The Fourth Commandment - Part 2

The Fourth Commandment – Part 2

Submitted by Thomas Stidl

         In Part 1, I gave a general description of the duties that children have toward their parents.  In Part 2, I want to be a little more specific.

         Children should always respect their mother and their father.  Through the framework of family creation, children have been born into this world.  They grow in strength, knowledge, and love of all family members.  Once children become adults, parents must realize that their “young ones” will leave the “nest”.  However, this does not free children from their responsibility t care for their parents spiritually, physically, and financially.

         This is the time for parents who are still children of their parents to set a good example for their children.  Realizing that as old as we get, all adults should show care fut. their aging parents.  We should visit them in the hospital when they are sick.  If they are feeble, we must care for them.  Sometimes, mom or dad will need to move back in with us.  They may require some nursing care and the help of a nurse’s aid for their personal needs.  As their weakness progresses, they may finally need the help of a skilled nursing institution.  When that happens children should visit them often.  It is so sad when you visit a nursing home and see the elderly sitting in a wheelchair looking forlorn and forgotten.

         As a good Catholic, I have spent some of my time with the elderly who have no visitors.  They talk to you about their experiences in life.  They share their wisdom with you.  You actually brighten their day even for at least 15 minutes.

         Now I realize that some of us have wandered far from home and live out of state.  We cannot visit them, as we would like.  Yes I know that some of us are very busy, but we should all have the common sense to call them regularly.  This will show our parents that we have not forgotten them.  They still like to be kept informed as to how you are doing as well as how your family is doing.  Continue to love and care for them.  After all, they did the same for you. 

         Whether our parents are living or have returned to the Father’s House, we should always pray for them.  In addition if they are deceased we should pray for them and to them for the earthly assistance that we need.  That one little prayer may give us an inspiration or rekindle a memory on how to solve a problem.  Even though some are “deceased”, God counts us as living.  As Moses was told, God is not the God of the dead but of the living.  All are alive in God’s eyes.

         Children always need help no matter what age we may be and our parents are there to help us.  If they made mistakes, while they were on earth, they will only be too glad to help us here on earth.

         Until next time, Laus Tibi, Christe.  Deo Gratias.  Gloria Tibi Domini.  Praise be to God.  See you in Paradise.