My dear Parishioners,
Peace! There are thirteen (13) “In Brief” articles in the Catechism of the Catholic Church addressing the Fifth Commandment of the Decalogue, ‘You shall not kill.’ The following is a reflection on CCC 2318.
The Creed makes it clear that God is the Lord and the giver of life. The Fourth Commandment “You shall not kill” (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17) is another way of saying this (cf. Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Romans 13:9; James 2:11). The Catechism cites another passage from the Old Testament to similar effect: God has in His power all the living and the breath of all the flesh of men (cf. Job 12:10). Psalm 95:4–6 reminds us how the whole earth, mountains and seas, ourselves included, all belong to the good God of Heaven. God’s Law forbids murder and the taking of human life wrongfully. The importance of life as part of God’s gift in creation is brought out in part by the frequency (566 times) with which the term “life” is used in Sacred Scripture. The origins of biological life come from God (cf. Genesis 1:20, 30; 2:7, 9). Long life is seen as a blessing (cf. Genesis 7:11; 25:7; 47:29; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:2; Psalm 21:4; 34:12; 61:6; 91:16). God wants us to favor and choose life over death (cf. Deuteronomy 30:15). The ancient languages Hebrew and Greek have eight different words for “life” hayyim, nephesh, ruh, hayah, zoe, psuche, bios, and pneuma respectively. In this way we see the complexity of life. Life refers not only to the vital principle within us but also to the manifestations of life, as well as the breath of life. Our life is a direct gift from God. We are absolutely dependent upon Him for it. Life further refers to the totality of our relationships and activities which make up our daily lives (cf. Deuteronomy 32:47; 1 Samuel 25:29; Job 10:1). Offenses against life are to be severely punished (cf. Genesis 9:4–5; Exodus 21:23; Leviticus 17:14; 24:17–18; Deuteronomy 19:21). Life is a precious gift from God (cf. 2 Kings 10:24; Ester 7:7; Job 2:4; Proverbs 4:23; 6:26). Obedience to both God and our parents has the promised blessed reward of a long life (cf. Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 4:4; 5:16; Proverbs 3:1–2; 9:11).
God is the Lord and the giver of life. None of us have a right over the life and death of anyone, ourselves included. We receive our lives as a gift from God. Our neighbors too have received this gift. The Fifth Commandment works in several different directions. We are not to kill the other person, we are not to let the other person kill us, we are not to kill ourselves. Safeguarding our own health and that of others through proper eating, sleeping, working and resting are among the ways we keep the Fifth Commandment. The shedding of blood destroys life (cf. Deuteronomy 12:23; Leviticus 17:11). The Cross is the true tree of life.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr