5. Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother

5. Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother

From the cradle of the world the Creator set this commandment as the first with promise:
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee” (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16).
Our Lord Himself confirmed it (Matthew 19:19), and St Paul declared it the first commandment that carrieth a blessing (Ephesians 6:2-3).

Even when parents be imperfect (as all flesh is), their place in the divine order remaineth sacred.
St John Chrysostom (†407) and St Augustine (†430) taught that the honour due to parents is second only to that due to God, for through them we received the very gift of life and the first knowledge of the Creator.

Therefore:

• Speak to them with reverence, even in disagreement.
• Succour them in age and infirmity, for “despise not thy mother when she is old” (Proverbs 23:22).
• Pray daily for their souls, living or departed.

He who curseth father or mother, “his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness” (Proverbs 20:20).
But he who honoureth them shall find the path to happiness lengthened and brightened.

6. Set a Good Example in All Things

As the sun by its mere rising compelleth the flowers to open, so doth a virtuous life silently move others toward the good.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

St Gregory the Great (†604) wrote:
“The life of a good man is a sermon more powerful than any tongue.”
St Anthony of the Desert (†356) converted multitudes without uttering a word, merely by the radiance of his ascetic life.

Wherefore:

• If thou keepest the commandments openly, others will be drawn to imitate thee.
• If thou fallest, rise quickly and publicly amend thy life, for a humble return to virtue converteth more souls than unbroken perfection.

The hypocrite is a stumbling-block; the sincere penitent is a beacon.
Choose thou the beacon.

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