Our Venerable and God-bearing Father Euthemius the Great.
Polyeleos Feast.
Hebrews 13:17-21; Luke 6:17-23.
Read Hebrews 13:17-21
Obey those who rule over you and be submissive.
This can be a challenging commandment. First of all, the idea of submissiveness is generally repulsive to the contemporary western person. We’re usually willing to obey a supervisor at work as long as the employment agreement is respected and labour laws are being followed. But be submissive? In other words, put aside our will and desires in order to follow the will and desires of someone else and to obey them in this spirit? That goes too far for most of us.
Furthermore, those who rule over us? There is a huge amount of distrust towards those in authority. Today in the United States, a new president comes to power—a man who, according to many, is among the least trustworthy people ever to hold that office (I acknowledge that there are many who believe the exact opposite—I’m not taking sides here). Leaders in the Church are sometimes even worse!
This is all true. At the same time, to whom are we to be ultimately submissive? God himself. Submissiveness to God does not mean a setting aside of our own will and desires in order to obey His whims. Instead, submissive to God means that we allow our will and desires to be conformed to His, because His Will is salvific and for everyone’s eternal good.
When we hear about submissiveness in this passage or elsewhere in scripture, first remember that our submissiveness is first and foremost to God.
So, when it comes to rulers, yes, submit them, as long as you can without disobeying God. This means obeying laws even though they may seem unreasonable or silly (you may think that speed limit is too low for the road but following it does not mean disobeying God…). Pray for your rulers that they may rule with wisdom. Love them because they are created and loved by God. Their peace of heart will mean that they rule with peace and mercy.