Deacon Dan Gannon, J.D., M.A. Life In Christ The 2 nd The 3rd The 4 th Commandments

Deacon Dan Gannon, J.D., M.A.

Life In Christ•The 2nd •The 3rd•The 4th Commandments

Tonight … 2142-2257

Life In Christ The 2nd The 3rd The 4th Commandment

Review - Decalogue

Always in context of Christ’s New Law of love

Not “rules” but “covenant-love”God of OT = bad rap… “taskmaster”

Decalogue – In Perspective Christian morality finds its origin in the

question of happiness (beatitude) set out in Beatitudes/Sermon on Mount

… NOT negative moral precepts

Decalogue – In Perspective St. Thomas: Old law was

incomplete / imperfect…

… it ordered people to God, but it did not instill within them the power to reach God

“I will put my law within them and I will rite it upon their hearts…” (Jer. 31:31)

“I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes…” (Ez. 32:26)

“I will put my law within them and I will rite it upon their hearts…” (Jer. 31:31)

“I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes…” (Ez. 32:26)

Decalogue – In Perspective Jesus’ New Law of Love

… in relation to Old Law

“Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish

them but to fulfill them …” (Matt 5:17)

“I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also

should love one another …” (Jn. 13:34)

“Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish

them but to fulfill them …” (Matt 5:17)

“I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also

should love one another …” (Jn. 13:34)

The Rich Young Man

Mark 10Set’s whole tone of CCC into DecalogueKeeping commandments in the

minimalistic sense is necessary but not sufficient for Jesus!

PerfectionGrace and sacramental life REQUIRED!

Mother & Teacher Not a ‘legalist’ but a ‘lover’ – “voice of our

Mother”… Protector of “covenant love”

The Church, Mother and Teacher

Decalogue – Love of God & Neighbor

First tablet: 3 commandments = love of God “You shall love the Lord your God with all

your heart, soul and mind …” (Deut 6:5)

Second tablet: 7 commandments = love of neighbor – “You shall love neighbor as yourself…” (Lv 19:17; Mk 12:28)

Decalogue – Love of God & Neighbor

The Greatest Commandment as Jesus calls it … STANDS ABOVE the 10 Commandments as the COVENANT precedes God’s giving of the Decalogue!

The relationship/covenant with God is the GOOD to which the Commandments are ordered!

The One WORD joins God and humanity in His Person as the two tablets are joined by Great Commandment

Covenant = Greatest CommandmentCovenant = Greatest Commandment

Agenda Tonight

Last time … The Church The Decalogue First Commandment

Tonight – 2nd 3rd 4th Commandments Small groups until 7:50 Focus on … key themes 8pm – 9pm lecture (2142 – 2257)

The Second Commandment

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” (Ex. 20:7; Deut. 5:11)

“You have heard that it was said to the men of old, "You shall not swear falsely. . . ." But I say to you, Do not swear at all.” (Mt. 5:33)

The Name of the Lord is HOLY…

2142 The second commandment prescribes

reverence for the Lord's name. Like the first commandment, it belongs to the

virtue of religion and more particularly it governs our use of speech in sacred matters


2142 – Like First Commandment, belongs to virtue of religion.

St. Thomas – Summa: “religion may be derived from "religare" [to bind together], wherefore Augustine says, “May religion bind us to the one Almighty God.”

(De Vera Relig. 55)

The holy name of God binds us to Him in an intimate, unique, relational manner.The holy name of God binds us to Him in an intimate, unique, relational manner.


2142 – Second Commandment belongs to virtue of religion…(St. Thomas cont’d)

“a virtue is that which makes its possessor good, and his act good likewise…”

“…to render anyone his due has the aspect of good…”

“Since then it belongs to religion to pay due honor to someone, namely, to God, it is evident that religion is a virtue.”


