Fourth Fourth commandmentcommandment

• Have you ever paid a visit to a home for the elderly?

• How do you feel about mothers and fathers being left in an institution by their very own children who can very well support them?

A. SACRED SCRIPTUREA. SACRED SCRIPTURE

•Proverbs 4:1-4

• Loving our parents has a sacred meaning.

• Honoring our parents means more than just obeying them.

B. CHURCH TEACHINGB. CHURCH TEACHING

• 1) VALUES PROTECTED 1) VALUES PROTECTED (CCC 2199)(CCC 2199)

Filial love and respect for Filial love and respect for parentsparents

Respect for persons in authority

Family

2) MEANING (CCC 2197)2) MEANING (CCC 2197)

• The 4th Commandment calls us to:

Honor and love our parentsRespect all persons whom

God has invested with authority

3) CONSEQUENCES of 3) CONSEQUENCES of OBEYING the OBEYING the COMMANDMENTCOMMANDMENT

Spiritual gracesPeace and prosperity

4) FAMILY: Originating Context 4) FAMILY: Originating Context of of Life (CFC 1010)Life (CFC 1010)

The FAMILY is the basic means by which God is able to share with us His divine life.

The FAMILY serves life through the procreation and education of offspring, participating in the development of society, and sharing in the mission of the Church.

5) CHRISTIAN VIEW of FAMILY 5) CHRISTIAN VIEW of FAMILY (CCC 1054)(CCC 1054)

a)Covenant Relationship - patterned on the covenant

relationship between God and His chosen people, marked by love and fidelity.

b) Domestic Church

- serves as a school of Christian discipleship and virtue.

c) First & Vital Cell of Society

- grounds and nourishes the social virtues needed for the development of society.

6) FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS 6) FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS (CFC (CFC 1021- 1026)1021- 1026)

a) Children Love and respect parents Obey parents Assist parents

b) Parentslove their childrenprovide for all the needs of

their childrenrespect their children as

human persons

ACTIVITY

1) Give concrete ways that show you are honoring your parents/ guardians.

2) Make a personal prayer thanking the Lord for having given you the gift of your parents/ guardians.

SUMMARY

In loving our parents, we love God, for they are the visible representatives of God.

To honor our parents means to love, respect, obey and support them, especially in their old age.

The duties of both the children and the parents must be carried out in the spirit of love, respect and forgiveness.

ASSIGNMENT

Study the topics on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Commandments.

CLOSING PRAYER

Opening Prayer for the Feast of the Opening Prayer for the Feast of the Holy FamilyHoly Family

Heavenly Father, Creator of all,You ordered the earth to bring forth

lifeAnd crowned its goodness by

creating the human family.In history’s moment when

everything was ready,

You sent your Son to dwell in time,

Obedient to the law of life in our world.

Help us to realize the sanctity of human love,

Show us the value of family life,

And help us to live in peace and harmony with all,

So that we may share in your life forever. Amen.