Respect 233of reverence and respect—a progressive and process chart from mother
in the family to all people including guests, through the teacher.
Jesus taught the basic lessons of respect in reference to the marginal-
ized, the suppressed, and the oppressed in the social context of his time,
emerging from the covenant community consciousness. His instruction
is simple and straightforward. The criterion for the last judgement is not
just doctrine, but also deeds of charity. Jesus taught his hearers to feed
the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, show hospitality to the stranger, to
clothe the naked, to visit the alienated and the imprisoned. Jesus focused
on caring and respecting the poor of the society. And in response to the
query of the righteous, Jesus answered: “Truly I tell you, whatever you
did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for
me.” (Matthew 25:40). We need is to open our eyes and see the naked
reality that the utterly helpless, voiceless, landless, homeless, and hope-
less human beings are equal in dignity with all God’s children.
The 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:2-17) may be seen as a compre-
hensive rational practical programme of the virtue of respect in a cove-
nant community. The 10 Commandments are (1) You shall have no oth-
er gods before me, (2) You shall not take the name of the Lord your God
in vain, (3) Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, (4) Honour your
father and your mother, (5) You shall not murder, (6) You shall not
commit adultery, (7) You shall not steal, (8) You shall not bear false
witness against your neighbour, (9) You shall not covet your neigh-
bour’s wife, and (10) You shall not covet your neighbour’s wealth.
The Decalogue offers a rational intelligent parameter to organize
one’s life in light of the value of the Covenant code of conduct, which
essentially is a statement on the virtue of respect towards the Lord, the
land, and the people. According to this scheme of moral conduct, every
moment and every event of personal and public life comes under the
scanner of respect and reverence.