Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! There are ten (10) “In Brief” articles in the Catechism of the Catholic Church addressing the Fourth Commandment of the Decalogue, ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ The following is a reflection on CCC 2247.
The Fourth Commandment of the Decalogue is “Honor your father and your mother” (cf. Deuteronomy 5:16; Mark 7:10).
The Fourth Commandment has at least four parts which we should consider, namely: low to high (children to parents) and high to low (parents to children) as well as the nuclear family (mother, father, children) and extended family (society) issues. The Catechism summarizes the moral doctrine of the Fourth Commandment treating the nuclear family in six articles and addresses the family of society in four articles.
When considering the relationship between parents and children we are to remember that only God is perfect. None of us have had or are perfect parents. None of us have been or have perfect children. Part of God’s plan for us to grow in patience and the other virtues is thanks to our families and neighbors, whom we are similarly to help grow in virtue (cf. Sirach 24:25; 2 Maccabees 6:31). Parents are to be respected by their children. I will never forget, as a child, seeing one of my classmates kick his mother. I was totally in shock at the disrespect (he has since repented and has become a model citizen who cherishes her memory now). The Catechism, latter, will highlight different aspects of the respect due to our parents. It is important to recall that another aspect of the Fourth Commandment is the respect due to the children. When laissez fair parenting takes place (“do whatever you want Billy/Suzie…”) and there is no discipline the children are disrespected (cf. Proverbs 13:24; Sirach 16:24; 23:7; Ephesians 6:4; Philippians 4:8; Hebrews 12:5, 7). The contrary is no less true, if the children are treated as domestic servants or worse, if they are not being nurtured these are also sins against the Fourth Commandment.
Another aspect of the Fourth Commandment includes both the nuclear family and the family of society. Again, the Catechism will highlight different aspects of this in subsequent passages. Let it suffice here to highlight the who of each. As for the nuclear family, mother and father and children are definitely included and extends to aunts and uncles, cousins and grandparents. This is all a part of the Fourth Commandment and no amount of “social engineering” can change that regardless of the various polls or widespread deviant behaviors. When considering the social aspect of the Fourth Commandment this should remind us of our neighbors and fellow citizens (of the city, state and nation). Of course, neither element (nuclear family or social family), allows us to despise anyone or disregard the need we have inscribed in our very being to love our neighbor (cf. Matthew 19:19). The Fourth Commandment reminds us that “charity starts at home” (cf. Galatians 6:10).
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr