The Commandments

Pillar Focus The Commandments: Intro

James Tissot, 19th Century

Jesus teaches us in his Sermon on the Mount:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven (Mt 5:17-20)."

We follow the Commandments (and the Sermon on the Mount) to the best of our abilities (see CCC 1724). God provides us with the grace we need to accomplish this.

What God commands he makes possible by his grace (CCC 2082).

And how do we access this grace?

1. We believe and profess the symbol of faith (the Apostles' Creed). 
2. We receive Christ in a unique and privileged way in the Sacraments. Baptism, Confirmation, the Holy Eucharist, Confession, Matrimony... these unite us ever more closely to our Lord because it is he who acts in them (wow!!). 
3. We pray.

Maintaining these "prerequisites," we are well equipped to practice the Christian moral life (see CCC #1691-1696).

..What the symbol of faith professes, the sacraments communicate. Indeed, through them the faithful receive the grace of Christ and the gifts of the Holy Spirit which give them the capability of living a new life as children of God in Christ whom they have received in faith.. (Compendium #357)

In the end, we follow the commandments to liberate ourselves from sin that leads to spiritual death. We don't want death, we want life. God knows how to provide this life for his own creation.

Additional Links

[A young man asks Jesus] "What good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" [Jesus responds] "If you would enter into life, keep the commandments" (see Mt 19:16-17). Click here for a great sermon concerning this scripture passage. 

Click here for an entry that discusses the relationship between law and grace.

Click here for brief summaries of each commandment

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#434-441

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part 3, section 2
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God First

Pillar Focus The Commandments "I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange gods before me"

We honor the first commandment by placing God at the forefront of our lives. We try hard not to allow "other gods" to overcome us (i.e. money and wealth building, entertainment and food, pleasure, honor). We focus on building our whole lives around God vs. simply "finding room somewhere" for him. Prayer is an absolute priority in our day.

Here are some other ways we honor this first commandment:

• We do not try to manipulate God or our lives with superstition (lucky rabbit's foot, avoiding black cats, not breaking mirrors, etc.)
• We do not worship statues (something Catholics are often wrongly accused of doing). The statues are there to help us worship the true God, and to honor/venerate (not worship) the saints.
• We don't worship "mother nature" or animals. 
• We do not follow astrology or the like (a heavy addiction in our culture). 
• We do not rest in agnosticism, but rather, always search for complete and absolute truth. 

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#442-446

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part 3, section 2, chapters 1, article 1
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Revere is Holy Name

Pillar Focus The Commandments "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain"

From the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

447. How does one respect the holiness of the Name of God?
One shows respect for the holy Name of God by blessing it, praising it and glorifying it. It is forbidden, therefore, to call on the Name of God to justify a crime. It is also wrong to use the holy Name of God in any improper way as in blasphemy (which by its nature is a grave sin), curses, and unfaithfulness to promises made in the Name of God.

448. Why is a false oath forbidden?
It is forbidden because one calls upon God who is truth itself to be the witness to a lie.

“Do not swear, whether by the Creator or by any creature, except truthfully, of necessity and with reverence.” (Saint Ignatius of Loyola)

449. What is perjury?
Perjury is to make a promise under oath with the intention of not keeping it or to violate a promise made under oath. It is a grave sin against God who is always faithful to his promises.

Study the Catechism

part 3, section 2, chapter 1, article 2
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The Holy Day of Sunday

Pillar Focus The Commandments "Keep Holy the Lord's Day"

Click here for some good reasons to go to mass.

  

Study the Catechism

#450-454

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part 3, section 2, chapter 1, article 3
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Honor of Father and Mother

Pillar Focus The Commandments: "Honor your father and your mother"

"According to the fourth commandment, God has willed that, after him, we should honor our parents and those whom he has vested with authority for our good (CCC 2248)."

"Children owe their parents respect, gratitude, just obedience, and assistance. Filial respect fosters harmony in all of family life (CCC 2251)."

"Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children in the faith, prayer, and all the virtues. They have the duty to provide as far as possible for the physical and spiritual needs of their children (CCC 2252)."

For the rest of the "In Brief" section of the Catechism, click here.
Video: Fourth Commandment

Study the Catechism

#455-465

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part 3, section 2, article 4
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Life is Precious

Pillar Focus The Commandments "You shall not kill"

From the Catechism's "In Brief" section:

2318 "In [God's] hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind" (Job 12:10).

