A young boy, whose family neglected the laws of the Church, came at length to prepare for his first Holy Communion. During the instructions he was reminded that it was a sin to eat meat on Fridays. This had been his custom, and he resolved now to change.

It was not long before his resolution was put to the test. That Friday at dinner nothing was served but meat. The child this time refused to eat it; but he also explained to all present the reason why he refused. His father became very angry and, taking the boy from the table, put him in a solitary room. He further ordered that his son was to receive no food for the rest of the day.

The lad's mother (who was as negligent a Catholic as her husband) still could not help pitying her child's punishment. Later that day she secretly took some food to her son. Much to her surprise, however, he would not eat it. She questioned him as to why, for she knew that he was hungry.

Her son then explained to her that his intention was to always be obedient to his parents. Earlier that day he had disobeyed his father, because “obeying” him in his command to eat meat would be a sin. Every sin is an act of disobedience to God, our true and supreme Father in Heaven, Who must always be obeyed over every other authority. Now, however, he would sin if he disobeyed his father's strict orders forbidding him to eat. So, since he could obey his father now without sinning, he would.

Secretly admiring her son's resolutions, the mother left with the food. Later, she told her husband what had happened. When the father heard this, he began to think over his past life. In time, this led to his conversion, together with the conversion of his wife. See how greatly God rewards true obedience, even in this life!