Sunday Reflection: Children, value your parents for they are God's gift to you

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(December 29, 2024) Today's First Reading during the Sunday Mass emphasizes family relationships. In paricular, the reading narrates how a child should treat his/her parents (father and mother) especially when they have become old and ill. Every son and daughter must read this Bible reading and reflect on how one has treated or been treating one's parent/s. While we may find in the reading a more reference to the father (Jewish culture in the Old Testament narratives was paternalistic so the emphasis on treatment with the father), the respect and honor must be to both parents, father and mother. God sees everything. One cannot hide from God how one treats one's mother and/or father. And God LISTENS to their prayers. Treat your parents well more than anyone else. We may say that we are not obligated to do so, as the modern more materialistic generations of today would argue; still, our parents deserve all the love, attention, care, and respect that we can give. The priest during the mass I attended made a very inspiring view: while we did not choose our parents, it was God who chose them for us; and that makes our parents a very special gift to us by God. Parents are God's gifts to us. Sometimes we neglect that truth and focused only as "us" being gifts to our parents to take care and nourish. As we value every special gift we receive from others, it is the more important and essential act that we value our parents because, as gifts given to us, the giver was God. What else could be more special than a gift from God?

Please read and reflect on the following Bible narrative.

Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14

For the Lord honours a father above his children, and he confirms a mother’s right over her children. Those who honour their father atone for sins, and those who respect their mother are like those who lay up treasure. Those who honour their father will have joy in their own children, and when they pray they will be heard. Those who respect their father will have long life, and those who honour their mother obey the Lord; My child, help your father in his old age, and do not grieve him as long as he lives; even if his mind fails, be patient with him; because you have all your faculties do not despise him. For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, and will be credited to you against your sins. 

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