Honour thy father and thy mother

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

I want to revisit Mother's Day.  The Bible tells us to honour our father and mother.  This is not only a commandment for children, but also for (I would say more especially for) adults with elderly parents.  Jesus is quite specific about this when He criticizes the Pharisees for not looking after their parents:

Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, 'Honor your father and mother' and 'Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.' But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is 'devoted to God,' they are not to 'honor their father or mother' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition." (Matthew 15:3-6)

When we do not take care of our parents financially, physically, emotionally, and spiritually we "nullify the word of God".  Ouch.  Those of us who have children likely pray for them regularly.  How often do we pray for our parents?

Please lift this prayer today for your own parents (if they are still alive) and for the parents of us all.

Grace and Peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

PS.  If you are in Ottawa, try to attend the National March For Life tomorrow on Parliament Hill.

Dear Lord! Fill our parents with Thy choicest blessings; 

enrich their souls with Thy holy grace; 

grant that they may faithfully 

and constantly guard that likeness to Thy union with Thy Church, 

which Thou didst imprint upon them on their wedding day.

Fill them with Thy spirit of holy fear, 

which is the beginning of wisdom; 

inspire them to impart it to their children. 

May they ever walk in the way of Thy commandments, 

and may we their children be their joy on earth 

and their crown of glory in heaven. 

Finally, Lord God, grant that both our father and mother 

may attain to extreme old age 

and enjoy continuous health in mind and body. 

May they give Thee abundant thanks 

because Thou bast bestowed upon them the great gift of parenthood.

Amen.

(http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=547)

Bruce MacPherson  macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address.  Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.