Dear Parents and Edge Family,
This week at Edge, your son or daughter played some rounds of the game Mother May I. The teaching incorporated an interactive Kahoot and explained to the youth how the fourth commandment shows us the importance of honoring and respecting not only parents and guardians, but also all those who have been given authority. After the teaching, the youth had an opportunity to write an apology letter or a thank you letter to a person in authority in their life whom they wished to honor. At the end of the Edge Night, the youth learned about intercessory prayer and had an opportunity to pray a decade of the rosary to intercede for different authority figures and for youth throughout the world.
Main Ideas:
- God knows that in order for humanity to function properly we need leaders, we need direction, and we need authority figures to help guide us in various activities and help bring order to our lives.
- The first place that God calls us to show respect for authority is in our own families by honoring our parents, or those who have been put in charge of raising us, and respecting them.
- This commandment also extends to showing respect for all of those who have been given a place of authority. We should all work with those in authority to make our communities and countries a better place. (CCC 2234, 2238-2241)
Catechism Reference: “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.” (CCC 2197)
Scripture Reference: “And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:51-52)
Family Reflection Questions:
- What are some examples of people in your life who have authority?
- Why is it important to follow the rules and instruction of your parents, guardians, or the people who are in places of authority?
- What do you think our society, family, or community would look like if no one respected or followed authority?
- Why do you think God asks you to be obedient to your parents, or guardian, as one of the commandments?