Ten Commandments

In the midst of all the social upheaval, injustice, and horrendous violence, where is God? God is with us in the Ten Commandments. God reveals himself simply and directly with love, and love is the fulfilling of God’s Law.

However, as secularism strengthens its foothold in society, it pushes God’s Law out of sight and for many, out of mind. For example, in 2005, the Supreme Court ruled that the Ten Commandments can be displayed on public property as long as the intent is not pushing a religious agenda. Meanwhile a recent Gallup survey found that belief in God continues to decline.

God’s Word

While a public display of the Ten Commandments is hard to find, no law or ruling should stop us from displaying the Commandments through our daily living. “The Ten Commandments are engraved by God in the human heart” [CCC 2072]. Therefore, let us ponder God’s Word.

• I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have strange gods before me.
• Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
• Remember, thou keep holy the Lord’s Day.
• Honor thy father and thy mother.
• Thou shalt not kill.
• Thou shalt not commit adultery.
• Thou shalt not steal.
• Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
• Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.
• Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.

Commitment

What God puts into our hearts requires a lifetime commitment—a commitment rooted in love. By his love, God gives us his Son Jesus Christ to teach us the way. Through Jesus, we receive the Beatitudes which guide us in our decisions as we carry out our God-given responsibilities. “The beatitude of heaven sets the standards for discernment in the use of earthly goods in keeping with the law of God” [CCC 1729].

The Beatitudes “purify our hearts in order to teach us to love God above all things” [CCC 1728]. However, a growing percentage of the population believes life’s responsibilities can be fulfilled without devotion to God. For example, we have laws for our protection and well-being. Yet, we see laws break every day, causing much pain and suffering. The fact is without God, life comes to a dead end.

God’s Will and Grace

Should we grow weak in our resolve to follow God’s will, remember: “What God commands he makes possible by his grace” [CCC 2082]. Let us not cut ourselves off from this grace. Let us not deny ourselves God’s love, protection, and presence in our lives.

God’s commandments preserve the sanctity and dignity of human life. As Christ said: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” [Matthew 22:37–39].

Truly, our Lord shows us how to live on earth for eternal life in heaven. With our loving commitment to God and his commandments, we can be the light that guides those who are lost. By our daily devotion we can end suffering with loving mercy and bring peace to our world. Following God’s will with his grace, we can have heaven on earth. Amen.