UNIT III: LOVE FOR
GOD AND THE GIFT OF
LIFE
LOVE FOR GOD
PROPER UNDERSTADING OF
COMMANDMENTS
The Ten Commandments are understood, as taught in catechism, as laws
given by God through Moses. The violation of the Commandments would
mean eternal punishment. It is seen to be authoritarian and repressive.
MOSES
Born: Land of Goshen, lower of Egypt
Died: Mount Nebo, Jordan
Siblings: Aaron and Miriam
Parents: Jochebed and Amram
Father in law: Jethro
Wife: Zipporah
Children: Gershom and Eliezer
Known for: Prophet; delivering the Ten Commandments to the Israelites
He fled to Midian, where Yahweh ( God ) revealed Himself in a burning bush and called
Moses to deliver the Israelites from Egypt.
Mount Horeb is better known as Mount Sinai
Jesus Christ came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it (cf. Matthew 5:17). He said
“whoever breaks the least of these commands and teaches others to do so shall be called
least in the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 5:19). Thus, the old Law is not set aside but
rather, transformed.
The New Commandment where doing the right thing would mean inheriting eternal
life. This new law is the law of love. It takes the old Law with it to form one law. Thus, to
love is to obey the Ten Commandments in their very purpose and meaning and not out of
blind obedience nor compliance.
PREAMBLE OF COMMANDMENTS
The positive understanding of the Ten Commandments shines forth clearer
in their preamble: “I, the lord, am your God, who brought you out of the land of
Egypt, that place of slavery” (Exodus 20:2). God brought the people out of
Egypt. He freed them from slavery. More than physical slavery, God wanted His
people to be free from sin that enslaves, destroys, and brings evil in the heart
and mind of every person.
THE FIRST COMMANDMENT
The first three commandments of the Decaloque set out the duties toward God as
the Lord of all. This marks the first stage to understand the command, “You shall love
the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength”
(Deuteronomy 6:5; cf. CCC 2083).
The First Commandment is “I am the Lord your God. You shall not have other
gods besides me” (Exodus 20:2-3; Deuteronomy 5:6-7). The words “you shall not”
expresses moral obligation drawn directly from the truth “I am your God.”
This commandment is “first” because it is the most important. All the other
Commandments are derived and governed by it. Knowing and loving God is the
foundation of Christian moral life.
DUTY OF PRAYER AND WORSHIP
During the final temptation of Jesus by Satan in the desert, Jesus said, “You shall do
homage to the Lord your God; Him alone shall you adore” (Matthew 4:10). The first
commandment expresses one’s duty to do homage to God. This is the duty of worship. God
should be worshipped for He alone is the Lord. He alone should be adored. In the case of
Mary, devotion to her is an act of veneration not worship. Veneration of Mary is based on her
very important role in the salvation of humankind.
THE FIRST COMMANDMENT PROHIBITS
“The First Commandment forbids any other god….. or created thing to take the place
of God and received worship due to Him alone. It thus rules out all forms of idolatry
which is the “substitution of someone or something else for God. Idolatry is vividly
portrayed in the biblical story of the “Golden Calf” (cf. Exodus 32)” (CFC 887). Today
the “Golden Calf” can take the form of enticements such as possession, prestige, power,
sex, or drugs including more serious forms such as magic, sorcery, Satanism, astrology, or
fortune-telling. They direct and dictate one’s thought and action, faith, and fate.
The First Commandment prohibits irreligious acts such as sacrilege
(violating sacred places, things, persons), simony (selling or buying spiritual
goods), and tempting God (by demanding signs, complaining [ cf. Hebrew 3:8-
10] (cf. CCC 2119-22).
THE SECOND COMMANDMENT
The Second Commandment is, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God
in vain” (Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 5:11). It commands reverence for God’s holy name.
God’s name is not just a word used to address Him but represents God Himself.
THE SECOND COMMANDMENT PROHIBITS
“Name” in the bible is not just used to identify or call someone. Name in the Bible is
significant and powerful. The commandment forbids from the common use of God’s name in
anger, condemnation, vulgar speech, and profanity to more serious such as blasphemy
(speaking of God or the saints with contempt), cursing (calling down punishment on others)
and taking false oaths (using God’s name to confirm a false statement) (CFC 894)
THE THIRD COMMANDMENTS
The third commandment is “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day’
(Exodus 20:8; Deuteronomy 5:12), usually formulated as: “Remember to keep
holy the Lord’s day.” The third commandment commands to set aside time for
the worship of God and recreation. On a designated day, Sunday, Christ’s
faithful are bound to come together in one place to listen to the Word of God
and take part in the Eucharist. They call to mind the Passion, Resurrection and
Glory of the Lord Jesus, and give thanks to God who “gave us new birth; a
birth unto hope which draws its life from the resurrection of Jesus Christ from
the dead” (1 Peter 1:3)
Rest here means much more than withdrawal from labor and exertion, more than freedom
from toil, strain, or activity of any kind. What was created on the seventh day? ‘Tranquility,
serenity, peace, and repose’.
The Sabbath rest in Scripture refers to the Israelite’s liberation from slavery in Egypt: “For
remember that you too were once slaves in Egypt, and the Lord, your God, brought you from
there with His strong hand and outstretched arm. That is why the Lord, your God, has
commanded you to observed the Sabbath” (Deuteronomy 5:15;cf CCC 2170). Given this, the
celebration of the Sabbath commemorates this liberation and calls to free people from
oppression and injustice. In the New Testament, Jesus taught: “The Sabbath is made for man,
not man for the Sabbath”(Mark 2:27-28). He wanted to liberate people from legalistic
understanding of the law to genuine worship of God during Sabbath which directly connected
from serving other people. The New Sabbath is the day of Jesus’ resurrection which signifies
triumph over sin and death, and the hope for eternal life. Sunday is the New Sabbath for
Christians. It is the Easter celebration.
the Ten Commandments were also called DECALOQUE
preamble- mean an introduction
fatalism- is a belief that all things are predetermined and are unavoidable
idolatry- act of worshipping other gods
adoration- refers to worship characterized by deep love, respect, and devotion/ applicable only in connection with
God
veneration- is defined as proper attitude toward saints
homage- is a special honor or respect shown publicly
sorcery- is the art, practices, and spells of a person who exercises supernatural powers through the aid of evil
spirits
Satanism- is the worship of Satan which involves mockery of Christian symbols
reverence- deep respect or honor
Easter- holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus
service work- work directed toward service of neighbor
preoccupations- activities dealing with worldly concerns
