"Honour Thy Father and Thy Mother"

[Thomas_Dowd]

Could the fourth commandment possibly mean, rather than biological parents, God the Father, and the Church (or perhaps the Virgin Mary)? This idea is supported by Matthew 10:34-36 - “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her motherinlaw— a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.”

However, on the other hand, the family unit is also the domestic church, so perhaps this issue instigates discussion?

 

[Della]

I have never heard the 4th Commandment used as reason to support the Church and honor the Blessed Virgin. I suppose one could think of it that way, but it’s certainly not the meaning the author had in writing it down. It goes beyond the idea of the domestic Church, I think to the virtue of being grateful to the people who brought you into the world and cared for you when you were helpless. If only more people took this commandment seriously by visiting their elderly parents in nursing homes, for example. We are commanded not to forget them when they are weak and in need of support when they are no longer able to care for themselves.

 

[diggerdomer]

Could the fourth commandment possibly mean, rather than biological parents, God the Father, and the Church (or perhaps the Virgin Mary)?

No, at least not to the original author and community. And the Catholic Church does not teach that we need to interpret it that way.

You can interpret it that way if you want.

 

[juliamajor]

Neither Exodus 20:12 nor Mt 10:34-36 can be altered to fit that concept.

 

[Mark77]

"While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Mt 12: 46-50)

Thomas, thank you, very interesting idea!

i have never thought of this idea, but Sacred Scripture is so infinitely deep we must open our heart to the beauty of Jesus Christ!

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Ora Pro Nobis Peccatoribus!

mark

 

[Timbothefiveth]

I think that it probably just means what it says. It was, after all, a commandment given originally to the Hebrews.