DRE, Ibadan Archdiocese

Faith Series, Episode 138

THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD

WHAT ARE THE TEN COMMANDMENTS?

[CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH PART THREE, LIFE IN CHRIST] – PART III

 

The first commandment condemns the worship of false gods and sins like superstition, idolatry, divination, magic, irreligion, atheism, agnosticism.

Superstition attributes special or magical powers to certain objects, acts, words or external religious practices apart from proper interior dispositions to faith and humility. For example, it is superstitious to believe that a religious medal hanging from a car’s rearview mirror alone has the power to prevent car accidents. What is also necessary are defensive driving techniques, a fine-tuned auto, a sober driver and faith in God’s divine providence and love. The medal can serve as a reminder to turn our lives over to God and to exercise the virtues of prudence and self-control when we begin a trip. To attribute divine powers to a medal is to engage in superstition.

Idolatry refers to the false worship of many gods (Polytheism). An example of idolatry in the Hebrew Scriptures is the worship pagans gave to gold and silver statues depicting their various gods. Today, people still make gods out of created beings, honouring and revering something in place of God. Satanic cults are idolatrous, but so is undue focus on gods like money, power, prestige and sex. Jesus taught that we cannot serve both God and mammon. We will hate the one and love the other (Luke 16:13). Humans find meaning and fulfilment in worshipping God alone. Idolatry turns our hearts away from our true God by taking a created good and making it a god.

Divination attempts to learn what is hidden (occult) or in the future by invoking Satan or the demons, conjuring up the dead, reading horoscopes or consulting the stars (astrology), consulting mediums, reading palms, dallying with Ouija boards and similar practices. These activities do not respect a loving God who asks us to trust in His provident, parental care over our lives and our futures.

Magic or Sorcery tries to control hidden powers either to one’s own benefit or to another’s harm. The Church condemns these practices as contrary to the humble submission to God required of true religion.

Irreligion involves tempting God by challenging God in word or deed to manifest His goodness and divine wisdom. It does not respect God and displays a severe lack of trust in God’s loving providential care for us. Irreligion also reveals itself in sacrilege; that is profaning the sacraments and other liturgical actions and treating disrespectfully things, places, or persons specially consecrated to God. Sacrilege is mortally sinful, especially when committed against Christ in the Eucharist.

Finally, irreligion includes simony, the buying or selling of spiritual things. God’s graces are free gifts that we can never purchase or sell. Persons with a true religious sense can only receive them with gratitude.