Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 8th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! There are nine (9) “In Brief” articles in the Catechism of the Catholic Church addressing the First Commandment of the Decalogue, ‘You shall not have other gods.’ The following is a reflection on CCC 2135.
Consider the following five ways we keep the First Commandment of God:
Adoration of the One True God is part of keeping the First Commandment. Jesus Christ, true God and true man instructs us to adore God (cf. Matthew 4:10). The Latin etymology of adorare includes to speak, to beseech, to entreat, to do homage. Adoration is both interior and external. We adore God by our deeds but also the movements of our heart and soul and mind (cf. Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27 1 Thessalonians 5:23). Prostration, falling upon the knees, inclining the body are all ways of incarnating our adoration of the One True God (cf. Genesis 17:3; Numbers 16:45; 1 Kings 8:54; Ezra 9:5; Psalm 95:6; Isaiah 45:23; Matthew 26:39; Luke 22:41; Acts 7:60; Ephesians 3:14; Revelation 1:17). There are even hymns of adoration found in Scripture (cf. Revelation 4:8–11).
Prayer to Almighty God is part of keeping the First Commandment. Note the difference between “prayer” and “prayers.” The Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be are all prayers. When we lift our hearts and minds to God using the words and ideas expressed in these prayers then we are praying. There are four major ‘families’ of prayer to God, namely adoration because God is worthy of worship, contrition because we should be sorry for our sins, thanksgiving because we have so much to be grateful for (Creation, Redemption, Providence…), supplication because we remind ourselves of our dependance upon God as we ask blessings for ourselves and our neighbors.
God has a right to our worship and we have a responsibility to offer such to Him as we keep the First Commandment. The Latin word cultus is translated as “worship” and when directed to the One True God is praiseworthy. If worship is given to any but the True God, the cult is deviant and false. God calls us to be a people of worship and we should worship God as He asks, in spirit and in truth (cf. John 4:23–24; Luke 22:19).
In keeping our promises to God we keep the First Commandment. Baptismal promises include the renunciation of sin, Satan and the glamour of evil as well as our profession of faith in the Triune God. Ordination promises of priests normally include: to pray with and for the people, to proclaim and explain the Catholic Faith, respect and obedience to the bishop (and his successors), and celibacy.
In keeping the vows of religion we keep the First Commandment. When husbands and wives make their vows of Holy Marriage it is an act of religion and part of keeping the First Commandment. The same is true for Monks, Nuns, Brothers and Sisters who profess poverty, chastity, and obedience.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr