, parties, dances, and all of the social things that make up a high school experience.  In many ways, she was challenged – not intellectually but in other ways that can make teenage years tough. Her last days sound as if they were as challenging as those earlier days.  And she left the world seemingly bereft of the parents whom she buried and any close personal friends.  Fortunately, another classmate was made aware of her death through a professional acquaintance.  He notified the rest of us.

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"Analyze and foresee, organize and command, coordinate and control, these are the prudential duties of one who is charged with a mission of authority." Gustave Thils For Reflection: Do I believe these qualities are important to "one who is charged with a mission of authority?" Why or why not? What is the difference between being in control and being controlling? Do I emulate any of these qualities? Which? Is there one I need to grow in most? Which?

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"It is sometimes difficult to obey; it is always difficult to command." Gustave Thils For Reflection: What is the difference between "commanding" and simply telling someone what to do? What do I think should be the characteristics of a good "commander?" (See tomorrow's Grace Line to discover the qualities Gustave Thils believes one in authority should have.)

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"This is the definition of vice; the wrong use, in violation of the Lord's command, of what has been given us by God for a good purpose. It is right to submit to a higher authority whenever a command of God would not be violated." St. Basil For Reflection: What are some contemporary examples of using wrongfully something God intends for a good purpose? (Consider this in light of the life issues, for example.). How does the second sentence of St. Basil's quote help to clarify things for me?

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"For those who have become lazy in fulfilling the commandments and desire to banish murky obscurity, there is no better or more efficient cure than complete obedience in everything, with faith and without argument." St. Gregory of Sinai For Reflection: How does obedience "banish murky obscurity?" To what extent do I obey the commandments of God and the teachings of the Church with faith and without argument? (Is there an area where I disagree with the Church and obstinately stand in rebellion, driven by my own understanding and arguments?) Am I willing to be "cured?"

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