Duties
to parents
“Never seek honor
for yourself at your father’s expense; it is not to your credit if he is
dishonored. Your own honor comes from the respect that you show to your father.
If children do not honor their mothers, it is their own disgrace. My son, take
care of your father when he grows old; give him no cause for worry as long as
he lives. Be sympathetic even if his mind fails him; don’t look down on him
just because you are strong and healthy. The Lord will not forget the kindness
you showed to your father; it will help you to make up for your sins. When you
are in trouble, the Lord will remember your kindness and will help you; your
sins will melt away like frost in warm sunshine. Whoever abandons his parents
or gives them cause for anger may as well be cursing the Lord; he is already
under the Lord’s curse. (Sirach 3:10-16)