DARE TO CARE

Dr. KOSHY MATHEW, Mumbai

PROVIDE MATERIAL NEEDS

The word “honour” in the scriptures not only refers to ones mental assent but also material assistance. Paul exhorts Timothy to give “double honour” to elders who labour in the word; “double hounour” includes material assistance. In Proverb 3:9 we read “Honour the Lord with thy substance”. So honour your parents includes meeting their material needs.

Lord Jesus Christ rebuked Pharisees for not taking care of their parents. They encouraged people to give financial assistance to the various temple services than caring parents. Jesus Christ taught them that, spiritual services at the cost of caring the parents are not acceptable before God. By following man made traditions they violated the commandments of God. (Matt. 15:4; Mk. 7:11-13).

It is the duty of children to care parents. When we were children they provided all our needs, according to their ability. By taking care of parents at their old age, we repay them for what they have done to us. Timothy received this instruction from Paul; “learn….. to requite (repay) parents; for that is good and acceptable before God” (1 Tim. 5:4).Our good services to parents are acceptable before God. If parents are financially sound at least we can give then some gifts at special occasions like birthdays, wedding anniversary etc. They love to have it.

VISIT AND PRAY FOR THEM

Loneliness is the agonizing experience of old age. A feeling of “not wanted”. Visits of children and grand children can give them renewed strength.

Joseph with his two sons visited Jacob at his sick bed. Jacob was told, the arrival of Joseph, “Israel strengthened himself and sat upon the bed” (Gen. 48:1-2). A man at his death bed when heard the arrival of his son and grand children got strength to sit upon the bed. Our visits strengthen elderly parents; even can cure their sickness.

The author had a great love for grand parents. This was ingrained in my heart by my parents. In my childhood they insisted me to pray for them. Even now there is not a single day I missed to pray for my parents. Our presence, prayer and touch all have an impact for their well being. 

JESUS CHRIST OUR ROLE MODEL 

Jesus Christ is our role model in all the areas of our life. Even from His childhood, obeyed parents and gave due honour to them (Lk. 2:50-52). On the cross, in the midst of excruciating pain he remembered His mother’s welfare. He never desired to shun himself from responsibility. He called His beloved disciple John and entrusted His mother under His care (Jn. 19:26-27). By this time Mary was above 50 years of age. None can say, “I am in the midst of extreme sufferings that I cannot care for my parents”. We have no excuse for not seeking the welfare of our parents.

HONOURABLE BURIALS 

Bible gives much importance to burial. Many of the Kings of Israel did not get a honourable burial because of their misdeeds. Person who gets a respectable burial is considered as a blessed man. (2 Chr. 32:33; 26:23; 24:16, 25).

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their wives were all honoured at their burial. Roman authorities decided to give a mean criminal’s burial to Christ, but heaven intervened and gave Him a royal burial (Isa. 53:9; Matt. 27:57-60; Jn. 19:38-41).

It is children’s duty to give a honourable burial to parents. It is   said about Abraham, “his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah” (Gen. 25:9). “Isaac died being old and full of age; his sons Esau and Jacob buried him” Gen. 35:29). When Jacob died, “Joseph fell upon his father’s face, and kissed him.”  Then it is mentioned “his sons carried him into the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah”. (Gen.46:4; 50:1, 13). All the patriarchs were honoured at the time of their burial.

Solomon narrates a story of an unfortunate man. “If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he”. (Eccl. 6:3 cp. Jer. 22:19).

‘FINALLY BRETHREN’

Today, we are young: tomorrow we may have to pass through the same experience of our parents. Our children are watching carefully how we honour our parents.

On that day Jack, a small boy was watching everything carefully. It was first time in his life he saw death. His grand pa is no more. He was sick for quiet long time. But it happened suddenly in the night. In the morning household realized that grand pa is no more. Near and dear ones came. Many offered wreaths and expressed condolence. By evening silence crept in. Jack slowly entered into grand pa’s room. He saw a plate kept at the corner, in which grand pa use to have his food. He washed, wiped and about to pack it carefully. Suddenly his Dad noticed what Jack was doing. He asked “Jack what are you doing”.  Jack calmly but firmly replied “I am packing grand pa’s plate”. “Why do you need it” Daddy asked. “Daddy it’s for you, when you get old; can use it”.

Whatever we do to our parents in the same manner our children will repay it; probably more. Jacob deceived his father Isaac by covering himself with the skin of the goats. But his own children deceived him with the blood of the goat. They went one step ahead. They dipped Joseph’s coat of many colours in the blood and brought it before Jacob. (Gen.27:9; Gen.37:31). “Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure; pressed down, and shaken together, and running over shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye measure it shall be measured to you again”. (Lk. 6:38).

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