L3B – 7 March 2021

L3B – 7 March 2021

Law and worship

Message by: Fr Richard M Healey

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BibleProject - The Law

When you were a kid, who had a swear jar? Maybe I was not the only one to have my mouth washed out with soap and water – in Kindy! I guess it worked – at least I never had to go through all of that again. No, I can’t remember what I allegedly said. All a rather strange business!

I guess whoever came up with such a strange practice thought that they were simply being faithful to the law of God + keeping the 10 commandments. So maybe it’s appropriate today to delve a little deeper into the whole 10 commandment business. The first version of the so-called ten commandments is our first reading from Exodus 20. The 2nd is in Deuteronomy 6.

First some misconceptions. No where in the text are they called the 10 commandments. They are always called simply the 10 words. (Decalogue in Greek: Deca = ten; loge = words). The beginning of a series of laws that will by the end of the Torah (instructions) number 613.

The ten words

Preamble: I am the LORD your God who saved you from slavery.

  1. Worship only Yahweh.
  2. Represent him well. (Bear his name)
  3. Remember the sabbath day to hallow it.
  4. Honour your parents.
  5. You shall not murder.
  6. You shall not commit adultery.
  7. You shall not steal.
  8. You shall not bear false witness against your fellow.
  9. You shall not covet neighbour’s stuff.
  10. You shall not covet neighbour’s partner.

Suggested reading: Bearing God’s Name: Why Sinai Still Matters by Carmen Imes.

Play MP3

Sunday Lent 3, Year B. Exodus 20:1-17


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