Exodus 20:1-17; Psalms 18(19); 1 Corinthians 1:22-25; John 2:13-25
Ten Words of Life
Dear friends, today is the Third Sunday of Lent. We have three more weeks to complete our Lenten observance and celebrate Easter. Have you ever used crutches or seen someone using them? Crutches are used by those who for one reason or another cannot support their body weight with their legs and walk properly. Crutches help them to use their hands and shoulders to support themselves.
In today’s first reading, we hear about the Ten Commandments also known as the Decalogue. God gave the people of Israel these ten words at the foot of Mount Sion to help them live according to his will, this is the second time that God has given human beings commandments. The first one was given to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden about the tree of life, “You are free to eat from any of the trees of the garden, except the tree of knowledge of good and bad. From that tree you shall not eat; the moment you eat from it you are surely doomed to die” (Genesis 2:16-17). Because of disregarding the commandment of the Lord, the earth was cursed, and human life changed for good. Men and women were unable to desire the good purely on their own. God gave them the Ten Commandments to caution their conscience to choose the good and avoid evil. God’s commandments are, therefore, not burdens but rather aids for us in our journey to righteousness, they are like crutches for our broken life.
The Ten Commandments are divided into two main parts. The first three help us to maintain a good relationship with God and the rest help us to have good relationships with others. All of them are interconnected and we cannot break one without consequently breaking the rest. The first speaks about the unique reverence we should accord God himself. All things that take away our attention and obedience from God can be termed “other gods”. Whatever exists on earth is created by God and cannot take the place of God. Taking the name of the Lord in vain is using the name of God to justify any type of evil and selfishness. The Holy Sabbath is a day to remember that God is God and man is only a weak creature that without God cannot do anything. It is the day set aside to honor and worship our creator and remember that all comes from him. All that destructs us from worshipping the Lord on Sunday automatically becomes idol worship.
The fourth commandment places our parents second after God and it is the only one with a promise to those who keep it. The fifth reminds us that since we are not the authors of life, we have no authority to decide anyone’s life must cease no matter what circumstances may be, including the unborn in their mother’s womb. Selfish interests make people take the lives of others because they have the power and resources to do so. What they forget is that they too will one day die and face judgment. Thou shall not commit adultery with someone who is not your lawful wife or husband, you shall not take something that does not belong to you, stop being lazy and go and sweat for your livelihood. Stop telling lies because they harm others. So many people are suffering because of the lies we tell. Lies break relationships. Many are serving prison sentences for crimes they did not commit. God commanded us to work and not be lazy around. Do not covert someone’s properties including their spouse look for your own.
Well, these are easier said than practiced. However, with proper formation of our conscience, and enough measure of discipline, keeping the commandments can become part of life. However, many have added the eleventh commandment which is literally interpreted say, “Thou shall not be caught”. This one we keep very faithfully. What does God’s commandment mean to me?
The psalmist is telling us that the law of the Lord is immaculate and wise. If we follow the law of the Lord, we are going to live happy and meaningful lives. Life separated from God may look marvelous from the outside but in reality, it has no true and lasting happiness.
For many generations, God sent prophets and leaders to help the people remain true to his commandments. When the people obeyed, there was happiness and prosperity. When they disobeyed there was suffering and death. During those days, many suffered because of the decisions made by others. Children paid for the sins of their parents and citizens suffered because of the decisions of their kings. Finally, God sent his son Jesus to save all of us from this vicious cycle. Jesus became the culmination of the law and all we have to do now is believe in him and live according to his teachings. Jews always wanted to keep God invisible and very far to get an excuse to disobey his commandments. This is what many of us want also. That is why it became a scandal to them that God became man. The Gentiles who had no faith in God but relied on their own philosophy regarded the idea that God made man as unthinkable and utter foolishness. However, for us who have tasted salvation through Christ, we know that God has made his abode with us. We have access to him any time we want to. All we must do is strive to be good as he is Good.
Today many Christians do not go to Church for many reasons. One of the major reasons is that they do not know what going to Church means. Some think that going to Church is something we do to look ‘cool’ in the community. However, going to the marketplaces, and shopping malls, and hanging out with friends make us look more fashionable than these can replace going to Church. Others think that the Church is a place of miracles to get wealthy and prosperous. Again, there are many other ways to achieve wealth and prosperity, so why bother going to Church. Others are in the Church today not because they are worshippers but because it is a good business. No wonder today we have sole proprietorship-owned churches all over. That is why leadership positions in the Church have become so much politicized and highly campaigned for. Some have refused to leave those positions because if they do so they get out of business. Why do I go to Church?
Jesus drew the businesspeople from the temple as a sign that the house of God must be kept holy. The basic temple of the Lord is our own lives, and we are called today to draw out all actions, thoughts, and words that are defiling this temple. Is my body the temple of the Lord?
Have a blessed Sunday.
Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD
SVD JAMBO KENTAN 