[[catechism-of-the-catholic-church|Table of Contents]] --- - PART THREE: LIFE IN CHRIST - SECTION TWO: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS - CHAPTER TWO: YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF - ARTICLE 4: THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT - IV. The Family and the Kingdom > [[3.2.2.4.p7u|Previous]] - [[3.2.2.4.p7w|Next]] --- # IV. The Family and the Kingdom 2232 Family ties are important but not absolute. Just as the child grows to maturity and human and spiritual autonomy, so his unique vocation which comes from God asserts itself more clearly and forcefully. Parents should respect this call and encourage their children to follow it. They must be convinced that the first vocation of the Christian is to follow Jesus: "He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."³⁹ ^ccc-2232 2233 Becoming a disciple of Jesus means accepting the invitation to belong to God's family, to live in conformity with His way of life: "For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother."⁴⁰ ^ccc-2233 Parents should welcome and respect with joy and thanksgiving the Lord's call to one of their children to follow him in virginity for the sake of the Kingdom in the consecrated life or in priestly ministry. --- **[39]** [[matthew-10|Mt 10]]:37; cf. 16:25.**[40]** [[matthew-12|Mt 12]]:49. --- > [[3.2.2.4.p7u|Previous]] - [[3.2.2.4.p7w|Next]]