SINS AGAINST GOD

FIRST THREE COMMANDMENTS

The Decalogue

1. What is the decalogue?

Decalogue is the technical term for the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses on Sinai. The term literally means ten words. The first three commandments refer to loving and serving God, and the last three refer to our relations with our neighbor. (cf Ex 20:1-17; Deut 5:6-22). [glossary, 2055-56].

First Commandment

2. What is the text of the first of the Ten Commandments?

"I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down to them or serve them. (Ex 20:2-5; cf. Deut 5:6-9). [2083].

3. What does the book of Deuteronomy say about the essence of the first commandment?

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength." (Deut 6:5). [2133*, 2083].

4. What was the comment of Jesus about this quotation from Deuteronomy?

Jesus called this the first of the two great commandments, the second being to love one's neighbor as oneself. He said "The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments". (Mt 22: 36-40). [2196].

5. What is Matthew's summary of the first commandment?

The summary form is "Thou shalt Worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (Mt 4:10). [2083? or 2084?].

6. How does the first commandment involve faith, hope and love (charity)?

When we say God we confess a constant, unchangeable being, in whom we have complete faith. He is almighty and merciful; who would not place all hope in him? Who could not love him, when contemplating his goodness and love poured out on us? [2086].

7 What are some of the sins against the first commandment?

Some of the sins against the first commandment are agnosticism, atheism, despair, divination, heresy, idolatry, presumption, and superstition.

8. What is idolatry?

Idolatry is the substitution of a creature for God, or worshiping a creature (e.g. money, pleasure, or power) instead of the creator. [glossary, 2112-14].

9. What is atheism?

Atheism is the denial, in theory or in practice, that God exists. [glossary, 2123-6]

10. What is agnosticism?

Agnosticism denies the possibility of knowing anything about a God, if a God exists. [2127-8].

11. What is superstition?

Superstition is attributing a kind of magical power to certain practices or objects, like charms or omens.

[glossary, 2111].

12. What are examples of divination?

All forms of divination are to be rejected, such as astrology, fortune telling, horoscopes, palm reading, and sorcery. [2115-17].

13. What is heresy?

Heresy is the denial by a baptized person of a truth which Catholics are required to believe. [glossary, 2089, cf 465].

14. What is apostasy?

Apostasy is the repudiation of the Christian Faith. [glossary, 2089, cf. 817].

15. What is schism?

Schism is the refusal of submission to the Pope, or of communion with the Catholic Church. The Orthodox Churches have been in schism for many centuries. [glossary, 2089].

16. What is a sacrilege?

A sacrilege consists of profaning or treating unworthily any person, place or thing that is sacred, i.e. dedicated to God. [glossary, 2120].

17. What is presumption?

Presumption is expecting to save one's soul without divine help, or an overconfidence in divine mercy. It is a sin against the virtue of hope. [glossary, 2092].

18. What is despair?

Despair is the abandonment of all trust in personal salvation and the forgiveness of sins. It is a sin against the virtue of hope. [glossary, 2091].

19. How is prayer related to the first commandment?

Prayer is the lifting up of the mind to God to worship him for his own sake, for his glory. There are also prayers of petition for a desired good, in thanksgiving for a good received, and in intercession for others. Through prayer a Christian experiences a communion with God through Christ in the Church. [glossary, 2098, cf. 2559-65].

20. What is Adoration?

Adoration is the acknowledgment of God as God, Creator and Savior, the Lord and Master of everything that exists. [glossary, 2096-97, 2628].

21. How do we adore God?

Through worship and prayer, the Church and individuals persons give to God the adoration which is the first act of the virtue of religion. [glossary, 2096-97, 2628].

22. What is a vow?

A vow is a deliberate and free promise made to God to carry out particular good actions. Those who join religious orders generally vow the evangelical councils of poverty, chastity and obedience. [glossary, 2101-30, cf. 915-6].

23. What is veneration?

Veneration is the showing of devotion and respect to Mary, the apostles, martyrs, and canonized saints. It is often extended to relics or remains of saints, and to many sacred objects and images. Veneration must be carefully distinguished from adoration and worship which are due to God alone. [glossary, 1674, 2131-32].

Second Commandment

24. What is the second commandment?

The second commandment is thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. [2142].

25. What does the second commandment prescribe and forbid?

The second commandment prescribes respect for the Lord's name, and forbids the improper use or abuse of the names of God, Jesus Christ, and also of the Virgin Mary and the saints. [glossary, 1142, 1145].

26. What is blasphemy?

Blasphemy is speech, thought, or action involving contempt for God or the Church, or persons or things dedicated to God. [glossary, 2148].

27. Are oaths forbidden?

The second commandment forbids false oaths, and perjury. False oaths call on God to be a witness to a lie. [glossary, 2150-54].

Third Commandment

28. What is the text of the third commandment?

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days a week shall you labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord; in it you shall not do any work." [2168].

29. What is the short form of the third commandment?

"Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day." (Ex 20:10). [2168].

30. Why do Christians celebrate the Sabbath on the first day of the week, instead of on the seventh day?

The Sabbath, which represents the completion of the first creation, has been replaced by Sunday which recalls the new creation begun by the Resurrection of Christ. For Christians Sunday is the Lord's Day, with the celebration of the Eucharist as the heart of the Church's life. [glossary, 2174].

31. What is a parish?

A parish is a stable community of the faithful whose pastoral care is confided by the bishop to a priest as pastor. It is the place where the faithful gather together for the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist. [glossary, 2179].

32. What is the obligation to attend Mass?

The faithful are required to participate at Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation. [2180].

33. What is the obligation concerning doing work on Sundays and holy days of obligation?

On Sundays and holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to abstain from those labors and business concerns which hinder the worship to be rendered to God, the joy which is proper to the Lord's day, the performance of works of mercy, or the proper relaxation of mind and body. Family needs or social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest. Every Christian should avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them from observing the Lord's Day. [glossary, 1285-86].