Fourth Commandment

The numbers in parenthese that follow the questions refer to related paragraphs in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Fourth Commandment

1. What is the fourth commandment of God?
2. What does Jesus teach about the fourth commandment?
3. What does the fourth commandment require of us?
4. What does the fourth commandment forbid?
5. What is the source of parental authority?
6. How do children show love and respect for their parents?
7. Are we obliged to respect and obey others besides our parents?
8. Are children obliged to obey their parents about their choice of a state in life?
9. What duties do adults owe their parents?
10. What are the duties of parents toward their children?
11. How can parents foster family unity?
12. Are we obliged to obey civil laws when they are contrary to God's law?
13. What are the duties of citizens toward their country?
14. What are the principal civil duties?

1. What is the fourth commandment of God?
The fourth commandment of God is:

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long on the land which the Lord your God gives you (Ex 20:12).

2. What does Jesus teach about the fourth commandment?
Jesus lived this commandment:

Then he went down with them and went to Nazareth, and he was subject to them (Lk 2:51).

3. What does the fourth commandment require of us?
The fourth commandment obliges us to love our parents, respect and obey them in all that is not contrary to God's law and help them in their needs. It presupposes that parents and all others in authority will fulfill their duties justly. (2197)

4. What does the fourth commandment forbid?
The fourth commandment forbids all disrespect, unkindness, stubbornness, spitefulness, hatred and disobedience toward our parents and lawful authorities.

5. What is the source of parental authority?
God himself is the source of parental authority, so children have a strict moral obligation to obey and care for their parents. (2214)

Remember, my son, that she [your mother] faced many dangers for you while you were yet unborn (Tob 4:4).

6. How do children show love and respect for their parents?
Children show love and respect for their parents when they give them gratitude, love and care, readily accept corrections, seek advice in important decisions, patiently bear with their parents' faults, and pray for them. (2215-2216)

With all your heart honor your father, and do not forget the birth pangs of your mother. Remember that through your parents you were born; and what can you give back to them that equals their gift to you? (Sir 7:27-28).

7. Are we obliged to respect and obey others besides our parents?
Besides our parents, the fourth commandment obliges us to respect and obey our teachers and lawful superiors, civil and ecclesiastical, when they discharge their official duties in conformity with the law of God. We also owe particular gratitude to grandparents, godparents, family members, pastors and friends. (2199-2220)

Every person should be subject to the governing authorities. For all authority comes from God and the existing authorities have been appointed by God. Therefore, whoever resists authority resists God's order, and those who resist will bring judgment upon themselves (Rom 13:1-2).

8. Are children obliged to obey their parents about their choice of a state in life?
Children should ordinarily ask their parents' advice about their choice of a state in life, but they are free to make their own decisions. Parents must not force their children in this matter, but encourage them to welcome the Lord's call, whether to marriage, the single life, priesthood or religious life. (2230, 2232-2233)

Whoever loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me (Mt 10:37).

9. What duties do adults owe their parents?
Adults continue to owe love and respect to their parents. If possible, grown children must help their needy parents materially and morally, especially in old age, illness or other difficulties. (2218)

For a man's glory comes from honoring his father, and it is a disgrace for children not to respect their mother (Sir 3:11).

10. What are the duties of parents toward their children?
Parents must love their children, have them baptized, provide for their emotional, spiritual and physical needs, instruct them and give them a Christian education, train them by word and example in the practice of Christian virtue, and counsel and guide them in forming a correct moral conscience. (2221-2229)

Fathers, do not cause your children to resent you; instead, raise them by instructing and admonishing them as the Lord would (Eph 6:4).

11. How can parents foster family unity?
Parents can foster family unity by family prayer and by loving each other and their children. (2226)

12. Are we obliged to obey civil laws when they are contrary to God's law?
If the civil law obliges citizens to violate the law of God, they must refuse to obey. (2242)

We have to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).

13. What are the duties of citizens toward their country?
The principal duties of citizens toward their country are to respect civil authority and obey just laws, that is, conscientiously fulfill all civil duties. (2239)

Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's (Lk 20:25).

14. What are the principal civil duties?
The principal civil duties are to pay taxes; to defend one's country, even at the cost of one's life; to fulfill one's duty of voting; to work for and support laws which protect Christian morals and the common good. Insofar as possible, Catholics must vote for people whose beliefs and programs are truly beneficial to everyone. (2240)

Pay everyone what you owe-taxes to the tax collectors, customs duties to the customs officials; respect those to whom it is due, honor those to whom honor is due (Rom 13:7).

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