And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God) - then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that. - Mark 7:9-13

Dear Jesus, I have so many friends and family that are feeling the heavy burden of grief as their parents' health wanes and the flesh like grass loses its beautiful flower. The challenges of role reversal and life altering decisions leaves them overwhelmed with worry. They want to do the right thing. They want to fight their own selfishness and honor their parents the way you ask us to. But it is no easy task. It is so counter intuitive to tell the ones who have given you life that they must lose their independence and become more the child than the parent. It is all part of the fallen-ness of our existence. Help both parents and children to rise up with love, faith, and hope and to cooperate with each other as they suffer through the last days together. Give them your bright light of forgiveness when they don't get it right and hope for the life beyond when they grieve over the end. Oh, God, help us be your people of love and truth as we struggle through caring for one another. AMEN

Honor your parents in all circumstances even if it means honoring them with a holy struggle for their own safety of body and soul.

Additional Readings: Exodus 20:12, 21:17, Leviticus 20:9,