Lesson 19:

Learning to Begin Early

(THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT:
“Honor your father and your mother.”)

“Son, do what your father tells you and never forget what your mother taught you. Keep their words with you
always, locked in your heart.”
(Proverbs 6: 20-22)
“Children, it is your Christian duty to obey your parents, for this is the right thing to do. Respect your father
and mother is the first commandment that has a promise added: do that you all may go well with you, and you
may live a long time in the land.”
(Ephesians 6: 1-3)

Graces to beg for:

Creed/Aral: Discuss the duties of children toward their parents as enjoined by the Fourth Commandment
Code/Asal: Foster gratitude, respect, obedience and care for parents
: Plan and cooperate in putting quality time with the family to make it a “school of discipleship”
Cult/Dasal: Pray with praise for the gift of family

1
Opening Song:

ONLY SELFLESS LOVE

I.
Today in the world where life is born there’s a
struggle that is fought
To be welcomed, to be cared for, to be at home
Today, when all life seems bought and used
there’s a struggle to belong
To be free and to be a gift to everyone
Chorus:
We call all families rise up and raise your hands as
one.
Come show the world the love that binds all
God’s children into one.
We call all families share the treasure that’s in
your hands
What can save us now? What can lead us now?
What can make us all be one?
Only selfless love, Jesus show the world that only
selfless love.
Can bring a hundred fold of fathers, mothers,
brothers, sisters, homes
Where peace and mercy reign, where faith and
hope remain.
Where life begins and ends in God’s embrace
Calling all families let’s make it happen through
only selfless love.
II.
Like the Holy Family with Jesus, Joseph and Mary
Home is where true love begins, love rejoices,
love embraces. (Chorus)
Calling all families let’s make it happen through
only selfless love.

I. OPENING
The family is not only where new citizens of human society are born, but by the grace of the Holy
Spirit received in Baptism these are made children of God, thus perpetuating the People of God through
the centuries, PCP II calls the family “the Church in the home,” “the basic unit of Christian life”, the first
school of discipleship” (PCP 11 Decrees, CFC 1014). It is in the family that we learn to follow Christ and
exercise the Christian virtues especially active charity, mutual forgiveness and obedience, prayer and
thanksgiving.

II. CONTEXT
The concern for the family is one of the strong points of the Filipinos. It has also its weak side.
Parents spend much of their time earning a living for the family that they can hardly spend quality time
with their children. Consequently the children hardly get to have the necessary human and Christian
formation in the crucial moments of their growth.

Learner’s Activity
FAMILY AUTOGRAPH
Fill out the format of an autograph book. Answer each section of the activity sheet as honestly as
possible. Include also a recent family picture. When you have accomplished this, share what you have
written with your classmates/parents. End the sharing by praying for one another.

PERSONAL DATA
NAME OF THE FAMILY BIRTHDAY OF THE FAMILY
(PARENTS’ WEDDING DAY)

ADDRESS: CP NUMBER:
FATHER: OCCUPATION:

2
MOTHER: OCCUPATION:
CHILDREN AGE
(FROM ELDEST TO YOUNGEST)

HOBBIES:
FAVE GIMMICK PLACE:
FAMILY MOTTO:
A FAMILY OF LOVE
We express love in our family by…

We can express our love another more by not…

A FAMILY OF BONDING
The most memorable time we spent together was…

We enjoy time with each other by…

A FAMILY OF RESPECT
I honor and respect my parents by…

I honor and respect my sibling/s by…(For those who have sibling/s)

FAMILY PHOTO

III. EXPOSITION
From our activity, we have recalled and reflected our own family. Thus, our lesson focuses on the
duties of children toward their parents as required by God through the Fourth Commandment.
Catechism for Catholic Church 2197 declares that the fourth commandment opens the second table
of the Decalogue. It shows us the order of charity. God has willed that, after him, we should honor our
parents to whom we owe life and who have handed on to us the knowledge of God. We are obliged to
honor and respect all those whom God, for our good, has vested with his authority. In addition, this
commandment carries a promise that when we honor our parents; our stay on earth will be extended. This
promise does not refer only to physical stay on earth but long after we have left the earth and gone to
heaven, our good works will still be reminisced and be a good example to those who come after us.

The Family, Context of the Fourth Commandment

3
 Families are of primary importance as center of living faith. Christ himself chose to be born and
grow up in the holy family of Joseph and Mary. It is in the bosom of the family and parents by word and
example transmit the faith and basic human formation (cf CCC 1655-1656).
Authority, stability and life of relationships within the family constitute the foundations of freedom,
security and fraternity within society. Initiation to life in society begins in the family.

God has willed that after Him, we should honor our parents to whom we owe life and who have
handed on to us the knowledge of God. We are obliged to honor and respect all those whom God, for our
good has vested with his authority. Such is the provision of the Fourth Commandment (CCC 2197). It
demands filial respect for parents. Jesus himself gave us an example when “he went down with them and
came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them… Jesus progressed steadily in wisdom and age and grace
before God and men (cf CFC 1021-1022).
To “honor” is to show proper gratitude, affection, respect, obedience and care to parents (CFC
1023). The Commandment addresses mainly children in relation to their parents, this being the most
universal relationship, but it extends to elders and ancestors. Furthermore, it also extends to the duties of
pupils/students to teachers, employees to employers, subordinates to leaders, citizens to their country and
those who administer or govern it (cf CCC 2199).

This fourth 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 (cf CCC 2199).
The Commandment enjoins parents Obligations of respect
to care and Childrentheir children. They have to provide for
their children’s needs: education, guidance in faith and morals, an environment conducive to their physical,
physical, emotional and spiritual growth. As they grow older, parents are called to promote their growing
autonomy and independence (CFC1026).
Observing this Commandment brings reward: provides spiritual and temporal fruits of peace and
prosperity, “Honor your father and mother, that it may go well with you, and that you may have a long life
on earth” (Eph 6: 1-3). Failure to observe it brings great harm to communities and individuals (CCC 2200).

Obligations of Parents and Legitimate Authority

4
Christian Witness:
They are perfect example of responsible and model parents. They showed authentic faith towards
union with God. Further, they led Mary to be obedient disciple.

St. Joachim & St. Anne

SAINTS JOACHIM AND ANNE are venerated by the
Church as the parents of the Virgin Mary. All information
about the two saints comes from the Gospel of James, an
apocryphal book of the second century.
Saints Joachim and Anne were both from the royal
house of David and the tribe of Judah.
They came from galilee, but settled in Jerusalem where
Mary, the Blessed Mother of God, was born and grew up.
The holy couple was also buried in the same place.
Anne, whose name means Grace, was probably informed
by an angel that the daughter she was about to conceive
would be spoken of in the entire world. Early Christian
Churches were dedicated to her, and the early Christians
loved to talk about St. Anne’s sanctity and the grace for
being the mother of Mary. Saint Joachim was a holy man who is often represented as teaching his little
daughter Mary to read th Scriptures.
In the fourth century, St. Helena built a Church, on the site of the home of Saints Joachim and Anne.

Process Questions:
1. How do St. Joachim and St. Anne carry their responsibilities as a parent?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Does your parent demonstrate the sense of responsibility towards their children like those of St.
Joachim and St. Anne? How?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

IV. INTEGRATION

Our faith safeguards reverence for parents are grounded on the dignity of human life in God the
Creator, Redeemer and Holy Spirit. The Fourth Commandment enjoins basic filial respect for parents which
is necessary for the good of the family and the community. The same Commandment enjoins the parents
to care and respect their children; provide for their needs and proper education as Christians.

The family as “covenant” is a community of love … all members are rooted in the natural bonds of
flesh and blood and the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Learner’s Activity
Creed/Aral: GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
A. Spend time to watch this touching video clip about “MY DAD STORY-DREAM FOR HER
CHILD” (https://bit.ly/3JSGxw0). Make a graphic organizer about the sacrifice of the father to his lovely
girl.

