"Honor your father and your mother"
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the
Lord your God is giving you."
Exodus 20:12
About the Commandment
Our parents our procreators with the creator himself
"when we honor our parents, we honor God himself”
THE FOURTH
CFC #1024
his great connection between parents led to extreme punishment for those who violated the fourth
commandment
it bridges the gap between the first 3 commandments and the 5-10th commandment
The general rule of commandment: follow your parents in what they ask you to do
COMMANDMENT
Effects
• They would also get the honor and respect from their parents.
• There will be a better relationship between the family members
• Children are most likely to make good decisions by following their parents
A. To those who follow
• Leads to a bad relationship with the family
• Negative outlook in life (always fighting with your parents)
• Weak faith and bad relationship with God (because God is linked to our parents)
B. To those who don't
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by faithfulness
Historical background
Originally it referred more to the respect for elders by the Jews.
Elders were the ones who shared the traditions handed down to them. The children learned from
the wisdom of their elders in the community
The commandment meant more of the obligation of grown children (who are becoming adults) to
take care of their aged parents
Later on, the meaning of the 4th commandment was expanded to include the duty of young
children towards their parents.
Exodus 21:17 “whoever curses his father or mother shall be put to death”
Sirach 3:16 “A blasphemer is he who despises his father; accursed of his
Creator is he who angers his mother.”
Sirach 3:12 “My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as
long as he lives. Even if his mind fail, be considerate with him; revile him not
in the fullness of your strength.”
Present day applications
In Indian society- the aged who can no longer work are thrown into the streets to beg and die
In the American society- Children send their parents away to community homes and leave them there for
other people to take care of them
In the Philippines- we are more caring and loving towards our elders, we visit them on weekends or
special occasions and we still treat them as part of the family
What makes following the commandment difficult
When parents are irresponsible, unloving, abusive, give up on the family
When children are influenced by their surroundings (friends, television, technology) and they tend
to neglect their parents
Values
Sin/ Violation
Disobeying your parents
Lying to your parents
Disrespecting your parents
Mistreating your parents
Honor and respect for parents and elders.
Honor means showing proper gratitude, affection, respect, obedience and care to the parents
Being truly obedient means our willingness to listen and respond fully to our parents
Family is important
1. Acts as an echo of God’s covenant with his people
2. It is the domestic church or “church in the home”
3. Children learn their first prayers and meet God in the sacraments for the
first time
3. It is the basic unit of society- one learns respect, service, love and justice
