548. WHY ARE VICIOUS DEEDS ESPECIALLY SINFUL ON FEAST DAYS?

Those who allow themselves frivolous games and spectacles, secular songs, intemperance in food and drink on holidays offend the sanctity of the feasts. If innocent and useful works do not conform to the Holy Days, how much more are useless, carnal, and vicious works.

549. DOES THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT CONDEMN IDLENESS AND ABSENT-MINDEDNESS?

When the fourth commandment speaks of six days' work, it undoubtedly condemns those who do not work on weekdays, but engage in idleness and idle pastime.

About the Fifth Commandment

550. HOW DOES HOLY SCRIPTURE TEACH US TO TREAT PARENTS?

The fifth commandment prescribes special duties in relation to parents, teaches reverence for them: to treat them respectfully; to obey them; to nourish and rest them in times of sickness and old age; after their death, as well as during their lifetime, to pray for the salvation of their souls and faithfully fulfill their wills, which do not contradict the law of God and the civil law (see 2 Maccabees 12:43-44; Jeremiah 35:18-19; St. John of Damascus, Homily on the Departed).

551. HOW GRAVE IS THE SIN OF DISRESPECT FOR PARENTS?

As easy and natural as it is to love and honor our parents, to whom we owe our lives, so grave is the sin of dishonoring them. Therefore, in the law of Moses, the death penalty was imposed for backbiting a father or mother (see Exodus 21:16).

552. WHY IS THE PROMISE OF WELL-BEING AND LONGEVITY ADDED TO THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT?

In order to induce with an obvious reward to fulfill the commandment, which establishes the order of both family and social life.

553. HOW IS THE PROMISE OF WELL-BEING AND LONGEVITY FULFILLED?

The examples of the ancient patriarchs and forefathers show that God gives special power to the blessing of parents (see Gen. 27).