On the Fourth Commandment

The fourth commandment tells us to honor our father and mother. It tells us that if we do this, our lives will be long on the earth. So what do we do? What do we do to satisfy this requirement?
It starts off with the definition of a family. The Catechism teaches that a family is a man and a woman united in marriage under God. A family exists for the love of the spouses and the procreation of children. God instituted the human family, creating all persons equal and with inalienable rights, duties, and responsibilities.
With regard to society, the family is the original cell of social life. The family is where children learn moral values, learn to honor God, and begin to use freedom. Family life initiates children into society. Families should be built in such a way that takes care of the young, old, sick, handicapped, and poor. Society in turn has a responsibility to uphold the institution of the family.
Regarding relationships, everyone is a child of God. Therefore, our relationships with our neighbors are personal in character. Every human deserves our respect.
Politicians have the responsibility of upholding the rights and freedoms to have a family and to bring them up in a moral fashion, to protect the marriage bond and the institution of the family, the right to worship, the right to private property and free enterprise, and the right to medical care.
In a family, each member has certain duties. Children are required to respect and honor their parents regardless of their age. Children must be grateful to their parents as well as obedient. When the children get older, obedience is not required, but respect is.
Parents have duties towards their children as well. Parents are responsible for the education of their children. They must respect them as human beings. Parents owe children a moral upbringing.
Civil authorities have duties as well. Those in authority should do so as a service. They should also put the needs of the community ahead of personal interests. They are required to respect human rights.
Citizens in turn have duties. They have the duty to obey those in authority, but have the duty to voice just criticisms. They have the duties to pay taxes, vote, and to defend their country. Citizens have the right to disobey authorities when their laws contradict the moral order.
The political community is required not to infringe upon the practice of religion.
With regard to teachers, students are required to treat them with due respect.

The Type of Dad I Want to Be

When I get older, I would like to start a family of my own. I want to be a dad, I want to have kids. I want to be remembered by a few characteristics:
Respect - I want my kids to respect me, so I in turn will respect them. I won't be a tyrant, I will respectfully listen to my children and treat them how I would want to be treated as a kid.

Dependable - I want to be there for my kids when they need me. My son gets bullied at school? I will be there. My daughter got her heart broken? I will be there. I will help my kids with whatever problems they may face, but no matter what they won't face them alone.

Knowledgeable - I want my kids to look up to me, and one way to do that is being knowledgeable. I want to know what to do in every situation, or at least look like I do. Being knowledgeable will also help me help my kids with whatever they need help with.

Incredibly Funny - I want to make my kids laugh. I want them to be happy around me, and a good way to do that is to be funny. Laughter is the best medicine for any ills.

lastly, the most important...
Lovable - What parents don't want their kids to love them? I want to be the best dad in the world to my kids. I want them to love me as much as I love them. I want them to love me more than anything else in the world.

The Catholic Importance of Sunday

     As Catholics, our goal is to honor God in everything we do. One of the ways we accomplish this is by following the Third Commandment; keep holy the Sabbath day. What does this mean to us? Keeping the Sabbath holy means different things to different people, but the obligations are the same for all. 
     First off, what is the Sabbath? The Sabbath, for Catholics, is every Sunday. It is a day set aside to rest and honor God. God created the world, and then rested on the seventh day, and blessed the seventh day.
 We honor God on the Sabbath through prayer and by attending Mass. Many Catholics do not keep the Sabbath holy, treating it like any other day. This is a violation of the Third Commandment. Sunday especially should be a day centered around God.
 
     Sunday is also a day to commemorate the Resurrection. Jesus was crucified on Good Friday, and resurrected a day later on Easter Sunday. Each Sunday is a little celebration of Easter; of the Resurrection. That is part of the reason why it is so important to honor the Sabbath; we are celebrating the Resurrection. The Resurrection symbolizes new creation ushered in by Christ.

     Another reason for going to Mass each Sunday is for the Eucharist. The Eucharist is important to us as Catholics because celebration of the Eucharist is the center of Church life. You cannot pray at home as you can at church. The fellowship of the congregation, the union of souls, and the prayers of the priests all make the Mass a more complete form of worship. Reception of the Eucharist on the Sabbath honors God and gives us grace.
     In Genesis, God rested on the seventh day after all that He had done. This is a model for us, as Sunday is a day for rest and graces. We are able to rest from our work and labor and spend time with family. We must be mindful of those who cannot take a day of rest because of poverty or illness. Sunday should be a day to relax and worship God.