Submission: Hebrews 13:17-21, especially vs. 17: "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account." During the Divine Liturgy and other services, have you observed the custom in our Orthodox churches that Altar servers bring their folded vestments to the Pastor for his blessing, that Readers and Chanters seek the Pastor's blessing before beginning their duties, and even Priests, when the Bishop is presiding, bring their vestments to him for his Pastoral blessing to serve?
What is the message in these actions? Submission. One comes under the orderly and rightful leadership of those designated to rule within the Church. Acts of submission demonstrate respect and readiness to obey those who are appointed to 'watch out' for our souls. In the Apostle's view, submission is to be undertaken readily and with heartfelt delight, "with joy and not with grief" (vs. 17). Beloved of the Lord, let us all, whether serving or not, have truly submissive hearts toward our Pastors, as to those ordained of Christ to care for our souls.
What is the Apostle's point in admonishing us to be submitted in the Church? He teaches that submission relates to the eternal destiny of our souls. St. Paul is pointing to our stance before God when he reminds us that our Pastors "watch out for [our] souls" (vs. 17). Consider the pastoral burden. Pastors will have to "give account" to Christ the Lord concerning our submission. Submission is the warp that interweaves with the woof of Christian faith.
Recall the steps through which a candidate passes during the Baptismal Liturgy: first, he is asked "Dost thou unite thyself unto Christ?" Then, "Dost thou believe in Him?" When these desires and commitments are established, there follows a "double check," a cross questioning: "Hast thou united thyself unto Christ?" However, observe what follows once the candidate answers, "I have:" no question follows, nor is a statement made. Rather, a command is given: "Bow down also before Him." Submission is essential to the life in Christ.
Observe the next acts of submission that follow after the candidate "bows down:" he then kneels before the icon of the Lord. The fact and reality of submission must continue afterwards. Not only will it "be unprofitable for" us (vs. 17) if we fail to submit to the Lord in our hearts and deeds; but further, God help us, if we are found unsubmissive to Him as He is incarnate in our Pastors, and we shall be judged incomplete "in every good work to do His will" (vs. 21). Rebellion and resistance are attitudes with eternal consequences.
How then shall we manifest that we are compliant under the Lord? In today's reading, the Apostle speaks for all Pastors of the Church when he asks, "Pray for us" (vs. 18). In our prayers, let us also ask God for hearts that are ready to obey the Lord in all relationships. Then we shall realize that holy submission which "is well pleasing in [the Lord's] sight" (vs. 21).
When the Apostle wrote the letter to the Hebrews, he was absent from his flock. Therefore he asked them, "I especially urge you to [pray for me], that I may be restored to you the sooner" (vs. 19). Read the 'double entendre' here: if there is resistance in us to submitting, see how prayer may function to restore us to our Pastors and superiors 'the sooner.' When we observe resistance, restiveness, or twinges of rebellion within ourselves, let us pray to the Lord for a 'wholesome submissiveness,' that our souls not verge on serious and 'mortal' danger.
Speaking of "wholesome submission," let us recognize that there is such a thing as obsequiousness and servility and a potential for inappropriate domination or 'lording it over' the Faithful (Mt. 20:25-28). Let Pastors rule and let us submit as to the Great Shepherd Himself!
O Master, unite us to Thee that we may be Thy children, ever submitted to Thee.