9th Commandment: “You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife” 10th Commandment: “You shall not covet your neighbour’s goods” What is coveting? Coveting is a desire or yearning to possess or have something or someone. If what we covet is obtained through legal, proper, justifiable means, then that is not an issue. The problem begins when…
The Ten Commandments: 8th Commandment: Don’t Lie Lah
“You shall not bear false witness” A lie is a lie, regardless whether it is white, black, yellow, orange or whatever. Some people lie to get out of an uncomfortable situation. Some lie because they do not want others to know their true self. Some lie because they want to gain prestige and importance. Some…
The Ten Commandments: 7th Commandment: Don’t Steal
“You shall not steal” Why do people steal? So many excuses and reasons could come forth, but the root of it all is greed and pride. If we are content with what we have, then stealing should not occur. However, some of us may not be content or satisfied. The urge of having something more,…
The Ten Commandments: 6th Commandment: No Adultery
“You shall not commit adultery” Someone once joked that if infants should enjoy their infancy, so adults should enjoy their adultery. While this statement may sound funny, it is certainly no laughing matter in meaning and practice. If we have: Had unchaste relations in thought, word and deed with another’s wife or husband Watched or…
The Ten Commandments: 5th Commandment: Don’t Kill
“You shall not kill” Would anyone in his or her right mind kill another person? Perhaps not. But there are ways a person can kill another person directly or indirectly, and we should be discerning enough to know and prevent such ways from happening. If we have: Wilfully murdered another person Committed or attempted suicide…
The Ten Commandments: 4th Commandment: Honour father and mother
“Honour your father and your mother” As children, we are often taught to love, respect and obey our parents. As we grow up, we are also taught to show obedience to lawful civil authorities, as well as obedience to religious superiors (especially with matters concerning faith and morals). However, if some us have: Shown hatred…
The Ten Commandments: 3rd Commandment: Keep Holy the Lord’s Day
“Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day” Most of us are busy people, but we should take care not to overdo things. Sometimes we do too much at the expense of something else. Perhaps the something else could be our health, and all the effort in doing so much ends up in poor health or…
The Ten Commandments: 2nd Commandment: Don’t play play with God’s name
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” Some of us may be guilty of being too quick in saying something, only to regret later. Others may habitually use “flowery” words in one form or another, without realising or considering the degrading consequences of such words. As Catholics, we are…
The Ten Commandments: 1st Commandment: God and God alone
“I am the Lord your God, you shall have no strange gods besides me” Some folks think that just because they go to church, come regularly for Mass, help out in church activities; it seems unlikely that they could ever break this commandment. However, one might be surprised to discover that one could appear to…
The Ten Commandments: A Refresher – Introduction
Some of us may have forgotten or are unsure what the 10 commandments mean. So, to help these folks, here is a summary of the 10 commandments to help us especially in preparation for the sacrament of confession. I am the Lord your God, you shall have no strange gods besides me You shall not…