On Monday night at RCIA and Adult Confirmation, I taught about the Ten Commandments. The night was the first session of two that will focus on the Moral Teachings of the Catholic Church. Next week, I have a speaker coming to teach on the Social Teachings of the Catholic Church. Next week will also be the last session in the Catechumenate, which is the period of intensive instruction for those preparing to receive the Sacraments.

Although I was not initially scheduled to teach on the Ten Commandments this year, my presenter was stuck in the snow on the East Coast, I love teaching about the Ten Commandments and explaining the importance that they still hold in the life of the Catholic Church and in the life of those of us who follow Jesus Christ.

Some will argue that the Ten Commandments are out of date, and since Jesus fulfilled the law (Mt. 5:17), the Commandments are no longer needed. I would beg to differ because the Ten Commandments are sacred, holy, good, and part of the Natural Law – the law that is written on our very hearts. Jesus talks about the importance of Ten Commandments numerous times in the New Testament Scriptures and even says that all should know them.

So with this being said, for today’s QLC, let’s read what the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches on the Ten Commandments –

“What good deed must I do, to have eternal life?” – “If you would enter into life, keep the commandments” (Mt 19:16-17). [#2075]

By his life and by his preaching Jesus attested to the permanent validity of the Decalogue. [#2076]

The gift of the Decalogue is bestowed from within the covenant concluded by God with his people. God’s commandments take on their true meaning in and through this covenant. [#2077]

In fidelity to Scripture and in conformity with Jesus’ example, the tradition of the Church has always acknowledged the primordial importance and significance of the Decalogue. [#2078]

The Decalogue forms an organic unity in which each “word” or “commandment” refers to all the others taken together. To transgress one commandment is to infringe the whole Law (cf. Jas 2:10-11). [#2079]

The Decalogue contains a privileged expression of the natural law. It is made known to us by divine revelation and by human reason. [#2080]

The Ten Commandments, in their fundamental content, state grave obligations. However, obedience to these precepts also implies obligations in matter which is, in itself, light. [#2081]

What God commands he makes possible by his grace. [#2082]

I would encourage you to also read paragraphs 2052-2074 for a complete understanding of this subject. In the future, I will do other QLC’s focusing on the individual Ten Commandments.

The Ten Commandments are taken very seriously by the Catholic Church, and without being trite; I think this is a very funny clip from History of the World, Part I. This is one of those funny videos that is good to share with family and friends on social media right after you share this blog post.