Sarah Mitchell
The Catholic Church, along with Judaism and Lutheranism, recognizes the Ten Commandments as a set of religious rules. The Ten Commandments are considered a summary of the conditions of a life freed from the slavery of sin and are linked to the concept of the law of love, emphasizing the love of God and love of one's neighbor. While the Old Testament refers to ten individual commandments, there are more than ten imperative sentences in the texts found in Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21. The division and numbering of the commandments have evolved over time, with the Catholic Church following the system established by St. Augustine in the fifth century.
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What You'll Learn
The Ten Commandments in Catholic theology
The Ten Commandments, or Decalogue, are a series of religious and moral imperatives that are recognized as a moral foundation in several Abrahamic religions, including the Catholic Church. The Commandments are considered essential for spiritual good health and growth and serve as the basis for Catholic social teaching.
The Ten Commandments are first introduced in the Old Testament, in the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy. In the Old Testament, the Commandments are part of a covenant offered by God to the Israelites to free them from the spiritual slavery of sin. The first commandment in Jewish life is usually the creedal statement of Exodus 20:2: "I am the Lord your God". This affirmation of monotheism and loyalty is echoed in Deuteronomy 6:4. The second commandment in Jewish faith encompasses both Exodus 20:3 and 4, against polytheism and the making or worship of images of other deities or gods.
The Ten Commandments are referenced in the earliest Church writings, and they have occupied a predominant place in teaching the faith since the time of Augustine of Hippo (AD 354–430). Augustine is also responsible for the division of the texts in Exodus 20:1–17 and Deuteronomy 5:6–21 into ten individual commandments, modifying the original order in his book Questions on Exodus.
The Ten Commandments are:
- "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain"
- "Remember to keep holy the Lord's day"
- "Honour thy father and mother"
- "Thou shalt not kill"
- "Thou shalt not commit adultery"
- "Thou shalt not steal"
- "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour"
- "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife"
- "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's goods"
- "Thou shalt have no other gods before me"
The coming of Jesus is seen by the Catholic Church as the fulfillment of the Old Testament. Jesus acknowledged the Commandments and instructed his followers to go further, requiring more than the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments into two concise directives: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets."
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The Catechism and the Lord's Day
The Catholic Church recognizes ten commandments, which are a summary of "the conditions of a life freed from the slavery of sin". These commandments are a minimum standard of behaviour for Catholics, and they are linked together to form a coherent whole. Breaking one commandment is equivalent to breaking them all. They are derived from the Old Testament, specifically Exodus 20 1–17 and Deuteronomy 5:6–21, and were first divided into ten by St Augustine of Hippo in the fifth century. The Catechism, therefore, provides guidelines on how to observe the Lord's Day, which is one of the ten commandments.
The Lord's Day
The Lord's Day commandment states that Catholics must attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation. On these days, Catholics are forbidden from working or engaging in activities that hinder worshipping God. Instead, they are encouraged to perform works of mercy and relax in a spirit of joy. This commandment is based on Jesus' teaching that "the sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath", indicating that good works can be done on the day of rest when necessary.
The Catechism's Guidelines for Observing the Lord's Day
The Catechism provides specific instructions for Catholics to follow on the Lord's Day. These include:
- Attending Mass: Catholics are obliged to attend Mass unless prevented by a grave impediment. Pastors have a corresponding duty to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil this precept.
- No Work: Catholics are not allowed to work on the Lord's Day, as this is considered an activity that hinders worshipping God.
- Works of Mercy: While Catholics should refrain from work, they are encouraged to perform works of mercy, which involve helping those in need.
- Relaxation: The Catechism permits appropriate relaxation on the Lord's Day, as long as it is in a spirit of joy and does not hinder worship.
In conclusion, the Catechism provides clear guidelines for Catholics on how to observe the Lord's Day, one of the ten commandments. By attending Mass, refraining from work, performing works of mercy, and relaxing in a spirit of joy, Catholics can honour the Lord's Day and fulfil their religious obligations.
