459. What are the duties of children toward their parents? (part 2 continuation)
(Comp 459 repetition) Children owe respect (filial piety), gratitude, docility and obedience
to their parents. In paying them respect and in fostering good relationships
with their brothers and sisters, children contribute to the growth in harmony
and holiness in family life in general. Adult children should give their
parents material and moral support whenever they find themselves in situations
of distress, sickness, loneliness, or old age.
“In brief”
(CCC 2251) Children owe their
parents respect, gratitude, just obedience, and assistance. Filial respect
fosters harmony in all of family life.
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 2217) As long as a child lives at home with his
parents, the child should obey his parents in all that they ask of him when it
is for his good or that of the family. "Children, obey your parents in
everything, for this pleases the Lord" (Col 3:20; cf. Eph 6:1). Children
should also obey the reasonable directions of their teachers and all to whom
their parents have entrusted them. But if a child is convinced in conscience
that it would be morally wrong to obey a particular order, he must not do so.
As they grow up, children should continue to respect their parents. They should
anticipate their wishes, willingly seek their advice, and accept their just
admonitions. Obedience toward parents ceases with the emancipation of the
children; not so respect, which is always owed to them. This respect has its
roots in the fear of God, one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Reflection
(CCC 2219) Filial respect promotes harmony in all of family
life; it also concerns relationships
between brothers and sisters. Respect toward parents fills the home with
light and warmth. "Grandchildren are the crown of the aged" (Prov
17:6). "With all humility and meekness, with patience, [support] one
another in charity" (Eph 4:2). [IT CONTINUES]
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