God produced miracles of ten plagues in Egypt due to - The king said, “I will let you go to sacrifice to the

the stubbornness of the Pharaoh. The plagues came one Lord, your God in the desert if you do not go very
after another which caused harm and even death. Pharaoh far. Pray for me…’
was not easily convinced until the tenth plague. Even - Moses left the King and prayed to the Lord. The
before the ten plagues, Moses and his brother Aaron, flies left the king, his officials and his people; not
performed a miracle in front of the Pharaoh but he was not one fly remained. But even this time, the king
impressed since his magicians could produce the same became stubborn, and again he would not let the
trick. With that, the plagues had to start.  people go.
 DEATH OF THE ANIMALS/PESTILENCE
- God of the Hebrews says, “let my people go, so
Aaron’s walking stick (Exodus 7:8-13) that they may worship me. If you again refuse to
let them go, I will punish you by sending a
“If the king demands that you prove yourselves by terrible disease on all your animals.’
performing a miracle, tell Aaron to take his walking stick - The next day, the Lord did as what he said, and
and throw it down in front of the king, and it will turn into all the animals of the Egyptians died, but not of
a snake.” So, Moses and Aaron went to the king and did as the animals of the Israelites died.
the Lord had commanded. Aaron threw his walking stick  HAIL
down in front of the king and his officers, and it turned - The Lord, the God of Hebrews says, “Let my
into a snake. Then the king called for his wise men and people go, so that they will worship me. This
magicians, and by their magic they did the same thing. But time, I will punish not only your people, but I
Aaron’s stick swallowed theirs. The king however, will punish you as well, so that you may know
remained stubborn & just as the Lord had said, the king that there is no one like me in all the world…
would not listen to Moses and Aaron. tomorrow I will cause a heavy hailstorm, such
as Egypt has never known in all its history.
- Hail will fall on the people and animals left
10 PLAGUES outside unprotected, and they will all die.
- The king sent for Moses and Aaron and said,
 BLOOD “This time I have sinned; the Lord is in the right,
- Then say to the king, “The Lord, God of the and my people and I are in the wrong. Pray to the
Hebrews, sent me to tell you to let his people go, Lord! We have had enough of this thunder and
so that they can worship him in the desert.” hail! I promised to let you go; you don’t have to
- River water turned into blood and the fishes died stay here any longer.’
and the river will stink so much that the Egyptians - When the king saw what had happened, he sinned
will not be able to drink from it. again. He and his officials remained as stubborn
 FROG as ever and just as the Lord had foretold through
- “Go to the King and tell him that the Lord says, Moses, the king would not let the Israelites go.
‘Let my people go, so that they can worship me. If  BOILS
you refuse, I will punish your country by - They got some ashes and stood before the King;
covering it with frogs… They will jump on you, Moses threw them into the air, and they produced
your people and all your officials.’ boils that became open sores on the people and the
- Aaron held it out over all the water, and the frogs animals.
came out and covered the land. - The magicians were not able to appear before
- The magicians used magic, they also made frogs Moses, because they were covered with boils, like
come up to the land. all the other Egyptians.
- Moses and Aaron left the king, and Moses prayed  LOCUSTS
to the Lord to take away the frogs which he had - Then the Lord said to Moses, “Raise your hand
brought on the King. over the land of Egypt to bring the locusts.
 GNATS They will come and eat everything that grows,
- Aaron struck the ground with his stick and all the everything that has survived the hail.”
dust in Egypt was turned into gnats, which - By morning it had brought the locusts. They came
covered the people and animals. in swarms and settled over the whole country. It
- The magicians tried to use their magics and said to was the largest swarm of locusts that had ever
the king, “God has done this!” But the king been seen or that ever would be seen again.
would not listen to Moses and Aaron. - Then the king hurriedly called Moses and Aaron
 FLIES and said, “I have sinned against the Lord your
- “Tell him that the Lord says, “Let my people go, God and against you... pray to the Lord your God
so that they can worship me. I warn you that if to take away this fatal punishment from me.
you refuse, I will punish you my sending flies - Moses left the king and prayed to the Lord. And
on you, your officials, and your people…” the Lord changed the east wind into a very strong
- The Lord sent great swarms of flies into the king’s west wind, which picked up the locusts and blew
palace and the houses of his officials. The whole them into the Gulf of Suez. Not one locust was
land of Egypt was brought to ruin by the flies. left in all of Egypt. But the Lord made the king
stubborn, and he did not let the Israelites go.
 DARKNESS - The exodus of the Israelites will be culminated by
- Moses raised his hand toward the sky, and there their crossing of the red/reed sea since the
was total darkness throughout Egypt for three Pharaoh changed his mind and pursued them with
days. The Egyptians could not see each other, and his soldiers who were all drawn when they also
no one left his house during that time. But the tried to cross the red sea. This is where the
Israelites had light where they were living. Israelites saw and experienced that it was
- The king called Moses and said, "You may go and really God/YHWH who freed them from Egypt
worship the Lord; even your women and children and protected them along the way from the
may go with you. ..... The Lord ade the king Egyptian soldiers who were pursuing them.
stubborn, and he would not let them go.
-
*PASS OVER MEAL- instead of doing a lamb
THE PASSOVER as the most important feast of
offering which they burn on top of an altar as a the Israelites
sacrifice also called “burnt offering”, they will take - Passover and Exodus are two events which are
the blood of the lamb and put it at their doorposts closely related with each other.
and lintel of their houses and they will eat the - The Passover meal was a reminder to the Israelites
roasted lamb with unleavened bread and bitter of the day God freed them from slavery. The
herbs. They will eat it in a hurried manner as if they Israelites celebrates the feast of the Passover
are ready for a journey. After eating the Pass over every year since it is their Independence Day.
meal,, they will enter their house since during the - Exodus means departure. When the settled in the
night, God will strike the Egyptians with the 10th promised land, they will celebrate this in the
plague. The blood will serve as a sign that will save temple in Jerusalem with the rituals of
them from the last plague. Slaughtering a paschal (Passover) lambs; the
consumption of its meat in a domestic meal. This
feast is called “Pesah” in Hebrew.

SACRIFICE/ BRUNT OFFERING

FIRST THREE COMMANDMENTS
After the pass over meal and the Israelites CALL US TO RIGHT RELATIONSHIP
entered their houses and locked their doors,
WITH GOD
then the 10th plague came.
- The first three of the Ten Commandments point to
the primacy of God in our lives, summed up by
 DEATH OF THE NEW FIRST BORN Jesus as He quotes the central teaching of the
- At midnight, the Lord killed all the firstborn sons Hebrew Scriptures, “You shall love the Lord your
and all the first born of their animals. There was a God with all your heart and with all your soul and
loud crying throughout Egypt, because there was with all your mind.”
not one at home in which there was not a dead
son. - Since God the Father created and sustains us,
- After that plague, the king made the Israelites Jesus saves and forgives us, and the Holy Spirit is
leave and said, “Get out, you and your Israelites! dwelling within us, our love relationship with the
Leave my country, go and worship the Lord, as Lord is our origin, our purpose and our destiny.
you asked. Take your sheep, goats, cattle and God has an absolute claim on us as His adopted
leave. Also pray for a blessing. The Egyptians children and we will only discover joy, peace,
urged the people to hurry and leave the country; love and eternal life in union with Him.
they said, “We will all be dead if you don’t leave.
So the people filled their baking pans with the
unleavened dough, wrap them in clothing and - Throughout the history of Israel, the people
carried them on their shoulders. periodically abandoned God-YHWH and
- The Israelites had done as Moses had said, and turned to idols. The clearest example of this
had asked the Egyptians for gold and silver occurred in Exodus Chapter 32 when Moses was
jewelry and for clothes. The Lord made the on Mount Sinai, speaking to the Lord and
Egyptians respect the people and give them what receiving the Ten Commandments. The people
they asked for. The Israelites carried away the below became impatient waiting for Moses and
wealth of the Egyptians. under Aaron's leadership, they made and
- The name of the Pharoah during the time of worshipped a golden calf, created from their
Moses was Rameses. “Ra” means son and “Ses” own jewelry. With God's plan of molding them as
means sun. the Pharoah is the son of the god of His chosen people whom He will also use in
sun. It was difficult for the Pharaoh to accept that starting to carry out His plan of salvation for
there is another god. humanity, He will give the Ten Commandments
as their fundamental norms or rules for their lives.
 - Idols that God prohibits in the context of the first
commandment refer to anything like image/statue
MOSES RECEIVES THE TEN COMMANMENTS
or even animals, person, or object which people
- After leaving Egypt, the Israelites reached the worship as a god.
Sinai Desert. They spent 2 days preparing to meet - WORSHIP is adoring or praising.
God at the “mountain of God”. - The Catholic practice of respecting sacred/holy
- Moses received the 10 commandments at Mt. place, sacred things like the Bible or sacred
Sinai after 3 days. (Near the burning bush) images/statue is called VENERATION.

1ST COMMANDMENT
“I AM THE LORD YOU GOD: YOU SHALL NOT HAVE THE ARK OF THE COVENENT
OTHER GODS BESIDE ME.”
(Which housed the Ten Commandments is guarded by two
- covenant with the Israelites as His chosen people images (statues) of angels)
Commands: Adoration prayer, sacrifice, honoring
- “You shall not carve idols for yourselves in the
promises, vows
shape of anything in the sky above or on the earth
below or in the waters beneath the earth. You Practices: regular prayer time, offering day to God,
shall not bow down before them or worship inviting God to work in our lives, being faithful to our
them.”(exodus 20:2-4) vows and promises to God, helping our faith to grow by
- Obeying this means adoring and worshipping God participating in the Eucharistic and other sacraments,
alone. reading, guarding religious liberty in civil law.

- We cannot place anything in our lives before Him,

not our material wealth, ambition, or even our 2nd COMMANDMENT
relationships with others. Because God is the
source of everything we have and love; to place “YOU SHALL NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD,
anything before Him also distorts our relationship YOUR GOD IN VAIN.” (Exodus 20:7)
with Him and also with other people. We can keep
the First Commandment through constant acts of
faith, hope, and love. HERE ARE SOME SINS THAT GO SPECIFICALLY
AGAINST THE SECOND COMMANDMENT:

 BLASPHEMY- speech, thought or action that

 IDOLATRY – worshipping someone else or
shows disrespect to God, the Church, or persons
something other than God.
dedicated to God.
 DIVINATION AND MAGIC- putting faith and
 PROFANITY/CURSING- uttering offensive
in trust in spiritual powers that do not belong to
words in anger or annoyance especially when
God. This includes putting faith in fortune-tellers
using God's name.
or others who claim to have special magic powers.
 PERJURY- lying under oath. If we take an oath
 TEMPTING GOD- putting God’s goodness and
to tell the truth and even using God as a witness
power to test.
“(promise to God") but we do not fulfill it then
 SIMONY- buying or selling the things that God that is perjury.
offers.
 SACRILEGE- the act of treating holy
objects/places with disrespect. 3rd COMMANDMENT
 AETHEISM- refusing to believe in God.
“REMEMBER TO KEEP HOLY THE SABBATH DAY.”
 AGNOSTICISM- not sure about God or
indifferent to God. - Six days you may labor and do all your work but
 SYNCRETISM- the act of treating holy the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your
objects/places with disrespect. God. No work may be done then either by you or
 HERESY- is a belief or action at odds with what your son or daughter or your male or female slave,
is accepted, especially when the behavior is or your beast or by the alien who lives with
contrary to religious doctrine or belief. For you...on the seventh day God rested... and blessed
example, a catholic who says God does not exist. it and made it holy. (Exodus 20:8-11)
VIOLATIONS AGAINST THE THIRD
COMMANDMENT
CLARIFICATION ON THE MEANING OF
THE WORD IDOLS, AND THE - The teachings of Jesus Christ are clear such that
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WORSHIP anything that does not amount to honoring God
and not giving ourselves and others a time to rest
ANDVENERATION
is a direct of violation to this commandment.
 Anything that does not glorify God and respect handed on to us the knowledge of God. We are
the dignity of others must be avoided. obliged to honor and respect all those whom God,
for our good, has vested with His authority.

THE SHIFT OF THE SABBATH DAY FROM - The fourth commandment is addressed
SATURDAY TO SUNDAY specifically to children in their relationship
with their father and mother, because this
- The Israelites observed the Sabbath day on the relationship is the most foundational. It likewise
seventh day of the week (Saturday), which concerns the ties of kinship between members of
marked the completion of God's creation of the the extended family. It requires honor, affection,
world. For us Christians, we celebrate the Lord's and gratitude toward elders and ancestors. Finally,
Day on Sunday, the first day of the week since it it extends to the duties of pupils to teachers,
was on that day that Jesus rose from the dead. employees to employers, subordinates to leaders,
This is why we call it the Lord's Day. citizens to their country, and to those who
administer or govern it.
- It reminds us of His Resurrection, and how He - Also, this commandment includes and
created the whole world new! This practice of presupposes the duties of parents, instructors,
worshipping on the first day of the week was teachers, leaders, and magistrates, those who
started by the Apostles (Acts 20:7) which we govern, and all who exercise authority over others
followed. This is why, one of the names/titles of or over a community of persons.
our Church is Apostolic. Another implication of
this is, we also give God the first day of our week. DUTY OF CHILDREN:
For the Israelites' symbolism, seven (7) is a
- Respect for parents (filial piety) derives from
perfect number, that is why they give it to God.
gratitude toward those who, by the gift of life,
their love and their work, have brought their
COMMANDS: observing Sunday as a day set aside for children into the world and enabled them to grow
God, as a day of rest, day of prayer, Mass on Sunday and in stature, wisdom, and grace. "With all your heart
holy days of obligation. honor your father, and do not forget the birth
pangs of your mother. Remember that through
PRACTICES: attending mass on Sunday, spending time your parents you were born; what can you give
with family, in reading, prayer, or works of charity. back to them that equals their gift to you?" (CCC,
#2215)
- As long as a child lives at home with her/his
In the first three commandments, we received the gifts parents, the child should obey her/his parents in
of God's self-revelation to humanity. We also learn what all that they ask of her/him when it is for her/his
constitutes a proper response to this self-revelation and good or that of the family. "Children, obey your
thereby a proper relationship with God. The final seven parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord."
commandments are gifts that primarily reveal God's Children should also obey the reasonable
will for us in our relationships with each other. directions of their teachers and all to whom their
parents have entrusted them. But if a child is
After the first three commandments prescribing our duties
convinced in conscience that it would be morally
toward God comes seven others laying down our
wrong to obey a particular order, she/he must not
obligations toward ourselves and our fellow human
do so. (CCC, #2217)
beings. There is first a special commandment regarding
the important duties of children toward their parents, and HERE ARE SOME MORTAL SINS THAT GO
of parents toward their children. This is the fourth of the SPECIFICALLY AGAINST THE FOURTH
Ten Commandments. In a general way, Commandments COMMANDMENT:
5th, 6th, and 7th are concerned with actions, 8th is
concerned with words and 9th and 10th are with our  SERIOUS FAILURE TO CARE FOR AGED
desires. PARENTS/FAILURE TO CARRY OUT THE
LAST WILL OF A DECEASED PARENT-
The commandment is very clear that we are to
honor our parents. That would include taking care
of them in their time of need. Our parents nurtured
4th COMMANDMENT us during our childhood and possibly even up to
our college years as well. It makes sense for us to
‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER, THAT take care of them, and as long as their last will is
YOUR DAYS MAY BE LONG IN THE LAND WHICH not immoral, to follow that up for them.
THE LORD YOUR GOD GIVES YOU.” (Exodus 20:12)  SERIOUS DISRESPECT FOR OR
- The fourth commandment opens the second table DISOBEDIENCE TO PARENTS,
of the Decalogue. It shows us the order of charity. SUPERIORS OR AUTHORITIES- We are not
God has willed that, after Him, we should honor to wish death or evil on anybody, but most
our parents to whom we owe life and who have importantly to our parents.
  WISHING DEATH OR EVIL ON PARENTS- of the aggressor... The one is intended, the other is
We are not to wish death or evil on anybody, but not." (ST, I-II, 64.7)
most importantly to our parents.  EUTHANASIA- it's the act of killing an
 ABUSE OR SERIOUS NEGLECT OF individual for reasons considered to be merciful.
CHILDREN- This is where some people will Euthanasia is sinful for the same reason that
think it goes a little different. Yes, we are to honor abortion is sinful: it violates the rights of an
our parents, but parents must also take care of individual. On its surface, euthanasia may seem
their children. It is a mortal sin for parents to quite attractive, as it offers a solution to end
abuse or seriously neglect their children since they human suffering, but our Catechism observes it as
are individuals that God has given them to take a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the
care of. They do not belong to them forever, nor human person and to the respect due to the living
are their property. Some abuses would be beating God, our Creator.
their own children especially treating as if they  ABORTION- An abortion is a procedure to end a
already adult ones, starving their children for pregnancy. It uses medicine or surgery to remove
lengthy period of time. Serious neglect would also the embryo or fetus and placenta from the uterus.
include abandonment, failure to take care of their
NOTE OF CONSOLATION
children, and other such parenting failures.
 Here we need to remark that while the Fifth
Commandment forbids murder, and, thus, the taking of
5th COMMANDMENT
our own life, we must leave to God's mercy the judgment
“THOU SHALL NOT KILL.” (Exodus 20:13) of those who have committed suicide. At the same time,
we must remember our life is a gift given in trust. We do
- The "fifth word” of the Decalogue primarily not exercise complete control over it; God expects us to
reveals to us the sacredness of all human life. The give it back. Thus, the Catechism teaches: “Everyone is
human person is made in the image and likeness responsible for his life before God who has given it to
of God and, therefore, has an inalienable dignity him. It is God who remains the sovereign Master of
and worth. However, this sacredness rests life. We are obliged to accept life gratefully and
fundamentally on the fact that every human preserve it for his honor and the salvation of our souls.
person is freely created by God out of love in We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has
order to share eternal life in communion with entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of.” (CCC,
God. In other words, the human person is sacred #2280)
because the human person is both made by God
and made for God. We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons
- The Fifth Commandment prohibition against who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him
killing clearly forbids direct and intentional alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary
killing. Murder is always gravely sinful, repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken
regardless of the form it takes. In a similar way, their own lives. (CCC, #2283)
indirectly bringing about a person's death, when
done intentionally, is also a clear violation of the
commandment. 6th COMMANDMENT
HERE ARE SOME SPECIFIC CASES OF MORTAL “THOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.” (Exodus
SINS THAT GO SPECIFICALLY AGAINST THE 20:14)
FIFTH COMMANDMENT:
- Adultery is when a person gives to another the
 HOMICIDE- the crime of killing another person love that belongs to a husband and wife. This is
or human. forbidden by the 6th Commandment. But implicit
 MURDER- the same with homicide but with in the commandment is any form of undue sexual
intentions (pre-planned) activity that leads oneself or another into sin.
 INFANTICIDE- the crime of killing a child - So, it covers a wide variety of subjects. Our
within a year of birth. bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and we
 FRATRICIDE- killing one’s brother or sister. should therefore respect them and cover them
 SUICIDE- the act of taking one’s own life may it modestly. We must also respect those of the
be voluntarily or intentionally. opposite sex. The 6th commandment forbids all
 PARRICIDE- the killing of a parent or close impurity and immodesty in words, looks, and
relative. actions, whether alone or with others. Examples of
 SELF-DEFENSE- In this case we need to this would be: touching one's own body or that of
consider what the Church's moral theologians another without necessity simply to satisfy sinful
name the Principle of Double Effect. St. Thomas curiosity, impure conversations, dirty jokes,
Aquinas explains this very simply when he writes, looking at bad pictures, and undue familiarity with
“The act of self-defense can have a double effect: the opposite sex.
the preservation of one's own life; and the killing - The Sixth Commandment summons spouses to
practice permanent and exclusive fidelity to one
another. Emotional and sexual fidelity are
 essential to the commitment made in the marriage The Seventh and Eighth commandments are
covenant. God established marriage as a reflection concerned primarily with our duties toward two
of His fidelity to us. The vows made by the possessions of our neighbor - their material goods and
spouses at their wedding to be faithful to one their good reputation. Since human beings have the
another forever should witness the very covenant tendency to be selfish and neglectful of the rights of
God has made with us. others, God considered it necessary to lay down the
explicit commands: "Thou shalt not steal" and "Thou shalt
not bear false witness against thy neighbor". Like the other
- All people—married, single, religious, and commandments, these two commandments prescribe more
ordained—need to acquire the virtue of chastity. obligations than those which they explicitly assert. The
“Chastity means the successful integration of seventh commandment forbids not only stealing but
sexuality within the person and thus the inner every type of dishonest dealing; the eighth forbids not
unity of man in his bodily and spiritual being” only falsehood but also many other sins of the tongue
(CCC, #2337). Chastity unites our sexuality with such as gossiping, the unlawful revelation of secrets,
our entire human nature. It approaches sexuality and the likes.
as related to our spiritual natures so that sex is
seen as more than a physical act. Sexuality affects
the whole person because of the unity of body and The Ninth and Tenth commandments are closely related
soul. Jesus is the model of chastity. “Chastity with the Sixth and Seventh. The Ninth forbidding
includes an apprenticeship in self-mastery which interior sins regarding matters of purity, while the
is a training in human freedom” (CCC, #2339). Sixth forbids external acts; the Tenth forbidding those
The acquisition of chastity depends on self- internal sins the external performance of which is
discipline and leads to an internal freedom, which forbidden by the Seventh commandment.
enables human beings to temper sexual desires
according to God’s plan for the appropriate
expression of love in the marital relationship of a 7th COMMANDMENT
man and a woman.
“THOU SHALL NOT STEAL” (Exodus 20:15)
- The "seventh word” of the Decalogue primarily
THERE ARE NUMBER OF ACTS GO AGAINST reveals to us that God wants us to act justly and
THE 6TH COMMANDMENT: with charity in our relationships with one another.
In this way, we are able to live in communion
 ADULTERY- a voluntary sexual activity (as
with God, who is just and loving. Specifically, the
sexual intercourse) committed by a wife to a
Seventh Commandment “commands justice and
married man and should be charged together.
charity in the care of earthly goods and the fruits
 CONCUBINAGE- is an interpersonal and sexual
of men's labor.” It forbids the unjust taking or
relationship between a man and a woman in which
keeping of goods belonging to one's neighbor and
the couple does not want to a full marriage or
the wronging of another as regards his/her goods.
cannot enter into a full marriage.
- The seventh commandment forbids unjustly
 FORNICATION- voluntary sexual intercourse
taking or keeping the goods of one's neighbor and
between two unmarried persons or two persons wronging him/her in any way with respect to
not married to each other. his/her goods. It commands justice and charity in
 BIGAMY- the act of going through a marriage the care of earthly goods and the fruits of men's
ceremony while already married to another labor. For the sake of the common good, it
person. requires respect for the universal destination of
 POLYGAMY- state of marriage to many spouses goods and respect for the right to private property.
