Before those 4-6yr olds -- who strive to make their parents proud -- grow into 8-12yr olds -- how do we instill in them a sacred responsibility of honoring one's parents?
And better yet, why don't we often consider and work diligently on this aspect? Do we think that the act of listening is sufficient? How would we like our children to demonstrate love and honor for us? Do we unconsciously question whether we are even worthy of the growing child's honor and focus more on honoring and cherishing their pure souls?
From the Baha’i Holy
Writings:
The fruits of the tree of existence are trustworthiness,
loyalty, truthfulness and purity. After
the recognition of the oneness of the Lord, exalted be He, the most important
of all duties is to have due regard for the rights of one’s parents. This matter hath been mentioned in all the
Books of God.
Bahá’u’lláh: Family Life, p. 385
It is seemly that the servant should, after each prayer,
supplicate God to bestow mercy and forgiveness upon his parents. Thereupon God’s call will be raised: “Thousand upon thousand of what thou hast
asked for thy parents shall be thy recompense!” Blessed is he who remembereth
his parents when communing with God.
There is, verily, no God but Him, the Mighty, the Well-Beloved.
Selections From the
Writings of the Báb
The son, on the other hand, must show forth the utmost
obedience towards his father, and should conduct himself as a humble and a
lowly servant. Day and night he should
seek diligently to ensure the comfort and welfare of his loving father and to
secure his good-pleasure. He must forgo
his own rest and enjoyment and constantly strive to bring gladness to the
hearts of his father and mother, that thereby he may attain the good-pleasure
of the Almighty and be graciously aided by the hosts of the unseen.
`Abdu'l-Baha: Family Life, p. 394
Beware lest ye commit that which would sadden the hearts of
your fathers and mothers. Follow ye the
path of Truth which indeed is a straight path.
Should anyone give you a choice between the opportunity to render a
service to Me and a service to them, choose ye to serve them, and let such
service be a path leading you to Me.
This is My exhortation and command unto thee. Observe therefore that which thy Lord, the
mighty, the Gracious, hath prescribed unto thee.
Bahá’u’lláh
O Lord! In this Most Great Dispensation Thou dost accept the
intercession of children on behalf of their parents. This is one of the special, infinite
bestowals of this Dispensation.
Therefore, O Thou kind Lord, accept the request of this Thy servant at
the threshold of Thy singleness and submerge his father in the ocean of Thy
grace.
`Abdu’l-Baha
From the Christian
Holy Writings:
Children, obey your parents in
the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first
commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live
long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but
bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:1-4
For God commanded, saying, Honour thy
father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the
death.
Honour thy father and thy mother: and,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not
commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud
not, Honour thy father and mother.
Matthew 15:4, 19:19, Mark 10:19
From the Jewish Holy
Writings:
Honor your father and your mother that your days may be long
in the land which the Lord your God gives you.
Exodus 20.12
There are three partners in man, God, father, and
mother. When a man honors his father and
mother, God says, “I regard it as though
I had dwelt among them and they had honored me.”
Talmud
From the Muslim Holy
Writings:
Thy Lord has decreed…that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in
your lifetime, do not say to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but
address them in terms of honor. And out
of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say, “My Lord! Bestow on
them Thy mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.”
Qur’an 17.23
One Companion asked,
“O Apostle of God! Who is the person worthiest of my consideration?” He
replied, “Your Mother.” He asked
again, “And second to my mother?” The Prophet said, “Your mother.” The companion insisted, “And then?”
The messenger of God said, “After
your mother, your father.”
Hadith of Bukhari
From the Hindu Holy
Writings:
A man has three venerable superiors, his father, his mother,
and his spiritual teacher. By honouring
his mother, he gains the present world, by honouring his father, the world of
gods, and by paying strict obedience to his spiritual teacher, the world of
Brahman.
Vishnu-Sutra
From the Buddhist
Holy Writings:
Supporting one’s father and mother, cherishing wife and
children and a peaceful occupation; that is the greatest blessing.
Sutta Nipata 262
Ponder these writings in your heart -- How will you acknowledge and praise children today for honoring, loving, supporting their parents?
No comments:
Post a Comment