“Leave his father and mother” does not mean that man should leave his parents to themselves for their sustenance and support, especially when they are in their old age.

Believers who leave behind their parents at home, migrate to another country and settle down there unmindful of the parents’ anxiety and loneliness are failing in their duty to their parents. “Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you”. – Exod 20:12 would also mean that the Son is obliged to take them with him when he settles down in the land that the Lord is giving him. Joseph did this immediately when he knew that Jacob is alive – he brought him to Egypt. This holds good for the daughters in the family too (in the absence of sons). Many are the parents that are yearning for a proximity to their only son / daughter who has settled down far from home unmindful of their plight. A loving conversation, a caring gesture and an affectionate hug means a lot than mere monthly deposit of money in the bank (alimony?) or paying for geriatric care at old age homes.

Who does not know that parents that are asked to travel to the ‘freezing’ USA, Canada and Britain ‘use’ them as cheaper ‘baby-sitters' as the working couple’s sole aim is to earn more money (and lose the parents’ love?). The culture and the climate of the new country are intolerable for many parents that they “plead” (at least in their minds!) their children to leave them alone back at home. The excruciating trouble by irresponsible children and grandchildren at home might also make them hard-hearted that they let go their children when they ‘announce’ their migration plan.

Paul advices that old widows must be taken care of at home by her children and not to the hardships (and humiliation) in a social environment. (1 Tim 5:16). And did not Jesus care for His mother when he handed over the responsibility of taking care of the middle-aged woman (widow?) after His death to His doting disciple John? (Jn 19:27).