5
 B. Visit old people in your community and ask them for some wise sayings about honoring
parents. Also, ask them about this saying, “Kung ano ang ginawa mo sa iyong magulang, ganoon din
ang gagawin sa’yo ng inyong mga anak sa iyong pag tanda.”
C. Read and explain the message of Sirach 3:1-16 on Paying Due Respect to Parents.

MESSAGE OF SIRACH 3:1-16

Code/Asal: LOVE CARD

Make a love card for your parents that expresses honor, respect and thanksgiving to their
sacrifices they have done for your family. Also, ask forgiveness for all mistakes/sins you have done to
them. As evidence, upon giving to your parents, you will take a picture, print it and pass to the teacher.
FAMILY INVOLVEMENT:
Make a unique plan with your Family Reunion:
Examples:
- Ask your parents that as family you visit the farthest and oldest member of your family clan
(whom you seldom see because of distance) and bring her/his favorite food. (Some practical tips: save
tour little money for this trip).
- Research from your relatives to fill up a big poster showing your family tree with complete names
of your grandparents up to their own grandparents.
- Visit the distant especially sick relatives.

Cult/Dasal: A. Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) WITH YOUR FAMILY

B. PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY

PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY

God our loving Father,
It was Your will that we are born in this world
through our parents. We thank You

6
 for Your wisdom and love with You share
with them in doing their duties.
They do try within their capacity and
Assisted by Your grace to nurture us.
We ask You to continue to bless them
With patience, understanding and wisdom
in dealing with us their children.
And to us, their children, we humbly ask
the grace to respect, obey, love and care for them.
Make our lives worthy of You by living up
to the Christian values they taught us.
And finally, may not remember of our family be lost
in the Family Reunion with You, forever.
Amen.

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE FOR THE 4TH COMMANDMENT

 Did I disobey or disrespect my parents or legitimate superhero?
 Did I disrespect teachers, policemen, and civil authorities?
 Did I neglect my duties to my family members, especially the elderly and the sick?
 Did I provide for a dignified burial for my beloved departed, and remember to pray for their
eternal rest?

V. REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. The obligation to honor parents: Children should show respect to their parents in their parents in their
speech and actions. Give real examples.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Children are bound to aid their parents when they are in need: Can you name some concrete persons
you know who sacrifice themselves to take care of their parents in need?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Obligation of parents to children: Is it enough duty that parents spend their time for making money for
the sake of the family? Why or not?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Discuss about “cruel kindness” of parents playing favoritism among the children.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

5. What do you think of parents who go away from their families, especially abroad, to get higher salaries
to provide better future to their children?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

6. How should parents shape the character of their children: By sending them to good schools? Discipline
of work and study at home? Good example? Religious practices?
7
_________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Explain: “The family that prays together stays together.”

_________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

Closing Song:
THANKS TO YOU
Tyler Collins
A Tribute Song
(for all parents, guardians, teachers, authorities and all who take the role of a father and a mother)

I. Thank you, for teaching me how to love Showing me how to give

Showing me what the world means And how to take
What I’ve been dreamin’ of No mistake
And now I know, there is nothing that I could not We were put here together (thanks to you)
do And if I breakdown
Thanks to you Forgive me but it’s true (thanks to you)
That I’m aching with the love I feel inside
II. For teaching me how to feel Thanks to you
Showing me my emotions
Letting me know what’s real
From what is not
What I’ve got is more that I’d ever hoped for
And a lot of what I hope for is
Thanks to you

Chorus:
No mountain, no valley
No time, no space
No heartache, no heartbreak
No fall from grace
Can’t stop me from believing
That my love will pull me through
Thanks to you

There’s no mountain, no valley

No time, no space
No heartache, no heartbreak
No fall from grace
Can’t stop me from believing
That my love will see me through
Thanks to you
Thanks to you…

III. For teaching me how to live

Putting things in perspective
8