Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother

 

The Archbishop of Detroit asked us to begin a prayer ministry focused on prayers for the souls in Purgatory.  It sounded like a good thing, and I resolved to do it.  I’ve failed in my resolve.  I’ve failed, and never really began.

When I read the words from a funeral card of a friend’s mother, I had a mass said in honor of her birthday, and I prayed for her.  But it was in one of my Bible Study groups where someone mentioned the Fourth Commandment:  Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother.  Then I, in my great ego-centered wisdom spoke: “Yes, and it is the only commandment with a trailing clause: ‘That you may have eternal life.’”  And the group briefly discussed the importance of honoring our father and mother.  At first that meant nothing to me, but then I recalled that I had that mass said for the deceased mother of a friend, but when was the last time I had a mass said for my mom or dad?  I couldn’t recall.

While I was adoration this weekend, I paused and went out of the chapel into the church to pick up the parish Sunday bulletin.  While there, a small booklet caught my eye:  Novena for the Relief of the Poor Souls in Purgatory.  I recalled my unfilled resolve to pray for souls, and I picked up the booklet.  Back in the chapel, I prayed day 1 of the 9-day novena.  I tried to be sincere in my prayers, but suddenly I became VERY sincere, as I turned the page and read the De Profundus prayer:

            Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord:
            Lord, hear my voice.
            Let Thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
            If Thou, O Lord, will mark iniquities; Lord, who shall stand it?
            For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness; and by reason of Thy law
            I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
            My soul hath relied on His word; my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
            From the morning-watch even until night; let Israel hope in the Lord.
            Because with the Lord there is mercy,
            And with Him plentiful redemption.
            And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

            Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
            And let perpetual light shine upon them.

            From the gate of Hell,
            Deliver their souls, O Lord
            May they rest in peace.  Amen.
            O Lord, hear my prayer,
            And let my cry come unto Thee.
            The Lord be with You.
            And with Thy Spirit.

            Let us pray:

            O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, we beseech Thee
            to grant to the Souls of Thy servants the remission of their sins, so that
            by our prayers they may obtain pardon for which they long.  O Lord,
            Who livest and reignest, world without end.  Amen.

And then I read the concluding prayer of that novena:

Let us pray for our departed parents:

O God, Who had commanded us to honor our Father and Mother,
have pity on them, deliver them from the pains which they have
deserved, and grant that I may see them in the glory of Heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord
And let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.  Amen.

My prayers for mam and dad were most sincere, and I know I will pray for them each day of this novena.  This morning I added their names and the names of my departed brother and sister into the Book of Life, so that they will be prayed for at every mass offered at the church this month.

Why had I failed to pray for my family all this time?  The Commandment Honor Thy Father and Mother didn’t conclude with “While they are on earth,” yet I somehow acted as if it did.  We need to pray for them always.  It’s important, if nothing else than for selfish reasons.  That commandment did conclude with the words “That you (that’s you and I) may have eternal life.”

My prayer for their souls is so that they may be moved on from Purgatory, AND that I may join them “in the eternal glory of heaven.”   

Honor your father and your mother.  Pray for them.  And if you are so blessed that they are still alive, go to them this Thanksgiving and most calmly and sincerely say to them: “You know I love you, and I don’t say it often enough.  But I do love you.  I am so blessed that you gave me life.  I will never forget you.”

You know I love you ---- the last words said by my mom to me.  I will never forget.