As a child, I remember my Father teaching us the importance of living out the Ten Commandments, and attending Mass weekly for the Eucharist. He was an excellent example to me until his death.
It was through the Blessed Sacrament that I was able to see the love of God for me and for every person on this earth. And even more importantly, it was through the sharing of the Eucharist that I was able to receive His love and forgive others.
As Catholic men, The Commandments are a part of our Catechism that help us to better lead our family and be a leader in our community. But it is easy for us to take this for granted I am afraid, especially with all the noise and distractions of our digital and divided world.
Moderation in all things is key! The Commandments provide us with a guide to lead a holy and fulfilling life. We must remember to live by them Christ-like, by moderating our passions and living our lives with prudence. Just as importantly, we must teach our children to do the same. Living by the Commandments will help them to have a strong moral compass, learn responsibility, and be good role models for their friends and families.
So, I’d like to share some excerpts about The Commandments from around the web, and then end with them for you to meditate, study, and live out as the Holy Spirit directs:
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The Ten Commandments are God’s gift.
The word “commandment” is not in style; it reminds people today of something negative, of someone’s desire to impose restrictions, to put obstacles in life’s way. Unfortunately history, even recent history, is marked by forms of tyranny, ideologies, types of logic that have imposed and oppressed and have not sought the good of people but, on the contrary, power, success, and profit."
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The Commandments
, fulfilled in Jesus, form the “skeletal structure” of Christian morality. Our virtuous response forms the muscles, sinews, and flesh. But we remain in conflict with ourselves because of our sinful inclinations, while the Commandments provoke conflict with the world—and within the Church.”
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
2075
"What good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" - "If you would enter into life, keep the commandments" (Mt 19:16-17).
2081
The Ten Commandments, in their fundamental content, state grave obligations. However, obedience to these precepts also implies obligations in matter which is, in itself, light.
2082
What God commands he makes possible by his grace.
God has loved us first. The love of the One God has recalled in the first of the 'ten words." The commandments then make explicit the response of love that man is called to give to his God.
The Ten Commandments
- I, the Lord, am your God. You shall not have other gods besides me.
- You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain.
- Remember to keep holy the sabbath day.
- Honor your father and your mother.
- You shall not kill.
- You shall not commit adultery.
- You shall not steal.
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
- ou shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
- You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.
