Following the Lord's Commandments

Catholic Exchange ^ | April 30, 2005 | Fr. Paul de Ladurantaye

[NYer]

Following the Lord's Commandments
04/30/05
			One of the most spiritually destructive ideas that has infected the world is the fallacy of claiming to love Jesus Christ while at the same time ignoring and even rejecting the commandments and the teachings of the Church.
This is like professing to love another person’s voice but to hate his words. It is a superficial outlook. The real test and testimony of our love for another lies in our acceptance of what the one we love holds dear. Authentic love means cherishing and honoring what the one we love cherishes and honors, so long as it contributes to our true good. "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments," Jesus tells us in this week’s Gospel passage. This is not an ultimatum but a simple statement of fact: Anyone who truly loves Jesus will obey the Eternal Law because of the way that the Law of God enables us to make the love of God real in our lives. The Lord’s commandments — in particular, the Ten Commandments — are a gift from God by which we can measure what we love most in life. For the sad reality is that human beings love sin. We hesitate to give up sin because we doubt we can find anything else that gratifies us as much as we think sin does. The commandments of the Lord make it clear how much, left to ourselves, we would fall in love with idolatry, impiety, disobedience, violence, sensuality, stealing, dishonesty and covetousness. Thus, we need the commandments in order to purify our love for Jesus. As our late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, once wrote, the Ten Commandments "save man from the destructive force of egoism, hatred and falsehood. They point out all the false gods that can draw him into slavery." The commandments provide us with a way to assess whether we are living for ourselves or living in and for Christ Jesus. Keeping the commandments frees us from the too-often empty and illusory promises of a secularized world that has lost sight of the vocation to which all human beings are called: life forever in the presence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In this light, we can begin to see that the commandments are not something imposed on us from the outside. Rather, the commandments illuminate the truth about ourselves: that we are invited, by God Himself, to a loving surrender to the Father through Christ Jesus in the Holy Spirit. That is why Jesus promises, in our Gospel passage, that "I will not leave you orphans." He promises to send "another Advocate, to be with you always." The Person of the Holy Spirit is with us always to empower us to love and to fulfill the personal law of God. The Holy Spirit comes and remains with us in order to engender within us a filial trust in the Lord and the certainty of being loved by Him. Then, filled with the light of truth, we can embrace and live the Gospel freedom that comes to us through the blessing of the Lord’s commandments: the freedom to love, the freedom to choose what is good in every situation, even when doing so is difficult. And what results from our observance of His commandments is the promise of Jesus, "Whoever has My commandments and observes them is the one who loves Me. And whoever loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him." Fr. De Ladurantaye is director of the Office of Sacred Liturgy, secretary for diocesan religious education, a professor of theology at Notre Dame Graduate School and in residence at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, Virginia.

[1john2 3and4]

Thanks again! Truly, I'm somewhat shaking, here, as I realize that both Catholics AND Protestants are sharpening their quills....

Let me just say that I believe God knows our hearts. He's not like the cop that writes you a ticket for speeding when you don't know the limit.
Similarly, I don't believe He judges (against "one") because one believes a lie. Rather, it would be more a matter of refusing to believe the truth where He'd be 'looking askance', as it were.....

Also, it's not like this whole subject hasn't been bandied about for centuries, AND by better minds than mine, certainly!

I would ask that you take the matter up with the previously posted Catholic apologist's points (if that's fair, or OK with you....), that is, his clear refutation of any biblical reason for the change of Sabbath. He does it better than I!

It is very clear that it is a tenent of Catholic belief based on Catholic tradition....NOT the Bible, as is being pointed out.

Catholics hold sacred the(ir) Bible AND tradition. Both are equal sources of "truth".

Me, I'm one of them "Bible-only" types!

The weight of Scripture is on the side of "Keeping the Commandments", to me.
Peace!

[Salvation]

Our prieist gave a homily on this last night!

May the Lord continue to bless him!

[aimhigh]

Remember Jesus said He did not destroy the law?

You are right, He didn't destroy the law. He fulfilled it and set us free from the law.

[1john2 3and4]

Take care on being "free from the law"....
When there's an apparent contradiction, there must be a reason, and it's for us to study diligently to understand, with the Holy Spirit's help.

Logically? See questions in previous post re: Is it OK to murder, steal, commit adultery, etc.? Why NOT, if we are indeed "free from the law"?

Rather, see (& seek?) further light about things like
the doers of the law shall be justified
if thou be a breaker of the law
judged by the law

I'm thinking there's more to it than feeling "free from the law", otherwise, why was "keeping the Commandments" so worth two mentions in Rev. 12 & 14?

Couldn't a case be made that the law & its requirements were even more important than the life of the Son of God?

After all, that's why He was the only One who could pay the debt -demanded by the law (owed) by our violation of it! Prayers.

[whipitgood]

Let me assume that you two are indeed 'born again, spirit-filled Christians' acting upon your spiritual conscience by setting forth the arguments for the observance of the 7th day sabbath. I follow all these FR postings as much as possible, and you two do as good a job as anyone I have seen of making your point, which I agree with. Now for the question: What do you DO about it? Do you attend a church which meets on the 7th day, avoid church, or do you attend a 'Sunday church' and ignore the teachings about the sabbath? Or something else which I haven't thought of?

[whipitgood]

While I agree with your point of view, I think that we should not divide the Body of Christ between those who keep the 7th day sabbath, and those who don't. If I had my way, the Christian Church would awaken to the truth of the 4th commandment and begin to keep the 7th day holy. The day of worship and observance would become Saturday. We would not do business, exchange money (even in church) or do other work, or have others work for us on the sabbath. I and my family have done this for many years, and we are blessed because of it. It is NOT convenient. We have tried some sabbath churches and found them to be unacceptable. We have tried just not attending church, that is not acceptable either. It would be a very good day if we could join a group of christian brothers and sisters on the sabbath for a peeriod of praise and worship, reading of scripture, and prayer. But where to find it??? So we usually just attend a Sunday church and ignore the teaching on the sabbath.

[aimhigh]

I'm thinking there's more to it than feeling "free from the law", otherwise, why was "keeping the Commandments" so worth two mentions in Rev. 12 & 14?

When a person moves from England to America, they are no longer under English law. Does that mean they can murder and steal? No. We moved from the old covenant to the new covenant. The new coventant has laws and commands. Unfortunately, they are not studied or taught.

The Ten Commandments are frequently referred to as the "Tablets of the Covenant." When the new covenant was given, the old became obsolete (Hebrews 8:13). This is why Jesus gave us new commandments.

[Uri’el-2012]

When the new covenant was given, the old became obsolete (Hebrews 8:13). This is why Jesus gave us new commandments.

But the New Covenant was given in Jeremiah 31:31

B'Shem Y'shua
chuck

[Quix]

THX for good, well made points.

[JohnnyM]

what do you consider his commandmants. Do you follow all the Law as given in the OT. If not why? Also, do you observe all the things required on the Sabbath? Also, why do you limit the commandmants to just the 10 commandmants.

To answer your previous question, I observe the Sabbath by resting in Christ. He is the substance, the Sabbath is but the shadow.

I've enjoyed your input.

God Bless,
JM

[aimhigh]

But the New Covenant was given in Jeremiah 31:31

Jeremiah 31:31 says, "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD,..". This is a prophecy, not a current announcement.

[1john2 3and4]

There are three meanings, three classifications of law, when it is being referred to in scripture.
Ceremonial = services most related to temple, feasts, sacrifices, etc.
Civic = arrangement of tribes, judicial rules, etc.
THE Law = 10 Commandments

A subset of Civic & Ceremonial laws would include the health laws; clean vs. unclean meats, hygiene. The grouping may be a bit off, as the Civic & Ceremonial may be a subset of health.
The point is to differentiate exactly what is being referred to. There is a difference between THE law, and all the others, as the temple curtain was torn from the top down (!) at the moment of Jesus' death, signifying the end of "type", Jesus being the perfect sacrifice, the "anti-type".

Daniel's prophecy in 9:27 is wonderful to confirm this; ....he (Messiah) shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease

Appreciate the point about not dividing over this issue. I think that the 4th Commandment has unique qualities, as for one, it identifies God, not only as Creator,, but personal as well; the Lord thy God. It also is the one Commandment which categorically states that He is the One with the authoriy to make any law, especially Commands in the first place!

It should be no wonder that this Commandment , in particular, is the one that Satan wishes to overthrow most, since further, it is the one & only which is the sign, the peculiar sign, that He is our God, and we are His people!

Satan's an expert at making counterfeits.

A study of the unique 'coupling' of the words "sign" & "Sabbath" will perhaps cause a few "aha!" moments. Did for me!

Is not the mark described in Rev. 13:16, 14:9, & 19:20, also a sign?Are we not told of signs and wonders? (btw, to deceive)

It is not my will or intent to "divide". To me, the Sabbath Commandment is similar to the "test" given to our parents, Adam & Eve. Sort of a "good for you if you follow my rules, the ones you agree with, anyway. So here's one that will not make sense"; why that tree? why that particular day? - "so I can see if you really love me!" Jesus said the same thing, essentially. 'Good for you, if you love your friends. I'm telling you to love your enemies!'

It is tough to 'obey'. In fact, I don't, and cannot obey. It really is the Holy Spirit within me causing me to 'act right'. The Lord truly is "my" righteousness.
God bless!

[JohnnyM]

Do you have Scripture to support THE Law as being the Ten Commandmants?

Also, do you observe the Sabbath correctly?

JM

[1john2 3and4]

correctly?

My dearly departed father, being a lawyer, definitely gave me my education on "loaded" questions. :)

I make it a point to take at least 20 steps each and every Sabbath, to rebel against "whited sepulchres"....

In the main, obedience....being 'correct' is a matter of the heart, is it not? Therefore, what one may or may not do on the Sabbath, is not something I delve into.

I do no work on the Sabbath, though I have been known to get a cow or two out of a ditch. :)

I'll get to your other question later, (speaking of work....)
God bless you!

[JesseHousman]

Behold the Lord, Jesus Christ, who tries so hard to get our attention

[JohnnyM]

Let me rephrase. What do you think it means, to revere the Sabbath and keep it Holy? How does the Bible define this?

JM

[Uri’el-2012]

XS>But the New Covenant was given in Jeremiah 31:31

 

Jeremiah 31:31 says, "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD,..". This is a prophecy, not a current announcement.

31 posted on 05/02/2005 8:08:29 AM MDT by aimhigh

 

The New Covenant is to be made with the same people as the Old Covenant
and is still yet future : The seventh Millennium.

 

 31 See, a time is coming -- declares the LORD -- when I will make a new covenant with the House of Israel and the House of Judah.

 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers, when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, a covenant which they broke, though I espoused them -- declares the LORD.

 33 But such is the covenant I will make with the House of Israel after these days -- declares the LORD: I will put My Teaching into their inmost being and inscribe it upon their hearts. Then I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

 34 No longer will they need to teach one another and say to one another, "Heed the LORD"; for all of them, from the least of them to the greatest, shall heed Me -- declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquities, And remember their sins no more.

 35 Thus said the LORD, Who established the sun for light by day, The laws of moon and stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea into roaring waves, Whose name is LORD of Hosts:

 36 If these laws should ever be annulled by Me -- declares the LORD -- Only then would the offspring of Israel cease To be a nation before Me for all time.

 37 Thus said the LORD: If the heavens above could be measured, and the foundations of the earth below could be fathomed, only then would I reject all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done -- declares the LORD.

 38 See, a time is coming -- declares the LORD -- when the city shall be rebuilt for the LORD from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate;

 39 and the measuring line shall go straight out to the Gareb Hill, and then turn toward Goah.

 40 And the entire Valley of the Corpses and Ashes, and all the fields as far as the Wadi Kidron, and the corner of the Horse Gate on the east, shall be holy to the LORD. They shall never again be uprooted or overthrown.

 

B’Shem Y’shua

chuck

 

[aimhigh]

The New Covenant is to be made with the same people as the Old Covenant and is still yet future

Jesus spoke of the new covenant in His blood. He gave us a new covenant, now. That is the context of Hebrews 8, in which the new covenant is based on the blood of Christ.

[1john2 3and4]

The Commandment itself, what it goes on to say, serves as a good starting point.
Having the example of Jesus, and the Apostles after His ascension is another guide.

Just how one keeps holy the Sabbath, would be a matter of the heart; according to one's received 'light' on 'correct' observance. The 'coupling' of 'law' & 'heart(s)' is also a good study.

Isaiah 58, especially verses 13 & 14 are some favorites.