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Among Christians the principles set forth in the Bible serve in at least 3 ways. Motivated by the love of God in Christ Jesus, we believe that God's holy immutable will summarized in the 10 Commandments serves as a mirror, curb, and a guide. While we live from day to day we see the contrast between who and what we are and what God intends for us to be. In a born again state, as those who lives have been touched and changed by the Gospel, not only are the 10 commandments indicators of our brokenness, but they serve to restrain us when we are inclined to revert back to the self-centeredness of our human nature. What is more, these very same commandments serve to guide us in our daily living, giving direction to our lives of thanksgiving and Christian love.
One of those commandments, the fourth, according to the inspired account recorded in Exodus 20: 12 states: "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you." This passage has been variously explained and interpreted, but among Lutheran Christians, the explanation of this commandment by Luther in his small catechism encourages all, both youth and mature, to see a relationship between God's loving care and those through whom it is administered. As His representatives, mothers and fathers and those in authority are to be accorded love, honor, and respect. What is more, it is clearly His intent that those whose lives have been touched by the Gospel through the care and nurture of His representatives, reflect that change not only in formal acts of worship, but in service and acts of kindness toward and for those who may represent God to them. When the apostle Paul was moved by God's Spirit to lay down some practical advice for a young pastor, Timothy, he included these words of instruction: But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.(1 tim. 5:4).
In a recent article appearing in the Wall Street Journal; Seniors in Vermont Are Finding They Can Go Home Again by Lucette Lagnado (10/26/06)an experiment in senior care, that is seen as an alternative to Nursing home care, has family members or ex-spouses providing care for those who might otherwise have been directed to institutional living. The article was sent me by a retired pastor with the note that indicated he viewed it quite interesting that state health care agencies seem to be reminding families of the principles of God set down in the fourth commandment as it applies to aged parents. Although the article clearly indicates that the care mentioned was being provided by family members, (we might view this as an extension of keeping the 4th comd't.) the reason for the article in The Journal would seem to be more concerned about the huge savings to be realized by the managers of the Medicare and Medicaid programs and services. The total Medicaid spending (federal and state)on long-term care for the elderly and people with diabilities for 2005 approached $100 billion.
It certainly needs to be pointed out to all, that with the aging of America, there is a great need for
fulfilling God's intent with regard to those who represent him among us. This is one of the planks in the platform of the WELS Health and Wellness Committee as it undertakes the privileged service of shaping and sharing programs of outreach to, by, and for seniors.
