They are not imposed on us by God to show His power. Rather they reveal to man how to live in relation to God, to his fellowmen and to himself in harmony and peace with the plan according to which he was made.

They form the path to a life and a society living in harmony and peace. It is useful to consider each command and see how neglect of it brings trouble and unhappiness into human life.

The following are the ten commands given to me by God Himself :

1.     You shall not have strange gods besides me.

2.     You shall not dishonour the name of the Lord.

3.     Remember that you keep holy the Sabbath day (i.e., the day set apart for the         special worship of God).

4.     You shall honour your father and your mother.

5.     You shall not kill.

6.     You shall not commit adultery.

7.     You shall not steal.

8.     You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.

9.     You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife.

10.   You shall not covet your neighbour’s goods.

The first three commands are the basis of everything because they show us that God, and not my selfish self, must be the centre of my life. Here, I find my rightful place before God, and if I do not find this, then my whole life is built on confusion and chaos.

The remaining commands point the way to a just and peaceful social life and offer great scope for examination and reflection. Modern Catholic catechisms give wonderful explanations of the meaning and implications of these commands. (Especially recommended is Encounter with Christ by G. Archambeau S. J., costing Rs.13/- plus postage, available from Examiner press Bookshop, Dalal Street , Bombay 400 023.

There is much to reflect on in all this for Jesus has said, “If you will enter into life, keep the commandments.” And Saint John says, “Loving God means keeping His commandments.”

THE GREAT COMMAND

Christ summed up the commands in what is called the great command – the command of love: