The Baltimore Catechism

Revised Edition (1941)

Part Two: The Commandments

The Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Commandments of God

Lesson 19 from the Baltimore Cathechism

241. What is the fourth commandment of God?

The fourth commandment of God is: Honor thy father and thy mother.

Honor thy father and thy mother, that thou mayest be long-lived upon the land which the Lord thy God will give thee. (Exodus 20:12)

242. What are we commanded by the fourth commandment?

By the fourth commandment we are commanded to respect and love our parents, to obey them in all that is not sinful, and to help them when they are in need.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for that is right. (Ephesians 6:1)

243. Does the fourth commandment oblige us to respect and to obey others besides our parents?

Besides our parents, the fourth commandment obliges us to respect and obey all our lawful superiors.

Let everyone be subject to the higher authorities, for there exists no authority except from God, and those who exist have been appointed by God. Therefore he who resists authority resists the ordinance of God; and they that resist bring on themselves condemnation. (Romans 13:1-2)

244. What duty have parents toward their children and superiors toward those under their care?

Parents must provide for the spiritual and bodily welfare of their children; superiors, according to their varying degrees of responsibility, must care for those entrusted to them.

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but rear them in the discipline and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)

245. What are the duties of a citizen toward his country?

A citizen must love his country, be sincerely interested in its welfare, and respect and obey its lawful authority.

246. How does a citizen show a sincere interest in his country's welfare?

A citizen shows a sincere interest in his country's welfare by voting honestly and without selfish motives, by paying just taxes, and by defending his country's rights when necessary.

247. Why must we respect and obey the lawful authority of our country?

We must respect and obey the lawful authority of our country because it comes from God, the Source of all authority.

248. Why are we obliged to take an active part in works of good citizenship?

We are obliged to take an active part in works of good citizenship because right reason requires citizens to work together for the public welfare of the country.

249. What are the chief duties of those who hold public office?

The chief duties of those who hold public office are to be just to all in exercising their authority and to promote the general welfare.

Give ear, you that rule the people, and that please yourselves in multitudes of nations; for power is given you by the Lord, and strength by the most High, who will examine your works, and search out your thoughts. (Wisdom 6:3-4)

250. What does the fourth commandment forbid?

The fourth commandment forbids disrespect, unkindness, and disobedience to our parents and lawful superiors.

Cursed be he that honoreth not his father and mother. (Deuteronomy 27:16)

251. What is the fifth commandment of God?

The fifth commandment of God is: Thou shalt not kill.

Thou shalt not kill. (Exodus 20:13)

252. What are we commanded by the fifth commandment?

By the fifth commandment we are commanded to take proper care of our own spiritual and bodily well-being and that of our neighbor.

253. What does the fifth commandment forbid?

The fifth commandment forbids murder and suicide, and also fighting, anger, hatred, revenge, drunkenness, reckless driving, and bad example.

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer. And you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (I John 3:15)

254. What is the sixth commandment of God?

The sixth commandment of God is: Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14)

255. What are we commanded by the sixth commandment?

By the sixth commandment we are commanded to be pure and modest in our behavior.

I exhort you therefore, brethren, by the mercy of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice, living, holy, pleasing to God. (Romans 12:1)

256. What does the sixth commandment forbid?

The sixth commandment forbids all impurity and immodesty in words, looks, and actions, whether alone or with others.

But immorality and every uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becomes saints. (Ephesians 5:3)

257. What are the chief dangers to the virtue of chastity?

The chief dangers to the virtue of chastity are: idleness, sinful curiosity, bad companions, drinking, immodest dress, and indecent books, plays, and motion pictures.

258. What are the chief means of preserving the virtue of chastity?

The chief means of preserving the virtue of chastity are to avoid carefully all unnecessary dangers, to seek God's help through prayer, frequent confession, Holy Communion, and assistance at Holy Mass, and to have a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin.

Be sober, be watchful! For your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, goes about seeking someone to devour. (I Peter 5:8)

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