Holy obedience

Holy obedience, the church teaches, is twofold: positively it is an act of love, and negatively it is a refusal to give in to temptation to sin.[3] According to the church, the temptation of Christ vanquished Satan[4] and the crucifixion of Jesus was the ultimate act of love.[5] Moreover, Catholics share in Jesus' life and death by baptism and the other sacraments of the Catholic Church.[6]

According to the church, baptism makes one share in the kingly office of Jesus in the church, so that like and in Jesus a Christian can exercise self-mastery,[7] while the Sacrament of Penance makes one reconcile with Jesus, and so re-share in his life, in the church.[8] The sacrament of confirmation seals one with the Holy Spirit,[9] who grants one all the virtues - Theological Virtues, Fruits of the Holy Spirit, and Gifts of the Holy Spirit - necessary to obey God.[10] The eucharist augments one's union with Jesus, and so share in his obedience, in the Christian life in the church.[11]

All Catholics, the church teaches, must practice obedience of faith: assent of faith to the magisterium and divine revelation (word of God), and religious submission to the Pope and other bishops.[12] This includes obedience to one's conscience[13] and obedience to good law.[14] As part of ordination, and priests and deacons promise obedience to God and to their bishops.[15] Consecrated religious vow obedience to their superiors.[16] Children obey their parents, and parents love their children and each other.[17] Catholic schools have their employees sign contracts that state they will adhere to the teachings of the church.[18]

The church teaches that, by his obedience, Jesus perfectly fulfilled, and exemplifies and actuates, life according to the Fourth Commandment.[19] By their obedience, the church teaches, Christians can make reparation for the sins of the world by refusing to participate in sin by exercising virtue,[20] and can hasten the Second Coming.[21]

One of the evangelical counsels, according to the church, is obedience.[22] The counsel is not the same as refusing to commit sin (disobedience), the church clarifies, but is optional and is a deepening of one's union with Jesus in the Christian life in the church.[23]

In religious life, Catholics profess to live according to the evangelical counsels.[24] Canon law demands that monks and nuns obey their superiors as they would obey Jesus.[25] As Jesus would not command or participate in sin, the religious may not obey a sinful command from their superiors.[26]

Mary exemplifies obedience of faith, the church teaches, by her assent of faith to the word of God (divine revelation) at the Annunciation: "Let it be done to me according to your word."[27] Catholic martyrs obey Jesus and the church unto suffering - such as Saint Patrick, who suffered abuse for his evangelization[28] - and unto death - such as Mateo Correa Magallanes, who died rather than violate the Seal of the Confessional in the Catholic Church.[29]

• Seven holy virtues