2142 – Second Commandment belongs to virtue of religion…(cont’d)

Treating the Lord’s name with respect is rendering to the Lord His due… i.e. worship, praise …

Treating the Lord’s name with respect is rendering to the Lord His due… i.e. worship, praise …

“The sense of the sacred is part of the virtue of religion.” 2144


“Holy” = sacred, “religious awe” (Latin: sacer); notion of separateness …. BUT:

Intimacy = covenant love

The gift of a name belongs to the order of trust and intimacy. "The Lord's name is holy." For this reason man must not abuse it. He must keep it in mind in silent, loving adoration. He will not introduce it into his own speech except to bless, praise, and glorify it. 2143

The gift of a name belongs to the order of trust and intimacy. "The Lord's name is holy." For this reason man must not abuse it. He must keep it in mind in silent, loving adoration. He will not introduce it into his own speech except to bless, praise, and glorify it. 2143

Yet, the infinite almighty and holy God reveals his intimate NAME to us…. There is an mystery to God

’s transcendence yet His condescension in telling us his name

… as he did to His people, after God delivered them from slavery…

Yahweh =“I AM Who AM”



Revelation of God’s name is: a disclosure (I am with you) and also… “something like a refusal of a name” (206)

Yahweh = “I AM Who AM”

…. it is beyond every name we can apply! …. it is beyond every name we can apply!

God introduces to us … through His NAME: to the truth of Himself of His own singular deity/identity and with us to bless us.

… in the howling waste.

Foreshadows indwelling and life of Trinity

Yahweh can also be rendered “I am WITH YOU” (Emmanuel)Yahweh can also be rendered “I am WITH YOU” (Emmanuel)


Jesus teaches us to treat God’s name as sacred:

BXVI – Jesus' inclusion of "hallowed be thy name" is a plea for the sanctification of God's name, to "protect the wonderful mystery of his accessibility to us, and constantly assert his true identity as opposed to our distortion of it.”

Our Father… hallowed be thy name…Our Father… hallowed be thy name…


In the ancient world – to know name of the god of your nation was to be able to invoke his power and bring that power against enemies

God demonstrated this in Egypt already – the greatest God to the lowliest of people. This is great spiritual foreshadowing – Mary, spiritual poverty, Paul’s weakness…

God demonstrated this in Egypt already – the greatest God to the lowliest of people. This is great spiritual foreshadowing – Mary, spiritual poverty, Paul’s weakness…


… the almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name …

Because His name is Holy, 2nd Commandment forbids abuse of God’s name

Blasphemy – the use of the name of God, of Jesus Christ, of the Virgin Mary, and the saints in an offensive way…

Note: “extends to language against Christ’s Church, saints, and sacred things …”


2146

2148

It is itself a grave sin - 2148

Oaths / Promises – made to others in God’s name calls on His truthfulness, fidelity and authority Must be faithful to them False oaths obviously forbidden

– makes God to be a “liar” Perjury (2152)

“Just say YES”…. Mt. 5:33


2147

2149


God’s name is great when spoken with respect for the greatness of his majesty. God’s name is holy when said with veneration and fear of offending him.

– St. Augustine

God’s name is great when spoken with respect for the greatness of his majesty. God’s name is holy when said with veneration and fear of offending him.

– St. Augustine

Taking the Name of the Lord in Vain

“You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him, and swear by His name.” (Deut. 6:13)

An oath engages the Lord’s name:

Rejection of false oaths is a duty toward God. Human speech is either in accord with or in opposition to God who is Truth itself.

St. Thomas More … an oath is nothing other than words we speak to God


2151


St. Thomas More died rather than take a false oath and deny the truth of the primacy of the Roman Pontiff

St. Thomas More died rather than take a false oath and deny the truth of the primacy of the Roman Pontiff

“Vain” = to no purpose or effect; futile; empty … opposed to the powerful use of

God’s name for the power of good, healing, prayer…

Invoking God’s name as an expression of anger, hatred, frustration or curse is to insult God!

Taking the Lord’s Name in Vain

Imagine using your spouse or loved one’s name whenever you were angry …Imagine using your spouse or loved one’s name whenever you were angry …

Rather…

We speak the name of our beloved with respect, honor, and especially tender LOVE…

Taking the Lord’s Name in Vain

Add after hearing the Lord’s name in vain “… may he be blessed!”

Add after hearing the Lord’s name in vain “… may he be blessed!”

The Holy Name of JESUS

The unseen God and unspeakable name … became flesh in Jesus – Image of God

Gabriel announced the name “Jesus” = savior…

St. Paul – “At the name of Jesus, every knee must bend…”St. Paul – “At the name of Jesus, every knee must bend…”

At the center of Economy of Salvation…

The holiness of the divine name demands that we neither use it for trivial matters


Peter invokes the name of Jesus in healing (Acts 3:6)

We invoke Jesus’ name in prayer

Tradition of bowing head at Jesus’ name

Feast Jan 3rd Just say YES

(Mt. 5:33; Jas 5:12)


Invoked with confidence… Brings help in bodily needs Gives consolation in spiritual

trials Protects us against Satan Obtains every grace/blessing

“If you ask the Father anything in my name He will give it to you” (Jn 16:23)

“If you ask the Father anything in my name He will give it to you” (Jn 16:23)


“And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Col. 3:17

The Holy Trinity Revealed

The very nature of God: “In the NAME of the Father Son and Holy Spirit…”

We make the sign of the cross as we pronounce the “name” of God (not “name-s”) (2157, 2166) Intimate revelation – led to inner

life of Trinity

C

Holy Trinit

y

The Church: Mystical Body / Christ’s Voice

Old Covenants & ProphetsForeshadowing Christ…

Creation & Fall

Man’s divinization

New Jerusalem

“Economy (oikonomia = Plan) of Salvation”

Incarnation

Paschal Sacrifice

CREED

SACRAMENTAL LIFE

MORAL LIFE

PRAYER

Christian Names

God calls each one by name (cf. Isa 43:1) (2167)

In Baptism, the Christian receives his name in the Church. Parents, godparents, and the pastor are to see that he be given a Christian name.

The patron saint provides a model of charity and the assurance of his prayer. (2165)

Third Commandment – Keep the Sabbath Holy

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work. (Ex 20:8-10; Cf. Deut. 5:12

“The sabbath was made for man not man for the sabbath…”

21682169

Third Commandment – Keep the Sabbath Holy Recalls creation – Lord’s

rest Recalls Israel’s liberation

from bondage Entrusted to Israel as sign

of irrevocable covenant God’s solemn rest is a

Model for human action

2170 - 2172

Third Commandment – Keep the Sabbath Holy… he said to them, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life, rather than to destroy it?”

2173

Third Commandment – Keep the Sabbath Holy

Rest as a model: Sabbath a day for prayer “Being” not “doing”

Counter-cultural … activity rules Distinguished Israel from neighbors

Trust in the Lord Begin week with being and

receiving God’s blessing … which leads to fruitful doing

“Operatio sequitur esse”

Third Commandment – Keep the Sabbath Holy Prayer / rest … leads to holiness! The tree is known by its fruit …

The fruit of silence is prayerThe fruit of prayer is serviceThe fruit of service is loveThe fruit of love is peace

- Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

The Lord’s Day: New Creation The Gospel reports many

incidents when Jesus was accused of violating the sabbath law. But Jesus never fails to respect the holiness of this day. Service / Charity

He gives this law its authentic and authoritative interpretation: "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath."

2173

The Lord’s Day: New Creation

“The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath”

By rising from the dead … Jesus transforms the sabbath (2174) Jesus rose on “first day of the

week” (Mt. 28:1) Recalls first creation … Heals

fallen creation Died to Old Law and rose to a

New Covenant


Christ’s Resurrection and fulfillment of the Paschal Mystery mirrors the Old Covenant Creation – “8th day” – world renewed Covenant – everlasting sacrifice “once for all” Liberation – from sin through Christ/baptism Rest – Christ’s perfect rest in tomb


Sabbath made for man – i.e. his salvation!

Christ rising on “8th day” – eternal rest


In light of New Covenant – Sunday replaces old sabbath (2175)

Precept of the Church – grave obligation

Covenant love requires concrete relationship to Christ/Church (2176)

Third Commandment – Eucharist and Obligation

Also, other holy days of obligation Cannot pray at home as in

Church -St. John Chrysostom

The Sunday celebration of the Lord's Day and his Eucharist is at the heart of the Church's life. "Sunday is the day on which the paschal mystery is celebrated in light of the apostolic tradition and is to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal Church.“ 2177 (CIC 1246 s.1); 2180

2178 This practice of the Christian assembly dates from the beginnings of the apostolic age.

Third Commandment – Eucharist and Obligation

2181 The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice.

2178 This practice of the Christian assembly dates from the beginnings of the apostolic age.

… the liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows. SC n.10

Third Commandment - Rest

Israel’s failure to observe Sabbath rest is one of the reasons for its later punishment at time of Babylonian exile.

God promised in Lev. 26 to “devastate the land” and so regain his lost Sabbaths that way:

“As long as it lies desolate it shall have rest, the rest which it had not in your Sabbaths when you dwelt upon it.”

Third Commandment - Rest Sundays and holy days: refrain from

all unnecessary work- i.e. to abstain from those labors and business concerns which impede the worship to be rendered to God, the joy which is proper to the Lord's Day, or the proper relaxation of mind and body (CIC 1247) Abstain from worldly pursuits Exemption for urgent family duties or

responsibilities in society (2181)

2184-2188


... Yet more than a precept, the observance should be seen as a need rising from the depths of Christian life. It is crucially important that all the faithful should be convinced that they cannot live their faith or share fully in the life of the Christian community unless they take part regularly in the Sunday Eucharistic assembly

- Dies Domini


Put worship, prayer, “being” FIRST Sabbath rest is about relationships

God Neighbor

Daily Mass – “strongly recommended” (CIC)

Daily prayer

Fourth Commandment – Honor Your Father and Mother

Now begins the “second tablet”…

“Love your neighbor as yourself”

Our first “neighbor” is in our own house! Paul to Romans: love fulfills the law Parents are symbol of both God and neighbor CCC sets out obligations both ways

2196

Fourth Commandment – Honor Your Father and Mother

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you.’ (Ex 20:12; Deut 5:16)

Order of charity (2197) Observing 4th Commandment

has spiritual and temporal blessings

He was obedient to them (Lk 2:51)

He was obedient to them (Lk 2:51)

Fourth Commandment – Image of the Trinitarian Life

Family relationships reveal life of Trinity

Community of Faith, Hope and Charity (2204)

Father, Mother, Child = Trinity (2205) God’s pattern in creation –

natural law His image revealed in family

Breakdown of family decimates culture and is attack on image of GodBreakdown of family decimates culture and is attack on image of God

Fourth Commandment – Image of the Trinitarian Life Family is the “domestic church” – JPII

“school of love and first lesson is to honor our parents” Cf. 2204

Family prayer

“It is only the rock of total irrevocable love between a man and a woman that can serve as the foundation on which to build a society that will become a home for all mankind.” – Ben XVI

“It is only the rock of total irrevocable love between a man and a woman that can serve as the foundation on which to build a society that will become a home for all mankind.” – Ben XVI

Fourth Commandment – Family & Society & Duties

Family is prior institution to all others in society “original cell of social life” (2207) Shapes society

"The well being of the individual person and of both human and Christian society is closely bound up with the healthy state of conjugal and family life" (GS 47 § 1).

No state has right to intrude on family or question its right to exist, nor can it change the definition of the family Legislation changing terminology


Duties of children to parents (2214-2220) Obedience – unless contrary to God’s

law Respect – in filial love Care of them in older age – often

shunned as “unproductive” in culture of death

2220: For Christians a special gratitude is due to those from whom they have received the gift of faith…parents, grandparents, other members of the family, pastors, catechists, and other teachers or friends. "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you.” (2 Tim 1:5)


Duties of parents to children (2221-2231) Not exempt from Christ’s law of love Patient, kind meek; example of servant Sacramental life; prayer

Duties to state: cooperate but not follow orders of the state if violate God’s law.

2223: He who loves his son will not spare the rod....

He who disciplines his son will profit by him. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger,

but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.


How does the Shepherd use the “rod”? To beat the sheep into

submission? The “rod” we use in the New

Law of Love is the staff of the Good Shepherd, prodding, leading, encouraging the sheep towards the “narrow gate”.

Parents show same Christian love and patience to children


Yet … God is most important; has

priority over all relationships

“He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Mt. 10:37)

Blood is thicker than water … BUT NOT the waters of Baptism!

Suggested Reading …

Servais Pinckaers, O.P. The Sources of Christian Ethics (The Catholic University of America Press, Washington, D.C.), 1995.

Michael Dauphinais, Knowing the Love of Christ (University of Notre Dame Press, Notre Dame, Indiana), 2002.

Dom Hubert Van Zeller, The Inner Search (Sheed and Ward, New York), 1957.

Evangelium Vitae (Gospel of Life) – John Paul II

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Documents

Deacon Dan Gannon, J.D., M.A. Life In Christ The 2 nd The 3rd The 4 th Commandments