One way to think of obedience is in terms “listening”; in fact, “to hear” is at the root of the word obey.

You’ll generally get no argument in insisting that actions speak louder than words. Despite the apparent consensus on this folk wisdom, most of us catch ourselves from time to time saying things we frankly will not do.

“Tell me what you think of this story: A man had two sons. He went up to the first and said, ‘Son, go out for the day and work in the vineyard.’

I taught at a Catholic high school in Boston many years ago. The school was a mini United Nations with students of every color and many different cultures. It was my home for five years and I loved the place and the people. 

I worked as a counselor for a childcare agency years ago. The kids were orphans and/or wards of the state. One boy, Ray, was a good kid—friendly, helpful, even cheerful. Yet just below the surface, there seemed to be a slow-burning anger in Ray.

We called my sister’s college crush the Great Disappointer. He was tall, handsome, successful, smart, funny. Men loved having him around to talk business and sports; women loved his flirty, teasing way. He was a welcome guest at any party.

When I taught high school, I spent a number of years coaching the freshman soccer team. Then I became a soccer referee. That was back when I could still run up and down a field for an hour blowing a whistle.

We ask for the mercy of God, who gives to those who do what is right and just.

If you judge people you have no time to love them.