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Cyril of Jerusalem: Catechetical Lectures
Edwin Hamilton Gifford; NPNF2-07 (1894) · Translated text
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Lecture 7 (part 2) Edition note 1
world, the love of the Father is not in himEdition note 2. Wherefore, my beloved children, let us by our works offer glory to our Father which is in heaven, that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in heavenEdition note 3. Let us cast all our care upon Him, for our Father knoweth what things we have need ofEdition note 4.
15. But while honouring our heavenly Father let us honour also the fathers of our flesh[^n1023]: since the Lord Himself hath evidently so appointed in the Law and the Prophets, saying, Honour thy father and thy mother, that it may be well with thee, and thy days shall be long in the landEdition note 5. And let this commandment be especially observed by those here present who have fathers and mothers. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing to the LordEdition note 6. For the Lord said not, He that loveth father or mother is not worthy of Me, lest thou from ignorance shouldest perversely mistake what was rightly written, but He added, more than MeEdition note 7.
For when our fathers on earth are of a contrary mind to our Father in heaven, then we must obey Christ’s word. But when they put no obstacle to godliness in our way, if we are ever carried away by ingratitude, and, forgetting their benefits to us, hold them in contempt, then the oracle will have place which says, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the deathEdition note 8.
16. The first virtue of godliness in Christians is to honour their parents, to requite the troubles of those who begat themEdition note 9, and with all their might to confer on them what tends to their comfort (for if we should repay them ever so much, yet we shall never be able to return their gift of lifeEdition note 10), that they also may enjoy the comfort provided by us, and may confirm us in those blessings which Jacob the supplanter shrewdly seized; and that our Father in heaven may acceptEdition note 11 our good purpose, and judge us worthy to shine amid righteous as the sun in the kingdom of our Father[^n1031]: To whom be the glory, with the Only-begotten our Saviour Jesus Christ, and with the Holy and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, to all eternity. Amen.