1. Unit 5 Be Obedient

2. Honouring Thy Family

3. The Fourth Commandment, “Thou shalt honour thy mother and father,” according to the CCC (2197-2219)
“The family is the original cell of social life,” therefore obedience to parents is essential for it to function
As adult children, we don’t have to obey in the same way but should respect parents’ advice and wishes, as well as taking care of them
This respect extends to others in authority such as teachers and employers
Bosses: you may not like ‘em, but you gotta show respect!

4. 4th Commandment “Honor Thy Mother and Father”

8. What does it mean to be obedient?
Obedience is not about doing exactly what someone tells you to do; it is about listening to those in authority and opening the door to your heart to recognize the good that may come from doing as they ask.

9. What does it mean to be obedient?
… teaches us to develop self-discipline, that we may learn to share, cooperate and compromise

10. What does it mean to be obedient?
… teaches us to strengthen our decision making by identifying the common good

11. What does it mean to be obedient?
… teaches us the difference between our wants and needs

12. Who Should I Obey & Why?
Teacher, What Must We Do? (p. 108)

13. What does it mean to be obedient?
Follow His Example (p. 112)

14. Obedience and the social life
The authority, stability and caring relationships from a family are the foundations for freedom, security and caring relationships in society. In other words, the dynamics of how you are raised by your family, become representative of how you life your life as an adult.

15. Obedience and the social life
Jesus recognized the authority of his parents and was obedient to them.
We are called to follow his example in our attitudes and responses towards our own parents.
In following the fourth commandment, not only do we respect our parents, but also God.

16. Obedience and the social life
The role of the parent is to:
Direct
Discipline
Educate
Challenge

17. Obedience and the social life
The lessons we learn at home, that we are called to apply in society, include but are not limited to:
Showing patience
Having a willingness to forgive
Concern for others who are in need
Be aware of our own imperfections
Love one another

18. Legitimate Authority & The Common Good
Showing obedience for the sake of others is based on respect for all individuals, to establish a peaceful social order. This is achieved when all members of a society feel reasonably secure.
The Common Good:
Respects the rights of each person
Allows for the spiritual/temporal good of society
Offers peace and security

19. Legitimate Authority & The Common Good
Authority is legitimate (it is true/real) when it is recognized by the population as a whole and when it serves the common good. When this occurs, we are called to respect this authority, thus, indirectly, serving God. Because positions of authority are important for the well-being of society, we are called to respect, support and protect them.

20. Legitimate Authority & The Common Good
Examples of legitimate authority, which serve the common good, include, but are not limited to:
Government
School
Church

21. Legitimate Authority & The Common Good
We have the responsibility to challenge those in authority when the common good is not being served or when the law is asking us to do something morally wrong.

22. Obedience in the Church (p. 121)

23. The Family Circus
Imagine a scenario where a parent/guardian tells a child to do something (e.g. going to bed, washing their hands)
Create a cartoon (1-4 panels) inspired by the painfully saccharine cartoon The Family Circus about how the child should react
They should either obey or protest mildly
If your cartoon does this, then you’ll get full marks!