Matthew 15:1-9 Honoring Our Parents

Observation: the Pharisees come after Jesus' disciples for not washing before they eat. Remember, nobody knew about germs, this was just about religious purity. It's a "gotcha" moment for them, or so they think. But Jesus reminds the Pharisees that they, too, are breaking God's law by abandoning their elderly parents in order to study religion.

Application: Usually when I talk about the Fourth Commandment, I'm talking to middle school aged kids. It's a quick talk: "God says don't sass your parents and teachers, OK?" But this year I got the chance to revisit that same commandment with an adult class, many of whom are caring for elderly parents and in law's, and some of whom have already said goodbye to them. It's a very different discussion.  This is the only commandment with a promised positive result: "honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." As many Confirmation teachers have joked about this--"Your parents brought you into this world, they can take you out"--Jesus' teaching on this commandment isn't about killing. It's about extending life spans throughout a community. It's creating a space where families stick together through life, and care for the vulnerable both at the beginning and at the end.

My grandma Jahn just celebrated her 84th Birthday. She has been struggling with dementia for some years now. It was a joy this past June to visit her with my mom and my wife and kids. Maggie treated her to a rousing rendition of "This Little Light of Mine". I can't think of this commandment anymore without thinking of my parents, aunts and uncles, faithfully visiting my grandma, calling her and setting her at ease as best they can. This is what family looks like.

Prayer: God, thank you for life. Thank you for family. Thanks that we're not in this alone. Amen.