Tag: Ten Commandments

The seventh commandment, which defends the right to private property, requires us to respect the goods of others, practice justice and charity, and be prudent and moderate in the use of resources. It also involves respecting promises, making reparations, and avoiding theft and other forms of wrongdoing. Additionally, we must treat animals with kindness and avoid excessive love or misuse of them. As the Catechism reminds us, private property exists to serve the needs of human beings, and wasting resources is akin to stealing from the poor and hungry.

The Catholic Church teaches that “Peace in this world, which is required for the respect and development of human life, is not simply the absence of war or a balance of power between adversaries. It is ‘the tranquility of order’ (Saint Augustine), ‘the work of justice’ (Isaiah 32:17) and the effect of charity. Earthly peace is the image and fruit of the peace of Christ” (CCCC 481).

The Catholic Church recognizes the sacredness of human life and provides guidance on how to treat embryos, the sick, and the dying with respect and dignity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church outlines the obligation to protect human life, and addresses the morality of medical experiments and organ donation, as well as guidelines for end-of-life care. Let us explore this important moral and ethical issue through the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Catholic teaching states that human life must be respected because it is sacred. It is not lawful for anyone to destroy an innocent human being. However, there are times when our duty is to defend life, especially our own. We can legitimately defend ourselves while choosing not to kill.

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).

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).

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.