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4.1.5.3.2 Blessing at the Death Bed as the Final Moral Instruction
from Parents

Blessing at the Death Bed is of great importance in the moral and
family life of a Southist member with regards to the moral formation of the
new generation. From the point of view of the parents, this is the
continuation and fulfilment of the moral advice and blessings that they gave
to their children from the very beginning of their life and throughout each
and every occasions of their growth. These blessings are also a form of
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moral and spiritual catechesis.
4.1.5.3.3 Obedience of Children to Parents

Jesus is the perfect model of obedience. He obeyed his Father, as the
Apostle Paul states, “even unto death on the Cross” (Phil. 2, 7-8). Jesus
obeyed his Heavenly Father unconditionally, and he obeyed his earthly
parents, too. As Luke states, Jesus was obedient to his earthly parents and
remained under their authority. “Then he went down with them and came to
Nazareth, and he was obedient to them” (Lk. 2, 51). Children are therefore,
called to submit to the authority of their parents. God gives such authority to
them, so that the children may learn from their dutiful and responsible
parents to grow in faith and moral.

To love is to be obedient. “If you love me you will keep my
commandments (Jn. 14, 15).” Pope John Paul II notes; “By means of love,
respect and obedience towards their parents, children offer their specific and
irreplaceable contribution to the construction of an authentically human and
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Christian family”. He also praises the Asian culture that keeps a value of
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filial love and respect towards parents and care for the aged and the sick.
Caring for the sick and aged: Here a question can be raised; can
children, who are grown up, say they do not need the guidance of their
parents? On the contrary, they do need this guidance and are called to listen
to the advice and suggestions of their parents. This is stressed by the CCC:

Accessed 16 November, 2013.
<http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2008/february/documents/hf_be
n-xvi_spe_20080223_diocesi-roma_en.html>
52 Cf. JUSSAY, P. M., “The wedding Songs of the Cochin Jews and of the Knānite
Christians of Kerala: A Study in Comparison”, in J. VELLIAN (ed.), Symposium on
Knānites, The Syrian Church Series, Vol. XII, Kottayam, 1986, pp. 82-83.
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Familiaris Consortio, no. 21.
54 JOHN PAUL II, Apostolic Exhortation, Ecclesia In Asia, no. 46, 6 November, 1999, in
AAS 92, 2000, pp. 449-528. English Translation, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1999.

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