Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:
“‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
(Matthew 15:1-9 ESV)
Our society has developed a whole new approach toward aging parents. Actually, it's not that new at all. We view them as a burden. And often it is something we have been taught by our parents. How many have told their children: "I don't want to be a burden," as if that is the acceptable norm? God knows our selfish bent. Why else would this be the first commandment after our relationship with Him? We develop our own rules for living, which actually are the direct opposite of His; we just make them sound acceptable, even spiritual. Today, as in Jesus' days on earth, it is seen in our financial calculations, which reflect our spiritual reflections. How much will it cost me to honor my parents? Not just in money, but convenience, emotions, tim e. This does not mean we should all quit our day jobs to be 24/7 nurses for the aging. But it does compel us to search our hearts, and our wallets, to determine what is really important.
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