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Commandments
BY: MARK ANTHONY ROSOLOWSKI

I am sure everyone remembers being told how Moses was given the Ten Commandments by God on Mount Sinai. But how many of us have ever really thought about them and how many of us apply them to our everyday lives. How often do we think before we act, how often we do things that we know are wrong but do it anyway?

How many of us can name all Ten Commandments and to make it harder, how many can name then in order? How many of us see the Ten Commandments as a list of do not's, instead of as a list of what to do to live a joyful life?

I am going to look at the Ten Commandments, in no particular order, but I am going to keep the one we probably all ignore for last. Do not look ahead because then you will destroy the rest of it.

The Tenth Commandment says: Thou shall not covet your neighbor’s goods, one of the problems with this Commandment is our own fault, and how often do we use the word covet, how many of us really know what the word covet means? Loosely translated covet means to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others: to covert another's property. To wish for what you do not have, to want what the neighbor has, to keep up with the Joneses, how else can it be put? How can you be happy wanting what others have, look at what God has given you, and see the good things in life, the riches that are not determined by money? Also remember, a person who has a lot may not be happy, for it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle then for a rich man to enter heaven.

Well that leaves me no where to go but the Ninth Commandment: Thou shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. Since we already know what covet means, the rest is easy. Why look at your neighbor’s wife and long for her, look at your own wife. Remember why you married her, was it because of her outward beauty or was it something deeper, was it love? Why would anyone want to give up the happiness that their spouse brings them for the wanting of another? Remember to treat your spouse as a loving, caring, and partner. Cleave unto your spouse. Remember your spouse is a part of you; do not wish for what you do not have, thank God for the love you share.

So might as well hit number eight, the Eighth Commandment say: Thou shall not bare false witness against your neighbor. Why does this one need an explanation, just so not lie, it is as simple as that. No rocket science is needed for that one, but wait, do we live by that simple commandment, do we spread rumors, maybe half truths, little white lies, bending or stretching the truth. Sorry none of that is acceptable, we are all guilty of that, including me, a simple direction of life and we all fail at it. Next time you hear a rumor let it stop with you, when you hear a half truth amend it to be the truth and there are no little white lies a lie is a lie.

So now lets tackle the Seventh Commandment, you shall not steal. Okay there is an easy one, do not take things that do not belong to you. Without justifying why you did it or why you have them, how many company pens do you have, yes I know they give them away to customers, but are you a customer? I know that sounds petty but petty thief is still stealing. In my job I saw a person fired for stealing a bagel and I saw one fired for taking a printer, both on their records for termination they both say theft of company property. Is eternal happiness worth even the smallest of articles?

Well I have gone this far backwards and in order so let’s see the Sixth Commandment, you shall not commit adultery. An adulterer is sometimes referred to as a person committing the act of infidelity; it is a form of as extramarital sex. It originally referred to sex between a woman who was married and a person other than her spouse. But if it is the husband or the wife that is committing adultery, why do it. Is it worth the happiness of your children, your spouse and yourself for a few minutes of what you think are love? The effects of adultery are far reaching and hurt many. Once again it is a think before you act scenario.

The Fifth Commandment, you shall not kill, this includes all human life, from the time of conception to the time of natural death. The Commandment does not leave any room for interpretation. It is simple and to the point. Do not kill.

The Fourth Commandment, You are to honor your mother and your father. This is also simple and to the point respects your parents, listen to your parent’s wisdom, and heed their advice. Do not condemn or curse your parents, hold them in esteem. But could this also have another meaning honor thy Father, God is our Father, and your Mother, Mary is our Mother, so if you honor God and our Holy Mother Mary, you will honor your own parents.

The Third Commandment, remember the Sabbath and keep it holy, that is the one that seems to give most of us problems. Not so much in that fact that we do not go to church, it is in the other things that we do. Look at those that come to worship God, they come into His House wearing, shorts, tee shirts, and sandals. Then even before the priest says the mass has ended they are out the door on the way to the beach, the mall, or to another event, not even giving a second thought to God. The Sabbath is a day of reflection, a day of prayer and of peace, not a day to run to the mall to get the latest sale.


The Second Commandment, You shall not take the Lord thy God name in vain. Isn't it funny the same tongue, teeth and mouth we use to praise God, we use to curse our fellow man without regard to what we are doing. After we curse, then we say, what did I say or I should not have said that. We all need to be more careful and thoughtful in the words we use and how we use them.

The First Commandment, I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other gods before me. Simple and to the point, we will worship only the one true God and no others.

The Ten Commandments are plain and simple and easy to follow, they are the rules we should all strive to live by for a happy and fruitful life now and for eternity.