As our lives change, the Ten Commandments have different things to teach us

They help us examine our consciences in a complete way

Our conscience is like a navigation chart. Needs to be developed

Ten Commandments

1. I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other Gods before me (ex: money, power)

Ten Commandments

If you use God’s name in anger/hate, you’re associating God with those negative emotions. That is disrespectful; God is loving and merciful, and shouldn’t be associated with anger/hate.

Also, don’t say “honest to God” if it’s not true

2. Do not swear the Lord’s name in vain

This is a day to spend time with God (during mass) and with your family.

3. Keep the Sabbath Day holy

Even if you disagree with your parents, you don’t disrespect them. They’re acting in your best interests, whether you like it or not!

Also includes other authority figures (teachers, police, etc)

4. Honour your father and mother

Refers not just to murder, but any kind of violence. Refers to physical violence, emotional violence or killing “in spirit” (bullying), even cyber-abuse.

5. You shall not kill

Can’t cheat on your spouse/significant other. This is disrespectful, breaks trust, and is contrary to love.

Forbids anything that disrespects your body, which includes dressing inappropriately or provocatively.

6. You shall not commit adultery

Most people immediately think of the obvious “robbery” kind of stealing, but it can also include stealing information, identity theft, cheating on tests, and plagiarizing other people’s work.

7. You shall not steal

Includes “regular” lying, but other forms could be …◦ Committing fraud◦ Starting rumors or gossip

8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour

Covet means “lust”, “desire”, “envy”

Basically says “don’t be jealous”. There’s nothing wrong with having nice things, but don’t be jealous of others. Jealousy can lead to other more serious actions.

9 &10. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife / goods

Complete the Ten Commandments assignment on your own.

It is FOR HOMEWORK, due WEDNESDAY if not completed in class.

Do NOT hand it in today, even if you are done. Keep it until Wednesday.

Ten Commandments activity

Sin: A decision we make that goes against the truth that is God. It is NOT doing (on purpose) what we know Jesus would ask us to do

Weakens our love for …◦ God◦ Each other

Reconciliation (confession): To be forgiven of sins, we go to a priest to confess our sins (secret and private). Examine our conscience.

Sin

When we sin, we distance ourselves from …◦ Ourselves (diminishing effect on our inner selves)◦ God (we think He is angry with us, so we distance

ourselves from Him)◦ The community (we break relationships with

others. Sin causes problems in the community and divides us from family and friends)

When we sin …

For something to be a serious sin, need the following conditions◦ The action must be sinful◦ We know the action is wrong◦ We decide freely to do it anyway

Serious sins are more commonly called “mortal sins”

They totally separate us from God since we reject God on purpose

Less serious sins are called “venial sins”. They weaken our relationship with God, but don’t destroy it

Serious Sin

Social sin: Structures and accepted practices in society that make it hard for people to avoid sin

When we support or put up with policies that cause social sin, we are sinning Examples War Media (cyberbullying) Accepted gender stereotype of men and women

◦ Men: abs, jacked, tan, long hair (don’t care), trucks, rich, sports◦ Women: physically attractive (“hot” – Sadie W), skinny legs, accentuate certain

features Plagiarism Hand gestures/swearing at those who annoy you Lying (especially to get ahead yourself) Bullying Discrimination Gossip Social media where you’re looking for attention Alcohol or drug abuse Abortion Euthanasia

Social Sin

We confess our sins to a priest and they offer God’s forgiveness to those who have sinned and repented

Reconciliation means “flow together again” Mends the relationship with God after a sin

has been committed. One of the sacraments of the church.

Reconciliation

Repentance: Being truly sorry for our sins by admitting you are wrong, and trying to fix the damage.

We decide not to commit the sin again and we ask for forgiveness.

We are not just “automatically forgiven”. We need to strive to be better people, and to avoid sin in the future.

Repentance

God reaches out to heal us We have a guilty conscience We confess our sins to a priest Our sins are forgiven through sacramental

absolution We are reconciled with the community

Absolution: The priest forgives the person of their sin on behalf of God.

Process of reconciliation