a) What is obedience?
Obedience is the virtue that inclines us to follow the will of those who have the right to command. They are our legitimate superiors, and include our parents, teachers, parish priest, government officials, and all others placed by God to guide us.
We must obey God above all because he is our creator and wants only what is best for us. We should also obey our superiors, as long as what they ask us is not sinful, even though at times we do not fully see the reason why, because God shows us his will through them.
b) Why should Altar Servers live the virtue of obedience?
Obedience does not limit our freedom, but guides us along a safe path indicated to us by those who care for us and oftentimes know more than we do. Only if the Altar Server is obedient can he in turn lead others, whether in the present or in the future, especially if God calls him to the priesthood.
Obedience is not merely waiting to be told what to do, and then to follow blindly, like a machine. Rather, we should propose courses of action, offer suggestions, ask when in doubt or some error is foreseen, proceed intelligently, not pass on to others tasks assigned to us unless permitted by our superior, and inform our superiors after accomplishing the task.