Catechism Quote

"You Shall Love Your Neighbor as Yourself"

Catechism #2199

The fourth commandment is addressed expressly to children in their relationship to their father and mother, because this relationship is the most universal. It likewise concerns the ties of kinship between members of the extended family. It requires honor, affection, and gratitude toward elders and ancestors. Finally, it extends to the duties of pupils to teachers, employees to employers, subordinates to leaders, citizens to their country, and to those who administer or govern it.

This commandment includes and presupposes the duties of parents, instructors, teachers, leaders, magistrates, those who govern, all who exercise authority over others or over a community of persons.

As Secular Carmelites this teaching on the fourth commandment helps us to understand our promise of obedience in light of the commandment. We are to be obedient to the Church through the Order, which includes our Provincial (in our locale-Fr. Grennon) and the Council of our community. This means we abide by the decisions the council has made after discussing matters with the entire community. The council should be given due respect. But as the Catechism states, this presupposes the respect on the part of the other party as well.

We cannot go wrong if we remember to treat everyone as Christ. If we play favorites we have a divided heart. Those with a divided heart are far from the reign of God.

Let us pray for each other.

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS