Daily Bread - Day 34

Which is the first commandment with a promise? This: Honour thy father and thy mother, that it may be well with thee; and thou may be long-lived upon the earth. This, as if Saint Paul had said, is a duty of the greatest consequence; distinguished from the other commandments by a special intimation of the favour of God on the observance of it. It is one of the consequences of the particular employment of young people in large manufacturing towns that this great commandment is often sadly disregarded. Obedience, reverence, support, are the duties children owe their parents. I shall confine my remarks to the latter, which includes every kind of assistance that can be given them to render their last days easy and comfortable. It is sad to see old age, which should have only its own infirmities to struggle with, sinking under the pressure of poverty and home discomfort and neglect. The Union is often their refuge, and it is a mercy that such a refuge is provided by the law of the land; and as a general rule, no fault is to be found with the conduct of it. But to keep them from this, and before it is resorted to, and after it is, as may sometimes be best, much may and ought to be done by the sons and daughters to make the closing days of a father or mother's life comfortable and quiet from disturbing cares. There are cheering helps which Christian children should consider it an honour, and happiness as well as a duty, to minister to an aged and feeble parent. These are too often avoided as a burden, not required to be borne by them where there is the Union to take the charge of the aged father or mother, interfering too much with their own occupations, amusements, and indulgences, and so put away altogether. Observe our Lord's strong condemnation of such unnatural behaviour: God said, Honour thy father and mother. But you say, whosoever shall say, the gift whatsoever proceeds from me shall profit thee, and he shall not honour his father or mother, you have made void the commandment of God. And what a deep sense of filial duty must our Saviour have had, when in the agonies of death he said to His Blessed mother, Woman, behold thy son; and to the disciple, Saint John: Behold thy mother. God brings neglect of this commandment as a heavy charge against the Jews. Keep this in mind, and lay it to heart, and prove that you do so by your filial kindness.

- text taken from Daily Bread - Bring a Few Morning Meditations for the Use of Catholic Christians by Father Richard Waldo Sibthorp