Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on 19th 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 2248.
The Fourth Commandment, “Honor your father and your mother” implies both the possession and use of authority. All authority comes from God (cf. Romans 13:1). Power and authority are related yet different. When treating “authority” the Oxford Dictionary highlights “the power or right to give orders and enforce obedience; a person or organization having official power.” When treating “power” the Oxford Dictionary includes as nuances “the ability to do something or act in a particular way; the capacity to influence other people or the course of events; a right or authority given or delegated to a person or body.” The Greek term exousia is translated using both terms: power and authority (cf. John 19:10–11; Romans 13:1).
Any human authority or power is always secondary and subordinate to the authority and power of our loving Almighty God. When we, parents or public authorities and powers use our position to serve the common good God is glorified. When power and authority are abused, for the time being, God is mocked, as happened on Good Friday (cf. Matthew 20:19; 27:29, 31; Mark 15:20; Luke 18:32; 22:63; 23:11, 36; Galatians 6:7). In the Resurrection of Jesus Christ we see the vindication of God and His honor, and the same will be true at the end of time in the final judgment. God and His power and authority are supreme.
By sharing power and authority with our parents and those entrusted with the common good, God practices the principle of subsidiarity, whereby the higher authority helps the lower authority to fulfill its responsibilities. The governance of the household, where to live, when and what to eat, what time to go to sleep or rise, the division of household chores, these are all a part of the proper responsibilities of parents over their children. If parents ask their children to eat their vegetables, clean their bedrooms, take out the garbage, go to sleep, they are well within their right. The children are godly when they comply. If, God forbid, the parents ask evil of their children (e.g. rob that house, fence these stolen goods, sell narcotics here…) the parents abuse their authority and the children honor their parents by refusing to be wicked and living holy lives in spite of their wicked upbringing.
As followers of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe and of our hearts, we are not anarchists. We recognize the chaos which existed before God brought order into being and restored order in redemption and act accordingly (cf. Genesis 1:2; 1 Peter 5:10 ). Order, power and authority and the right exercise thereof are all part of God’s holy will for us and possible by His grace at work within us with which we are to freely cooperate.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr