Giving Parents Their Due Honour

By Bro. Rojan Vattoly, CMI –

“Honor thy fathers and thy mother” is the fourth commandment given by God through Moses. In this contemporary world, where people are fashioned to question the fundamental base of values, has seen enough atrocities in family relations. There are several cases in recent memory. The latest incident happened in New Jersey, where a 16-year old brutally killed his parents, sister and 70-year-old family friend with a semi automatic rifle. In Kerala, the tragedy caused by Cadell Jeanson is not yet washed away from the minds of people. The man is accused for murdering parents, sister and aunt to please Satan. Today, the tendency to challenge the family relations is dramatically in a hike.

A blind man approached Jesus saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me” (Mark 10: 48). Seeing the proclamation and faith, Jesus responded by giving him sight. Not only the blind man, we also often uses this powerful prayer to have mercy on us and on the whole world, calling Him exactly as the blind man called Him.

However, contrary to it, there is another occasion later on where Jesus actually criticizes the scribes for attributing him as ‘Son of David’. He quotes David’s testimony, demanding to be called as ‘Lord’, not as ‘Son’, in a way meaning that how He could become a mere ‘son’ of David. It is certain that we cannot deny that Jesus was from the genealogy of David.  But, why he challenges the family/hereditary relationship? In many instances in the Gospel, Jesus portrays this same behavior.

The reply, which Mother Mary got after finding Jesus in the temple, is a horrific one for our senses. How could ever He Question Mary asking, “Why were you searching for me”? (Lk 2:49) After all, she is his mother. In a similar instance in the Wedding of Cana, Jesus again shakes down mother at first, replying to her demand saying, “Women, what does this have to do with me?”(Jn 2: 4). It really put forth a mark in our minds, thinking really was Mary just a Women for Jesus? Why doesn’t He give prior respect to family relations?

Jesus’ behavior at these certain points is never a license to disrespect our parents, because Jesus never had an agenda to make His parents look down. The above instances are in fact occasions for Him to prove His divinity.  He tries to prove His universality towards all people, not restricting Himself to His own family. Jesus is for all, no matter what you are. He is omniscient, omnipotent and Omni benevolent.

“Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Honor Your Father and mother that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the Land.”(Eph 6:1-3) Even When, He was the Lord, the ruler and the King, He actually subjected Himself to the obedience of His parents. Even though he questioned Mary at first in the temple, later He went with them to Nazareth and paid obedience to them. (Lk2:51) In the wedding of Cana, He may have refuted Mary, but later He performed the miracle even when His time was not yet up.

If God was able to pay respect and honor to His parents, Why we ‘mortal beings’, are not able to do that?  There can be plenty of reasons.  It could from ours’ or also from the parent’s flaws, whatever it may be,  it is our divine obligation to love, respect, accept and be patient to our parents. We should care for our parents because they have cared for us.

One day, a daughter in merry of getting a job, planned to roam around the nation with her old mother. Even though, she was weak she agreed to fly with her. Both were in the flight seated next to each other. Mother was a bit tired that she was not able to eat food for herself. The daughter, regardless of who were watching them, helped in feeding her in the plane by her bare hands. Youngsters looked her with embarrassment. But, it didn’t matter for her at all. The terminal reached, everyone got out of the plane. One old person stopped the lady and the old women and asked ‘you have left something on the plane’.  The Lady tried to recall and checked her bags and belongings but there was nothing to be taken. She replied to him saying ‘no sir’. Old person said,

“You have left us the scroll of love, respect and care which every family should imbibe.”

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Br Bro. Rojan Vattoly, CMI is a Catholic religious priesthood candidate belonging to the order of Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) , currently pursues Baccalaureate studies in English literature, psychology and Media studies in Christ University, Bangalore, India. He has also completed diploma in Philosophy in Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, the pontifical athenaeum, Bangalore. At present, he is the brother-in-charge of Association of Christian Christites, Christ University. A passionate writer and regular blogger. Dream of becoming a novelist, to propagate Gospel through literature.