2319 Every human life, from the moment of conception until death, is sacred because the human person has been willed for its own sake in the image and likeness of the living and holy God.

2320 The murder of a human being is gravely contrary to the dignity of the person and the holiness of the Creator.

2321 The prohibition of murder does not abrogate the right to render an unjust aggressor unable to inflict harm. Legitimate defense is a grave duty for whoever is responsible for the lives of others or the common good.

2322 From its conception, the child has the right to life. Direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, is a "criminal" practice, gravely contrary to the moral law. the Church imposes the canonical penalty of excommunication for this crime against human life.

2323 Because it should be treated as a person from conception, the embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed like every other human being.

2324 Intentional euthanasia, whatever its forms or motives, is murder. It is gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator.

2325 Suicide is seriously contrary to justice, hope, and charity. It is forbidden by the fifth commandment.

2326 Scandal is a grave offense when by deed or omission it deliberately leads others to sin.

2327 Because of the evils and injustices that all war brings with it, we must do everything reasonably possible to avoid it. the Church prays: "From famine, pestilence, and war, O Lord, deliver us."

2328 The Church and human reason assert the permanent validity of the moral law during armed conflicts. Practices deliberately contrary to the law of nations and to its universal principles are crimes.

2329 "The arms race is one of the greatest curses on the human race and the harm it inflicts on the poor is more than can be endured"

2330 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Mt 5:9).

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#466-486

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part 3, section 2, chapter 2, article 5
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Conforming to a Higher Love

Pillar Focus The Commandments "You shall not commit adultery"

Committing the sin of adultery is obviously evil, you don't need to be Catholic (or part of any religion for that matter) to believe this. Adultery destroys the trust that exists between two people who form the very fundamental unit of society. It also has terrible effects on the children of the marriage... Jesus stated that to "even look at another woman with lust" was a act of adultery! As God, he understands very well just how important and sacred the union between a husband and wife is. There's really no need to elaborate further, cheating on one's spouse or with the spouse of another is a terrible crime and an injustice to all.

So is adultery the only sin against the sixth commandment? The Church controversially teaches no. Sexual acts that may be considered in popular culture to be moral and acceptable are considered by the Church to be grave sins against chastity (a virtue everyone is called to under this commandment, no matter what their state in life). Basically, any use of the sexual faculty outside of marriage between a man and woman is considered illicit.



A great book on the Catholic view of sexuality is titled: Good News About Sex and Marriage: Answers to Your Honest Questions About Catholic Teaching by Christopher West. It covers everything that one should know regarding this incredibly important topic. It is well worth the cost and time. Here's another resource that may be helpful: Sexual Morality.

Questions to consider: Do we try to mold God so that he fits into our ideas and lifestyles, or do we allow God to mold us? Are we not sinners who do not have all the answers and may in fact be clouded in our understandings? Are we blocking God's grace in any way as he tries to conform us into an ever higher state of being, a higher state of love?

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#487-502

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part 3, section 2, chapter 2, article 6
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Called to be Stewards in God's Kingdom

Pillar Focus The Commandments "You shall not steal"

"You shall not steal" (Ex 20:15; Deut 5:19). "Neither thieves, nor the greedy, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor 6:10). 

The Church teaches that we all have the right to private property, legally protected from theft. The reason is so that we may secure ourselves and our families in a world that threatens us with poverty and violence. But we should never forget, especially if our needs have been basically met, that what we own is destined for everyone. God created everything in the world for everyone, not for any one person or small group of people to hoard and indulge in. If we have what we need, with the primary emphasis rightly being on our own families, we now especially have the duty to look outward. We must, in various ways, help others achieve and share in this security. We are called to be stewards of God's creation. Detachment from riches and the seeking of the true kingdom of God, something the tenth commandment teaches, helps us to accomplish this.

Jesus said, “Whatever you have done to the least of my brethren, you have done to me” (Matthew 25:40).

As with the all the commandments, the seventh has very deep meaning. It is the basis for the Church's social justice teaching, which is essentially concerned with giving others their due (i.e. working to end poverty). It also calls for the protection of the environment and the right treatment of animals.    