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The Commandments and the Old Testament
The Ten Commandments are a set of biblical laws that are a fundamental aspect of Judeo-Christian heritage. The Catholic Church considers the Commandments to be essential for spiritual well-being and growth and they serve as the basis for social justice. According to the Church, the Commandments are not just divine laws but also reflect the natural moral order.
The Ten Commandments first appear in the Old Testament, in the Book of Exodus, when Moses ascends Mount Sinai to meet God. The commandments are as follows:
- "You shall have no other gods before me"
- "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain"
- "Remember to keep holy the Lord's day"
- "Honour thy father and mother"
- "Thou shalt not kill" or "Thou shalt not murder"
- "Thou shalt not commit adultery"
- "Thou shalt not steal"
- "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour"
- "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife"
- "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's goods"
The Old Testament, however, does not specify how the text should be divided into ten commandments. The Catholic Church, along with Lutheran churches, follows the division proposed by Augustine of Hippo, which modifies the original order. This division, along with the interpretation of the commandments, was reiterated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church in 1992.
The New Testament reveals the full meaning of the commandments in relation to Jesus. Jesus acknowledged the validity of the commandments and instructed his followers to go beyond mere adherence to the letter of the law. According to Catholic teaching, Jesus freed people from the burden of the 613 regulations of the Torah or Mosaic Law while emphasising the enduring importance of the Ten Commandments.
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The Commandments and the New Covenant
The Ten Commandments, or Decalogue, are a set of biblical laws relating to morality and worship. They are a cornerstone of Judeo-Christian belief and are revered and practised by those of the Jewish and Christian faiths.
The Ten Commandments are traditionally understood to have been written by God and given to Moses on Mount Sinai. This event constituted a covenant between God and the Israelites. The commandments are found in the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy in the Old Testament. The Catholic Church, along with the Lutheran Church, follows a division of the texts derived by Augustine of Hippo, which results in the traditional Ten Commandments.
The coming of Jesus Christ is seen by the Catholic Church as the fulfilment of the Old Testament. Jesus himself acknowledged the Commandments but instructed his followers to go further, requiring a "righteousness [that] exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees". Jesus is understood to have freed people from the burden of the Jewish law, which contained 613 distinct regulations, but not from the obligation to keep the Ten Commandments.
The New Covenant, established by Jesus, is a new era in history and a new relationship between God and his people. The old covenant, with its laws and regulations, has passed away with the coming of Christ. Christians are no longer under the Law of Moses, but under the law of Christ. However, the Ten Commandments are still considered binding upon Christians and all of mankind. Nine of the Ten Commandments are repeated in the New Testament, expressing the will of God and transcendent moral norms. The commandments are:
- Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain
- Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day
- Honour thy father and mother
- Thou shalt not kill
- Thou shalt not commit adultery
- Thou shalt not steal
- Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour
- Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife
- Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's goods
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The Commandments and the law of love
The Ten Commandments are a cornerstone of Catholic theology, providing a moral framework for believers. They are a summary of "the conditions of a life freed from the slavery of sin", as described in Catechism 2057. The Commandments are not just a set of rules, but they are understood and interpreted in relation to the "law of love". This law of love is a fundamental principle in Catholic morality, encapsulating the love of God and love of one's neighbour.
The Ten Commandments, according to Catholic theology, are not arbitrary rules created by humans but rather God's ideas about humanity. They are seen as a natural law, applicable to all people, regardless of their religious affiliation. This universality is reflected in the opening words of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, which also appeals to natural law.
The Commandments are a minimum standard for moral behaviour, and breaking one is equivalent to breaking them all. They are not meant to be legalistic constraints but rather guidelines that promote a life of love and freedom from sin. Jesus himself acknowledged the Commandments and instructed his followers to go beyond mere rule-keeping, seeking a higher righteousness.
The specific division and numbering of the Commandments have varied throughout history, with the Catholic Church adopting the system established by St. Augustine in the 5th century. This differs slightly from the numbering used by other Christian denominations, such as the Eastern Orthodox Church and Protestant churches, but the substance remains the same.
The Commandments themselves include well-known injunctions such as "Thou shalt not kill", "Thou shalt not commit adultery", "Thou shalt not steal", and "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour". They provide a foundation for ethical conduct and a life centred on love and respect for God and others.
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