The 10 Commandments

"Yahweh made this covenant not with our ancestors, but with us, with all of us alive here today." (Deuteronomy 5:3).

1. I am Yahweh your God who brought you out of Egypt, out of the place of slave-labor. You will have no gods other than me.

Where is your Egypt and where is your place of slave-labor? From what has the Lord delivered you? What is holding you in bondage today? What the Lord did in the past, He can repeat today. If you have been delivered from bondage or from the place of slave-labor, hold fast to your freedom. Do not lose it again.

2. You must not misuse the name of Yahweh your God, for Yahweh will not leave unpunished anyone who uses his name for what is false.

The Opening Prayer in the Memorial Mass of a saint touches on the special gift of the saint. Thus, the Opening Prayer on the feast of St. Ignatius Loyola says: "Father, you gave St. Ignatius of Loyola to your Church to bring greater glory to your name. May we follow his example on earth and share the crown of life in heaven..." Ignatius like many saints had an extraordinary love for the name of Jesus. The Scripture foretold this love when it says: "At the name of Jesus every knee must bend, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth; every tongue should proclaim to the glory of God the Father: Jesus Christ is Lord." (Philippians 2: 10 - 11)

What does the name of Jesus mean to us?

3. "Observe the Sabbath day and keep it holy, as Yahweh your God has commanded you. Labor for six days, doing all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath for Yahweh your God. You must not do any work that day. "

Do you see Sunday as a gift of God to us to help us to renew ourselves spiritually, emotionally and physically? If we understand the idea behind this commandment, we will understand that every commandment is for our benefit.

4. Honor your father and your mother, as Yahweh your God has commanded you, so that you may have long life and may prosper in the country which Yahweh your God is giving you.

5. You must not kill.

6. You must not commit adultery.

7. You must not steal.

8. You must not give false evidence against your fellow.

9. You must not set your heart on your neighbor's spouse.

10. You must not set your heart on your neighbor's house, or field, or servant - man or woman - or ox, or donkey or any of your neighbor's possessions.