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#503-520

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part 3, section 2, chapter 2, article 7
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Truthful in Word and Deed

Pillar Focus The Commandments: You Shall Not Bear False Witness Against Your Neighbor

What is one’s duty toward the truth?
Every person is called to sincerity and truthfulness in acting and speaking. Everyone has the duty to seek the truth, to adhere to it and to order one’s whole life in accordance with its demands. In Jesus Christ the whole of God’s truth has been made manifest. He is “the truth”. Those who follow him live in the Spirit of truth and guard against duplicity, dissimulation, and hypocrisy (CCCC #521).

How does one bear witness to the truth?
A Christian must bear witness to the truth of the Gospel in every field of his activity, both public and private, and also if necessary, with the sacrifice of his very life. Martyrdom is the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith (CCCC #522).

What is forbidden by the eighth commandment?
The eighth commandment forbids:

• false witness, perjury, and lying, the gravity of which is measured by the truth it deforms, the circumstances, the intentions of the one who lies, and the harm suffered by its victims;
• rash judgment, slander, defamation and calumny which diminish or destroy the good reputation and honor to which every person has a right;
• flattery, adulation, or complaisance, especially if directed to serious sins or toward the achievement of illicit advantages.

A sin committed against truth demands reparation if it has caused harm to others (CCCC #523).

Study the Catechism

#521-526

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part 3, section 2, chapter 2, article 8
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Purity of Heart

Pillar Focus The Commandments "You shall not covet your neighbor's wife"

What the Church requires of us with regards to sexuality can seem pretty grand, especially in the context of our culture. The Church is rightfully against adultery, rape, incest, pedophilia, and other "major offenses" against sexuality, but she is also against practices that many would consider minor or non-offensive. These include pornography, masturbation, willful lustful thoughts, and sodomy. In fact, this culture teaches that these latter things are acceptable, harmless, healthy, and in some cases should even be promoted. This is especially evident in popular culture such as seen in the mass media.

So why would anyone want to follow the Church with regards to sexuality if it meant having to contradict one's culture? Why follow anything the Church teaches? Is it because the teaching makes complete sense and is agreeable to us, or is it because we recognize this teaching as truth itself- from God himself? Hopefully, the answer is both! But sometimes that's not the case. Sometimes we have to struggle with what the Church teaches (see "Magisterium" tab above).

If we do trust in what the Church teaches, believing God is speaking through her, we pursue what may be a difficult path. We choose, through our own free will, to comply, to struggle, to even suffer for the sake of truth, for the sake of hope, for the sake of love.

So what is required of the IX Commandment?

To be pure of heart.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Mt 5:8 

What the 6th Commandment forbids in action, the 9th forbids in thought and desire. 

The Catechism titles the process of purifying the heart as "The Battle for Purity." In other words, it's not easy, especially in our culture and time. Here is the advice given in paragraph 2520 of the CCC as to how to fight this battle: 

• By the virtue and gift of chastity. This virtue is the "positive integration of sexuality within the person (Compendium #488)." It involves an "apprenticeship in self-mastery (Compendium #489)." In other words, we learn over time to manage our sexuality properly, ordering it towards love. 
• By purity of intention. We seek the true end of man. Do we know what our true end is? 
• By purity of vision. We work towards the goal of purity (i.e. through discipline and the rejection of impure thoughts) . 
• By prayer. This is the primary way in which we fight this battle. 

"I thought that continence arose from one's own powers, which I did not recognize in myself. I was foolish enough not to know . . . that no one can be continent unless you grant it. For you would surely have granted it if my inner groaning had reached your ears and I with firm faith had cast my cares on you." -St. Augustine.

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#527-530

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part 3, section 2, chapter 2, article 9
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We Prefer Jesus to Everything and Everyone

Pillar Focus The Commandments: "You shall not covet your neighbor's possessions"

To "covet" something means to desire it wrongly. For example, we might feel jealous when someone has something that we wish we had (i.e. better car, better job, better house, more talent, more acceptance ...). Part of the problem, as the Catechism states, is that we are attached to these worldly riches. In order to inherit the Kingdom of God we must learn to break from these attachments. We place Jesus above everything and everyone. Our greatest desire is to see God, the source of our true and eternal happiness.

For the Compendium of the Catechism see #531-533

For the "In Brief" section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, click here.

For the complete article in the Catechism, begin here.