It is worth remembering that the fourth commandment is not the first of the commandments. “Family ties are important but not absolute, because the first vocation of a Christian is to follow Jesus and love him…” (CCCC 462).
Tag: Bite-size theology
BITE-SIZE THEOLOGY (206): How do we honor the Lord’s name and observe the Lord’s Day?
How should we keep Sunday holy? “Christians keep Sunday and other days of obligation holy by participating in the Eucharist of the Lord and by refraining from those activities which impede the worship of God and disturb the joy proper to the day of the Lord or the necessary relaxation of mind and body….” (CCCC 453).
BITE-SIZE THEOLOGY (205): What is the virtue of religion and what does it ask of us?
When we hear the word “justice,” we often think of what we ought to give to others. But the first “other” is God. The virtue of religion reminds us of our duty of justice towards God – our Creator, our Redeemer, and our Sanctifier.
BITE-SIZE THEOLOGY (204): What does the first commandment require of us?
The first commandment requires us to adore God alone. Thus, the Lord Jesus reminded the devil, “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve” (Matthew 4:10). But there are times when we break the first commandment. When we fail to safeguard three virtues…
BITE-SIZE THEOLOGY (203): What are occasions of sin? And what does “cooperation in evil” mean?
What is cooperation in evil? Cooperation in evil is concurrence in another’s sinful act. Cooperation in evil is different from scandal.
BITE-SIZE THEOLOGY (202): How do we handle temptation?
God allows us to be tempted in order to test our virtue and to give us an opportunity to grow and to earn merit. Nonetheless, He takes our capability into account and supplies us with His grace.
BITE-SIZE THEOLOGY (201): How grave are the obligations commanded in the Decalogue?
The goal of the Christian life is far beyond the reach of our wounded nature, almost humanly impossible. The requirements are extreme. This is why Jesus Christ teaches us that we have to count on Him and on His grace.
BITE-SIZE THEOLOGY (200): Does the New Law supersede the Old?
The Decalogue (Divine Positive Law) is an explicit statement of what the Natural Law requires of us. Hence, it covers not only Catholics or Christians, but all men. Jesus Christ confirms the commands of the Old Law but reveals more demands for His followers.
BITE-SIZE THEOLOGY (199): What about envy, gluttony, anger and sloth?
Some people take training courses on anger management. In contrast, Christianity offers a course on anger prevention.
BITE-SIZE THEOLOGY (198): What are vainglory, avarice and lust?
The deadly sins of vainglory, avarice and lust tear down the creature of God to his base nature. It is only constant prayer, reception of the sacraments and the cardinal virtues of prudence, fortitude and temperance that will provide an able spiritual armor of protection.