#fifth commandment

A. The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to everyone in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals.

Ex. 20:12 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you."

Ep. 5:21-22 "...submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord."

Ep. 6:1,5,9 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right... Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ... Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with Him."

Ro. 13:1 "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God."

You may know that the Ten Commandments are divided into two parts:

Commandments that deal with our relationship with God

Commandments that deal with our relationship with other people

In Christian circles, we group the first four commandments in category #1 and the last six commandments in category #2. Interestingly, I went on a trip to Israel several years ago and learned that in Jewish circles, the first five commandments are grouped in category #1 and the last five commandments in category #2.

I asked my tour guide, “Why is the fifth commandment considered to be a law dealing with our relationship with God?” He replied that parents represented God to their children. In essence, children’s first experience with God would be through their interactions with their parents.

Let’s turn to Exodus 20:12 and read together.

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”

Compare this verse with Deuteronomy 5:12:

“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”

The fifth commandment is the first commandment that is explicitly attached with a promise. Paul reiterated this promise in Ephesians 6:2-3. Family is so important to God that He placed this as the first commandment in dealing with human relationships. As children grow up, they learn to honor their parents. They also learn to honor God by watching how their parents honor God. Children learn to trust in God as they watch their parents trust in God by example. Parents are given the important duty of teaching their children about Jesus and God’s commandments (Deuteronomy 6:7-9; James 3:1).

Some people have questions such as, “What if my parents want me to do something I know is wrong? Would I be breaking the fifth commandment if I disobey them in that regard?” You are not honoring your parents if you commit acts contrary to the will of God or following ungodly examples (Ezekiel 20:18-19; Acts 5:29). If your parents are forcing you to choose between following them or following God, they will be judged accordingly (Acts 4:19).

So how do we honor our parents? We must honor our parents in both words and actions (Matthew 15:3-9). We should respect our parents (Proverbs 1:8) and submit to their guidance and authority, just as Jesus submitted to the will of his parents when he was growing up (Luke 2:51; Colossians 3:20). If we cannot honor our parents, then how can we honor God (1 John 4:20)?

Image via Ebay. By: Gabriela Yareliz I love the movie Guess Who (2005) with Bernie Mack and Ashton Kutcher. The movie shows how, sometimes, the people closest to us and family are the ones who drive us the most crazy. Sometimes, our differences feel amplified. Sometimes, our past feels inescapable. The people closest to us are often closely tied to our trauma and probably the worst versions of…

The Fifth Commandment: You shall not kill.

54 You have heard that it was said to the men of old, "You shall not kill: and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment." But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment. 

IN BRIEF:

2318 "In [God's] hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind" (Job 12:10).

2319 Every human life, from the moment of conception until death, is sacred because the human person has been willed for its own sake in the image and likeness of the living and holy God.

2320 The murder of a human being is gravely contrary to the dignity of the person and the holiness of the Creator.

2321 The prohibition of murder does not abrogate the right to render an unjust aggressor unable to inflict harm. Legitimate defense is a grave duty for whoever is responsible for the lives of others or the common good.

2322 From its conception, the child has the right to life. Direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, is a "criminal" practice (GS 27 § 3), gravely contrary to the moral law. The Church imposes the canonical penalty of excommunication for this crime against human life.

2323 Because it should be treated as a person from conception, the embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed like every other human being.

2324 Intentional euthanasia, whatever its forms or motives, is murder. It is gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator.

2325 Suicide is seriously contrary to justice, hope, and charity. It is forbidden by the fifth commandment.

2326 Scandal is a grave offense when by deed or omission it deliberately leads others to sin gravely.

2327 Because of the evils and injustices that all war brings with it, we must do everything reasonably possible to avoid it. The Church prays: "From famine, pestilence, and war, O Lord, deliver us."

2328 The Church and human reason assert the permanent validity of the moral law during armed conflicts. Practices deliberately contrary to the law of nations and to its universal principles are crimes.

2329 "The arms race is one of the greatest curses on the human race and the harm it inflicts on the poor is more than can be endured" (GS 81 § 3).

2330 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Mt 5:9).

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"Needing to go to Confession is like needing to check in with a doctor regarding our physical health.  We cannot afford to neglect spiritual doctoring of our souls anymore than we can afford to neglect a physical doctor of our bodies.  The Sacrament of Penance also works for a healthy life.  Mature and healthy men are men who can take themselves to task, recognize their mistakes and take aim to correct those mistakes for the sake of positive connections with their spouse, their children, their friends, the people they work with and, therefore our God. ...

 .. Check your parish confession schedule or some parish, shrine or oratory that has a regular confession schedule."

~ Bishop Joseph Perry - Haven’t Been to Confession In A While?

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Reference: The Ten Commandments from USCCB

The Morning Devotional: WSC Q65-66

The Morning Devotional for August 31, 2021 The Westminster Shorter Catechism Q63-64 Question 65 What is forbidden in the fifth commandment? The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing any thing against, the honor and duty which belongeth to every one in their several places and relations. (Matt. 15:4–6, Ezek. 34:2–4, Rom. 13:8) Question 66 What is the reason annexed to the fifth…

The Morning Devotional: WSC Q63-64

The Morning Devotional for August 31, 2021 The Westminster Shorter Catechism Q63-64 Question 63 Which is the fifth commandment? The fifth commandment is, Honour thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. (Exod. 20:12) Question 64 What is required in the fifth commandment? The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honor, and…

A. The reason annexed to the fifth commandment is, a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve for God's glory and their own good), to all such as keep this commandment.

Ex. 20:12 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you."

A. The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing anything against, the honor and duty which belongeth to everyone in their several places and relations.

Ex. 20:12 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you."

Ep. 6:2-4 ""'Honor your father and mother' (this is the first commandment with a promise), 'that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.' Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

Pr. 10:1 "A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother."