Another name given to the Ten Commandments is the Decalogue which literally means, “ten words.” There were commandments that were written by Moses, but these Ten Commandments were written by God. Beginning with the Old Testament reference is made to these commands, but through the New Testament these commands come to be fulfilled through Jesus. These commands serve as a path of life where we are not enslaved, but liberated. Through these “ten words” we are freed from the slavery of sin.
Through these Commandments we are invited to enter into relationship with God. We call this relationship a covenant. It was on the mountain of Horeb that God gave Moses the Ten Commandments and entered into this covenant with us. Here God spoke, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” Through this covenant we have been freed from the slavery of sin just like the Israelites were freed from their slavery in Egypt.
Today’s response for our Responsorial Psalm proclaims, “Lord, I love your commands.” Through Psalm 119 we express how precious these commands are for they allow us to live. This can only be the case if we understand that these commands are life giving because through them we have come to be freed from the slavery of sin. This is precisely what took place for us at our baptism when we came to claimed for Christ.
So often people see these commands to restrict their freedoms. We live in a world that does not like to be told what to do. These commandments are not restrictions, but point the way towards freedom. They serve as a sign which leads the way to happiness. We can only be happy when we live out our authentic nature and enter into the love and freedom that has been pointed to through them. In this manner we too are able to proclaim, “Lord, I love your commands.”
We must remember that these commands orient us towards the treasure of Heaven. When we know this to be the treasure for which our heart longs we must desire to obtain it. As we are told of the rich young man in Saint Matthew’s Gospel:
“Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
Therefore, my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus let us desire to be freed. Through these commands we are reminded of our freedom and enter into freedom itself. Through these commands we come to live for eternal life. Eternal life is the treasure that we ought to do everything in order to obtain.
“Lord, I love your commands.”
No comments:
New comments are not allowed.