The fourth commandment of God’s law instructs us to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy: six days are designated for work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath dedicated to the Lord your God. The Old Testament highlights the Sabbath as a significant observance. In the commandment, God emphasizes, "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy: six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work" (Exodus 20:8-10). There is an account where the Israelites discovered a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath, which led them to bring him before Moses and Aaron. God instructed Moses to let the man die for this transgression (Numbers 15:32-36).
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From the Scriptures, we find two main reasons for the institution of the Sabbath. The first is expressed in the following verse: "For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it" (Exodus 20:11). This indicates that the Sabbath was blessed and sanctified by God at the very beginning of creation, commemorating the divine act of creation. The blessing was not limited to the Jewish people since humanity, through Adam, was the sole ancestor at that time, making the Sabbath a universal commandment for all people. Thus, this commandment carries the same weight as any of the Ten Commandments.
The second reason for honoring the Sabbath pertains to the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt: "And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched-out arm: therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day" (Deuteronomy 5:15). While this bears particular significance for the Jewish people, the apostles recognized a parallel—the deliverance of humanity from sin and death through Christ's sacrifice. This event transpired before the Sabbath, while the resurrection of Christ on the day following—the first day of the week—was pivotal. As a result, the observance of the Sabbath was transitioned by the apostles to this first day, commemorated as the Lord's Day or simply, Resurrection Day.
During the earthly ministry of Jesus, the Jewish authorities imposed strict regulations regarding Sabbath observance, even regarding acts of healing, labeling Him a violator. Conversely, some Christians today have diminished the significance of Sunday observance, treating it similarly to any other workday, which is a misuse of the day.
On Sundays and feast days, we should dedicate ourselves to the Lord by setting aside earthly responsibilities: judges should abstain from court, teachers from lessons, merchants from trade, artisans from their crafts, and farmers from their fields, instead engaging in works that honor God. The foremost of these actions is prayer, particularly through communal worship. Neglecting to attend church on holy days, failing to offer praise and thanks to God for His blessings, constitutes serious neglect. Therefore, it is essential for Christians to gather for prayer in God’s house on these days. The historical devotion of early Christians serves as an example; they often convened in temples to pray and hear God’s Word, despite adversity and restrictions.
An illustrative story from that time recounts how Emperor Valens sought to exterminate a large assembly of Christians. Despite forewarned of impending danger, many believers still gathered. Remarkably, a woman hurried to the assembly with her child, desiring to join her fellow believers even in the face of death. When questioned why she carried her infant, she expressed her wish for them both to be honored in martyrdom. Such was the fervor of the early church's members! In contrast, we live in an era of relative freedom but often neglect church attendance.
Furthermore, on holy days, it is commendable for us to extend kindness to others—supporting the needy, comforting the sorrowful, aiding the ill, and visiting those in prison. The early church was known for such deeds. One example is Saint Martha, who provided for the hungry, visited the sick, and for those in need of care. Another was Brother Isaiah, who, on feast days, made it his mission to establish hospices to serve the poor. This kind of charity is a noble pursuit that we too should adopt; contributing even small amounts to those in need on special days honors God.
After participating in God's service at church, it is beneficial to return home and share a meal with one’s family, discussing the Gospel readings and the teachings learned in worship. Taking time to read the Bible or the lives of saints can enrich the soul and lead to a peaceful evening, resulting in a refreshed spirit to engage in daily tasks the next day.
Yet, the reality is that many do not observe this sacred time as prescribed. Instead of dedicating holidays to God, they often succumb to frivolous pursuits, indulgence, or even sinful behaviors. It is a grave matter for Christians to squander holy days in such a fashion.
The fifth commandment of God’s law is to honor your father and mother so that you may have a long and prosperous life on the earth. Let us now elucidate this commandment, which is often misunderstood and inadequately observed by many.
What does it mean to fulfill our sacred obligation to our parents, as indicated by the command to honor them? It requires us to nurture within our souls a profound sense of respect and veneration for our parents. They are God’s chosen instruments in our lives; it is through them that we have received life and all that we are. Thus, honoring our parents is tantamount to honoring the Creator Himself. The greatness of our parents warrants the utmost reverence; therefore, we must treat them with not only civility but also with heartfelt esteem, as we would treat our most distinguished guests. The wise son of Sirach instructs us: "Honor thy father and mother in deed and word; that blessing may come upon thee from them" (Sirach 3:8). Their wishes should be sacred to us, and we ought to obey them in all matters, provided their requests do not contravene our faith or God’s laws, demonstrating diligence and fidelity. St. Paul the Apostle exhorts, "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord" (Colossians 3:20). The sage son of Sirach teaches us to be intercessors for our parents in their old age (Sirach 3:12).
It may seem sufficient to state, "Honor your father and mother," but can one disregard the commands of God? Is not the duty to honor one’s parents inherently sacred? Yet, God deemed it appropriate to accompany this command with the promise, "that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest live long on the earth." This underscores the importance of honoring parents in the sight of God. The Lord encourages children to fulfill this duty by promising them a prosperous, longer life. Indeed, the success of the family greatly relies on the reverence shown to parents, and in turn, the welfare of families impacts the entire community, for the state itself can be seen as a larger family under the authority of its king. Blessed be you, the Lord declares; may you live long upon the earth. The Lord assures every honorable child of prosperity and longevity, bestowed through their parents’ blessings.
You all know the sacred tradition whereby parents bless their children. Is a parent's blessing insignificant? The wise son of Sirach advises, "Honor thy father and thy mother, that thou mayest find blessing from them." Parental blessings serve as a wellspring of good for children and a significant gift from God. Reflect on the blessing Noah imparted to Japheth: "May God enlarge Japheth," and observe how this blessing has endured through the ages, manifesting strongly among Japheth’s descendants, the Europeans, who have spread their influence and culture throughout the world.
This sacred practice of parental blessing remains relevant today. Children who honor their parents can expect promises of happiness in their parents’ blessings. Currently, a father’s blessing establishes a child’s home. However, when children fail to honor their parents, disobey them, or act with disdain, they invite upon themselves a curse entwined with misfortunes and death, both temporal and eternal. "Cursed by the Lord is he that vexes his mother" (Sirach 3:16). "He who speaks ill of his father or mother, let him die the death" (Exodus 21:16).
Furthermore, the fifth commandment extends to honoring those who stand in the stead of our parents, such as rulers, clergy, and educators. Let us discuss how we ought to honor these figures. The sovereign, as the father of the nation, is appointed by God to lead His people, establish laws, protect their well-being, and guide them toward righteousness. The authority of a king, conferred by God Himself, must be respected, as it is written: "By me kings reign" (Proverbs 8:15). The Apostle Peter admonishes us to honor the king, "Fear God, honor the king" (1 Peter 2:17), suggesting that we should love and esteem our earthly sovereign as we would a father, ready to make any sacrifice, including our lives, for them.
Shepherds and teachers, as guides to our eternal salvation and dispensers of divine gifts, deserve our respect. They are chosen by God to instruct us in faith, pray for us, and enlighten us through holy sacraments. Their authority on earth is unparalleled: "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven" (Matthew 18:18). The Apostle instructs us: "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are watching over your souls" (Hebrews 13:17). The Lord declared, "He who hears you hears me" (Luke 10:16).
Those in authority, despite their shared humanity, should also be revered because their power arises from God’s will, and they seek our welfare. "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God" (Romans 13:1-2).
Lastly, nature dictates that we honor the elders among us. They stand as fathers to the younger generations, possessing wisdom and experience beyond mere age. Hence, the Word of God commands us to respect our elders. The Apostle Paul instructs us: "Do not rebuke an elder, but encourage him as you would a father" (1 Timothy 5:1-2). God, speaking through Moses, reminds us to revere the elderly (Leviticus 19:32).
Notice, dear brethren, the multitude of fathers we have beyond our biological parents, whom we are also bound to honor in observing the fifth commandment of divine law. We must not believe that any Christian ruler, or parent, could prescribe anything contrary to our faith or the law of God, nor any action harmful to our homeland. If such a situation arises, we should remain loyal to God and His Word, choosing to decline any such will, emulating the holy apostles who defied the Jewish authorities forbidding them to preach the Gospel of Christ, boldly stating, "It is fitting to obey God rather than man" (Acts 5:29).
As to how children can demonstrate love for their parents, honoring them is a command from God, as well as a demand of conscience and common sense.
Firstly, children are to show their love by obeying their parents. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right" (Ephesians 6:1). There is no greater fairness than for children to hearken to the counsel of their parents, who have their children's best interests at heart. Parental guidance, including discipline, arises from a profound desire for their well-being. Parents strive to mold their children into wise and virtuous individuals, seeking to diminish any harmful tendencies they may perceive. Thus, children should receive parental advice and correction with gratitude, regardless of their own feelings about it. It is indeed grievous for children to respond to their parents with disrespect or contempt, adopting the attitudes of the contemporary world that reject tradition. Such actions cause deep sorrow to parents and invoke divine displeasure.
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