Today’s society has lost a huge part of its compassion towards their parents, as we’ve become insensitive to the core values we were taught as children. Respecting and caring for our aged parents is primarily the essence and our duty towards those who have made us who we are today. There are countless things they did for us and we will never be able to pay back for their favors. If only we respect our parents, our children will respect us. Do we even realise that what was hard for us as children is tenfold harder for our parents? The aging process brings with it seasons of joy, but it also carries fear and loss of personal worth as the aging parent find themselves torn between dependence and independence.
Recently my eye caught a news item which said an elderly man was dumped in Panjim who was fragile and weak due to his ill health, Sadly, he was not even aware how he landed there, nonetheless as his condition was quite critical he was gladly picked up by the team and was taken to Street Providence who was delicately cared for. However, apparently he went to his Heavenly abode knowing that he was cared and loved and died a peaceful death. Finally, he was accorded a dignified funeral in his village together with the villagers but sans his own family. Isn’t this really heartbreaking, then? A father who has given all of his life to his children and then when he becomes old, he is thrown out like garbage – is this what God commands us to do? Anyways, I am no one to judge how and why he was treated so crudely yet I firmly believe that this is pathetic. Indeed, the very first Commandment itself teaches us to honour our parents. Whichever religion we may follow they teach us to respect our parents as this is our moral responsibility to do so.
I believe that after God, parents are the persons who give us innumerable favors. They provide protection, food and clothing to the newly born. The mother sacrifices her comforts and sleep to provide comfort to her child. The father works hard to provide for the physical, educational and psychological and spiritual needs. It is a matter of common courtesy that if a person does you some favor you feel obliged to him, isn’t? Then why don’t we show a sense of gratitude towards our parents? God’s favours cannot be counted or repaid except by thanking Him and obeying His orders. After God our parents deserve our thanks and obedience for the favours they have done for us.
That’s why Bible lays stress on feeling grateful to parents, and doing ‘good turn’ to them, specially during their illness and old age. What does a ‘good turn’ mean? It means obeying them, speaking softly, avoiding harsh words or harsh tone, giving them company when they are lonely, caring for their physical and psychological needs specially in their old age, and praying to God that He may bless them and have mercy on them. But do the so called modern generation have the time and patience to care for their parents?
I end with an apt quote by Tia Walker “To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors.”
