The 10 Commandments: Spiritual Resolutions for the New Year

January 6, 2011

Jonah Dycus

HOUSTON — The laws of God were declared when Moses received the Ten Commandments atop Mount Sinai. But as the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, the Ten Commandments not only represent God's revelation to the world, but also teach us the true nature of humanity: "They bring to light the essential duties, and therefore, indirectly, the fundamental rights inherent in the nature of the human person."

When devising a list for New Year resolutions, the Commandments can intrinsically serve as our moral compass in navigating the everyday challenges life drops in our paths. Courtesy of contributors from around the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, the following is a look at each of the Ten Commandments and how they can serve as landmarks for our journey throughout 2011.

I: I am the Lord your God; You shall have no other gods before me

"As we begin a new year with resolutions dancing in our mind like leftover sugar plums, the first thing we think of is ourselves — a diet, a gym membership, a self-help program, etcetera," said Father Norbert Maduzia Jr., pastor at St. Ignatius Church in Spring. "But the First Commandment reminds us that the resolution we need to be making first and foremost is reestablishing our relationship with God. Thus, we need to remember ourselves in community and in relationship with the Lord our God." 

Though multitasking and all "iThings" have become a way of life, God requires our full commitment, Father Maduzia said. "Technology allows us to be cyberpresent to multiple people at the same time, but God wants all of our attention," the pastor said. "He alone is God,yet, how much more important is our relationship to our Facebook account or our smartphone or our score on the latest Xbox game? It is said that we can always find time to spend on that which is important to us. Yet, how many times do we not have time for Mass? For prayer? For God?" 

"At the beginning of the year we need to take a clue from the season of winter … we need to be still, silent and diet from technology and noise. We need to be present to the Lord, our God. Leave aside the idol to which we have been tethered and for a time each day let the God who loves you be the only importance in your life."

II: Do not take the name of the Lord in vain

The Second Commandment is often a point of emphasis to parents of young children — and occasionally, when so-inclined, to parents themselves.

Charleen Katra, an associate director for the Office of Continuing Christian Education, challenges parents this new year to be aware of the words they speak, and what children view — and in the case of this commandment hear — on television and at the movies.

"Parents may teach their children that the Second Commandment speaks to the importance of one's name," Katra said. "Just as God calls each person by name, families thoughtfully select names for their children. Speaking one's name respectfully is a sign of love and knowledge of their being created in God's image. Reverence for God's name indicates love and honor for God, as well as for one's relationship with their Creator."

In 2011, Katra urges parents to strengthen the entire family's Catholic identity by using language that "nourishes their own life in Christ" and models Christian values and attitudes to others in the home.

III: Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy

Keeping the Sabbath holy is both a duty and an opportunity, according to Father Brendan Cahill, Director for Clergy Formation and Chaplaincy Services in the Archdiocese.

"If we believe God is God, the Creator of all and the source of everything for us, it makes sense that we have a duty to offer God worthy praise," he said. "And this praise is not just offered on our terms, what we want to do — ‘I can just pray to God in my own way' — it is offered in accord with what God has called for through Scripture and the Church. So for this I am obliged to participate in the Eucharist every Sunday and set aside Sunday as special for the Lord."

Father Cahill said that duty is also an opportunity for spiritual growth and development.

"I know that I need the prayerful support of others and most especially the help of God offered through the Sacraments," he said. "The regular active participation in the Eucharist can open me up more and more to the healing mercy and grace of God. The commandment to keep holy the Sabbath is the duty and opportunity that keeps us centered on God and God's will for us."

IV: Honor your father and mother

Teresita Johnson, an associate director with Family Life Ministry, develops parish-based programming for marriages and families.

"As parents, some of us hang the Fourth Commandment shingle prominently at home to perhaps prod our children to honor and obey us, and that is certainly not an unfair thing to want from our offspring," Johnson said. "We should remember, however, that we are offspring and the commandment to honor father and mother applies to us perhaps more so than it does to our children. It is a sad reality that as our parents age and have more needs, our own growing families and responsibilities make it difficult for us to help and spend time with them."

"This year resolve to be obedient to this commandment by giving parents the gift of you. There is nothing a parent longs for more than to see the faces or hear the voices of their wayward children and feel cared for and loved by them."

V: You shall not kill

More than an injunction against murder, the Fifth Commandment reminds us of the beauty and dignity of each human life and the value of creation, according to Sister Mary Guido, r.c.

The Cenacle Retreat House ministry coordinator shared some ways to keep this commandment present in our everyday life:

"The New Year is a good time to practice the many ways that we can share Christ's life with those around us in our everyday experiences," Sister Guido said.

VI: You shall not commit adultery

Teresita Johnson believes the requirements of married love are simple.

"Marriage is about two people freely giving themselves to the other for life — totally, faithfully and fruitfully," she said. "This mirrors the way God loves us and it is what the Sixth Commandment calls married people to.

This commandment clearly presents sexual infidelity as a grave sin against God and spouse. Being faithful in marriage is about sexual exclusivity but it is more than that: It is about not letting anyone or anything come between the relationship of a husband and wife."

"This year husbands and wives can resolve to be faithful to each other by making their marriage a priority: less extra projects and overtime at work and more ‘couple time' spent on dates and couple retreats. Less hobbies that separate and more that unite; and last but not least, less bickering about the kids and more unity in parenting."