Council 112 This is the Faith October 2006

Tony Marino is an Air Force veteran who later received a degree in English Literature at Long Island University. For more than 30 years, he was an insurance agent for Aetna before eventually becoming a private insurance consultant. Since his retirement in 2003, he has devoted himself to the service of St. Peter's Parish in Concord and the Right to Life movement in New Hampshire. Tony has been married to his wife, Annette for more than 40 years. They have ten children and 22 grandchildren.

I. “YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND HIM ONLY SHALL YOU SERVE.”

The Catechism details the First Commandment in two sections: In our previous essay, we discussed the first admonition, “You Shall Worship The Lord Your God”, and in this essay we will complete the catechetical analysis by discussing the second admonition, “Him Only Shall You Serve”.

The previous essay discussed the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity, and we learn from the Catechism, that charity leads us “to render to God what we as creatures owe Him in all justice.” The Catechism then goes on to discuss the “virtue of religion” which disposes us to have the proper attitude toward what we owe God, with adoration being the first virtue. With adoration, we acknowledge God as “Creator and Savior, the Lord and Master of all that exists, infinite and merciful in love.” When we adore God we acknowledge “respect and absolute submission”, and the fact that without God we would not exist. Other virtues which enable us to have a proper disposition toward God include prayer and sacrifice: with prayer we lift our minds toward God, and we express our adoration. The Catechism tells us that prayer is “an indispensable condition for being able to obey God’s commandments.”

As prayer is an expression of the adoration of God, sacrifice is a sign of that adoration. Many Catholics, and some other Christians, believe they are offering sacrifice to God by refraining from, or by doing something they believe will be pleasing to God. But as the Catechism states, “Outward sacrifice, to be genuine, must be the expression of spiritual sacrifice:”, and we must all remember that, “The only perfect sacrifice is the one that Christ offered on the cross…” When we unite ourselves with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we make ourselves a sacrifice to God.

Christians are often called to make promises to God: Baptism, Confirmation, Matrimony, and Holy Orders always entail promises. In addition, as part of their personal devotion, Christians may also promise God a particular action, a prayer, or an obligation to alms-give to the poor. Fidelity to these promises, “is a sign of respect owed to the divine majesty”, and a sign “of love for a faithful God.” A vow differs from a promise in that, “a vow is an act of devotion in which the Christian dedicates himself to God, or promises him some good work.” The Church recognizes the exemplary value of vows, and rejoices in the “freedom of the children of God”, to renounce their own will, and “submit themselves to man for the sake of God.” The Church has the authority, in certain cases, to provide dispensation to promises and vows.

The Catechism tells us that, “All men are bound to seek the truth in what concerns God and his Church…”, and that this duty derives from, “the very dignity of the human person.” There is no contradiction between this duty and respect for different religions: Different religions, “reflect a ray of truth which enlightens all men”, and charity urges Christians “to treat with love, prudence, and patience” all those, “who are in error or ignorance with regard to the faith.” However, the sacred duty of Christians is “to make known the worship of the one true religion which subsists in the Catholic and apostolic Church”, but it must be clearly understood, that no one can be forced to act against their convictions, or from acting in accordance with their conscience. The right to religious liberty is a natural right of the human person, but that right can never be defined as “a moral license to adhere to error, nor a supposed right to error”. “Christians are called to be the light of the world”, and if we are to be faithful to this First Commandment, we can never hide that Christian light under a basket.

Please see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition, pages 508 through 512, paragraphs 2095 through 2109.

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RETURN TO CHURCH PROGRAMS AWARDS AND HONORS BIRTHDAYS COMMUNITY PROGRAMS COUNCIL NEWS FAMILY PROGRAMS FIRST DEGREE TEAM GOOD OF THE ORDER INSURANCE KNIGHT OF THE MONTH LADIES OF THE KNIGHTS LINKS OUR GRAND KNIGHT PHOTOS RESPECT LIFE VIDEO OF THE MONTH YOUTH PROGRAMS CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO VISIT OUR FATHER McGIVNEY SITE	Tony Marino is an Air Force veteran who later received a degree in English Literature at Long Island University. For more than 30 years, he was an insurance agent for Aetna before eventually becoming a private insurance consultant. Since his retirement in 2003, he has devoted himself to the service of St. Peter's Parish in Concord and the Right to Life movement in New Hampshire. Tony has been married to his wife, Annette for more than 40 years. They have ten children and 22 grandchildren. This is the Faith October 2006 REFLECTIONS FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH THE TEN COMMANDMENTS I. “YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND HIM ONLY SHALL YOU SERVE.” The Catechism details the First Commandment in two sections: In our previous essay, we discussed the first admonition, “You Shall Worship The Lord Your God”, and in this essay we will complete the catechetical analysis by discussing the second admonition, “Him Only Shall You Serve”. The previous essay discussed the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity, and we learn from the Catechism, that charity leads us “to render to God what we as creatures owe Him in all justice.” The Catechism then goes on to discuss the “virtue of religion” which disposes us to have the proper attitude toward what we owe God, with adoration being the first virtue. With adoration, we acknowledge God as “Creator and Savior, the Lord and Master of all that exists, infinite and merciful in love.” When we adore God we acknowledge “respect and absolute submission”, and the fact that without God we would not exist. Other virtues which enable us to have a proper disposition toward God include prayer and sacrifice: with prayer we lift our minds toward God, and we express our adoration. The Catechism tells us that prayer is “an indispensable condition for being able to obey God’s commandments.” As prayer is an expression of the adoration of God, sacrifice is a sign of that adoration. Many Catholics, and some other Christians, believe they are offering sacrifice to God by refraining from, or by doing something they believe will be pleasing to God. But as the Catechism states, “Outward sacrifice, to be genuine, must be the expression of spiritual sacrifice:”, and we must all remember that, “The only perfect sacrifice is the one that Christ offered on the cross…” When we unite ourselves with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we make ourselves a sacrifice to God. Christians are often called to make promises to God: Baptism, Confirmation, Matrimony, and Holy Orders always entail promises. In addition, as part of their personal devotion, Christians may also promise God a particular action, a prayer, or an obligation to alms-give to the poor. Fidelity to these promises, “is a sign of respect owed to the divine majesty”, and a sign “of love for a faithful God.” A vow differs from a promise in that, “a vow is an act of devotion in which the Christian dedicates himself to God, or promises him some good work.” The Church recognizes the exemplary value of vows, and rejoices in the “freedom of the children of God”, to renounce their own will, and “submit themselves to man for the sake of God.” The Church has the authority, in certain cases, to provide dispensation to promises and vows. The Catechism tells us that, “All men are bound to seek the truth in what concerns God and his Church…”, and that this duty derives from, “the very dignity of the human person.” There is no contradiction between this duty and respect for different religions: Different religions, “reflect a ray of truth which enlightens all men”, and charity urges Christians “to treat with love, prudence, and patience” all those, “who are in error or ignorance with regard to the faith.” However, the sacred duty of Christians is “to make known the worship of the one true religion which subsists in the Catholic and apostolic Church”, but it must be clearly understood, that no one can be forced to act against their convictions, or from acting in accordance with their conscience. The right to religious liberty is a natural right of the human person, but that right can never be defined as “a moral license to adhere to error, nor a supposed right to error”. “Christians are called to be the light of the world”, and if we are to be faithful to this First Commandment, we can never hide that Christian light under a basket. Please see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition, pages 508 through 512, paragraphs 2095 through 2109. Next article -->
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