This lesson is based on the text, Life in Christ: A Catholic Catechism for Adults, by Rev. Gerard Weber and Rev. James Killgallon (Acta Publications, 1995). The question in bold type is followed by a short answer taken from the text. The text in italics is another answer from the RCIA teacher, Jim Collins. Hyperlinks in red will direct you to documents or websites related to the topic. The entire sequence of lessons forms a comprehensive approach to basic RCIA instruction.
Questions: Section 34: The First Three Commandments
What is the significance of the Ten Commandments? They flow from the covenant with God to love God and neighbor, so they must be obeyed. The Ten Commandments form the basis of the moral law which God himself gave to Moses. They are the pillars of morality by which we should conform our behavior as God’s children.
What is the first commandment? “I the Lord, am your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery. You shall not have other gods besides me” (Ex 20:2-3). The first commandment commands us to practice faith, hope and love. I am the Lord, Thy God. Thou shalt not have strange gods before me.
How do we practice faith, hope, and love? We practice faith by believing all the truths which the Church teaches as revealed to us by God. We practice faith by believing in God beyond all reason. We practice hope by relying on God’s mercy. We practice hope by trusting in God even it the most trying of circumstances. We practice love by keeping all the commandments and doing the works of mercy. We practice love when we choose to place God’s will and the needs of our neighbor first, before our own desires and needs.
How serious are sins against faith? They are the most serious because they strike at the very foundation of our relationship to God. Sins against faith are very serious because they may destroy our relationship with God.
What are the sins against faith? They are: (a) denial of the truths taught by the Church; (b) deliberate doubt about any truth of faith; (c) failure to profess the faith when obliged to do so; (d) failure to obtain necessary religious instruction; (e) reading books dangerous to our faith; refusal to accept the authority of the pope; (g) worship of some created thing instead of God; (h) superstition; (i) attendance at spiritualistic séances or consultation of mediums. Some sins against faith are: worshipping false gods such as material wealth, denying the existence of God, denying that Jesus is God, denying our Catholic faith and its creed, becoming involved in the occult, devil worship, or witchcraft.
What are the sins against hope? Presumption and despair. Some sins against hope are: despair, not trusting in God’s mercy, encouraging others to give up on God’s influence in our lives, suicide.
How does one sin by presumption? Assuming that salvation can be obtained by one’s own efforts without God’s help or by God’s action without one’s own cooperation. One sins by presumption by presuming that God will act in our lives as if he owed us something for our prayers.
What is despair? The refusal to trust that God will forgive our sins and give us the means of salvation. Despair is the absence of all hope.
What are the sins against love? All sins especially those treated under the fifth commandment. All sins are failures in our love of God or neighbor by commission or omission.
What is the second commandment? ”You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain” (Ex 20:7) showing reverence to god and his holy name. Thou shall not take the name of the Lord, Thy God, in vain.
What are the sins against the second commandment? (a) blasphemy, showing lack of respect for God, his Church, the saints, or holy objects: (b) irreverence in using the name of God, Jesus or the saints; (c) cursing—calling down evil upon another; (d) swearing—calling upon God to witness the truth of what we are saying; (e) breaking a vow. Sins against the second commandment include: blasphemy, cursing, swearing, using God’s name improperly outside of prayer. Taking irreverent oaths in the name of God is also sinful.
What is the third commandment? “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day. Six days you may labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord, your God” (Ex 20:8-9) Remember Thou Keep Holy the Lord’s Day.
Why did the Church change the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday? Using the power of binding and loosing, the pope changed the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday in memory of the resurrection and the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Based on the biblical tradition that one day ends at sundown and the next day begins at dusk, Sunday Masses are performed also on Saturday evenings. Early Christians celebrated the Lord’s Day in memory of the resurrection of Jesus which took place on a Sunday.
How are we obliged to worship God on Sundays and holy days of obligation? Church law binds us to assist at Mass on Sundays and holy days. Yes, we are obliged to do so according to the law of the Catholic Church.
Is our attendance and participation in the Sunday Mass an obligation? Except for a serious inconvenience, we are obliged to attend Mass, an opportunity to meet and pray with others who share our religious convictions. Yes, we are to take an active part at Sunday Mass.
Is assistance at Mass all that is required on Sundays and holy days? We are obliged to assist at Mass, but the spirit of the law requires a real sanctification of the whole day. Assistance at Mass is the primary obligation. We are also to avoid unnecessary work on Sundays. See Holy Days of Obligation at: http://www.beginningcatholic.com/catholic-holy-days-of-obligation.html
What kind of work is forbidden on Sunday? Unnecessary work is forbidden. We are to avoid unnecessary physical labor on Sundays in order to promote the “sanctification of the whole day.”
What kind of work is permitted on Sunday? Police, railroad work, drugstore, medical work, cooking, dishwashing. Work which is necessary to provide for our basic human needs (food, shelter, safety, recreation) is permitted on Sunday. Employment which is essential in providing for family needs, farm labor necessary to harvest crop to prevent spoiling food resources.
See Examination of Conscience at: http://repent.ch/rules_of_god%20Catholic.htm
Saint for the week: St. Bernadette
Prayer for the Week: An Act of Love (Charity)
O my God, I love you above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because you are all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of you. I forgive all who have injured me and ask pardon of all whom I have injured.