 Polygyny-marriage in which two or more Christian life strives to order this world's goods to
women share a husband. God and to fraternal charity. (CCC, 2401).
 Polyandry-a woman has more than one
husband.
 SEX PARTNERS -is against God's will as well. JUSTICE AND CHARITY
It demeans the sex act which reflects God's love
 Justice- is the moral virtue that “consists in
and the fact that we are temples of the Holy Spirit.
the constant and firm will to give what is due
 HOMOSEXUALITY- two men/women having to God and neighbor.”
sex is immoral in God's eyes.
 Charity- is the theological virtue by “which
NOTE: (The Church teaches that Homosexuality is not a we love God above all things for His own
sin but the activity ‘sex acts' are sinful.) sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the
love of God.”
In conclusion, any sex outside of marriage is wrong in
God's eyes. No matter how "right" it feels at the moment.
 Remember:  CALUMNY- which is lying about
another and causing others to form false
Christ's warning on the danger of riches. Anyone who
negative opinions of the individual.
desires to be rich, that is, to have more material
possessions than what he needs will find it hard to -the making of false and
respect the property of their neighbor. And the more defamatory statements about someone in
we love the things of this earth, the harder we shall order to damage their reputation;
find it to love God. (synonymous to slander and defamation.)

HERE ARE SOME OF THE SINS AGAINST 9th COMMANDMENT

THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT:
“THOU SHALL NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR’S
The Seventh Commandment expressly forbids: Theft, WIFE.” (Deuteronomy 5:21)
robbery, cheating, usury, injuring the property of
another, detention of goods that have been found or
lent, and the non-payment of debts. - By the 9th commandment we are commanded to
be pure in thought and desire. Mere thoughts
about impure things are not always sinful in
8th COMMANDMENT themselves, but such thoughts are dangerous.
Thoughts about impure things become sinful
“THOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS
when a person thinks of an unchaste act (thoughts
AGAINST THY NEIGHBOR.” (Exodus 20:16)
of sex) and deliberately takes pleasure in so
thinking, or when unchaste desire or passion is
aroused and consent is given to it.
JESUS & US: REFLECTIONS OF TRUTH - The 9th commandment forbids all thoughts and
desires contrary to chastity. That is to say, it
- Throughout the gospel, the evangelists portray
forbids all willful thoughts. We know that no
Jesus as the embodiment of God's truth. He,
thought can be a sin unless it is willful. A willful
himself, says, “I am the way, the Truth, and the
thought is one we want, one we take deliberate
Life," (Jn. 14:6) and this truth sheds God's light
pleasure in and do not try to put out of our minds.
upon the world and provides the example for all
our actions. If we consider the matter, this is no CONCUPISCENCE
more than we should expect of beings created in
God's image: if we look like God, we ought to act - In Latin, the word “concupiscence” means “to
like God. desire strongly”, and our Catechism defines
- Mark Twain, somewhat cynically observed, "If concupiscence as “...any intense form of human
you tell the truth, you don't have to remember desire. Christian theology has given it a particular
anything.” In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus meaning: the movement of the sensitive appetite
expresses the notion somewhat more nobly when contrary to the operation of human reason.” (CCC,
he teaches, “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’or #2515)
'No'; anything more comes from evil.” (Mt. 5:34) - Concupiscence is one of the results of Original
Sin. It is not sinful, but its presence within us can
HERE ARE SOME OF THE OFFENSES incline us to make poor moral choices when faced
AGAINST TRUTH: with certain attractive options. Concupiscence is
what St. Paul has in mind when he employs the
 LIES- lie is an assertion that is believed to be
very apt image of the flesh rebelling against the
false, typically used with purpose of deceiving
spirit.
someone.
 PERJURY- lying under oath. If we take an oath
to tell the truth but then we lie, we are telling God FORBIDDEN ACT BY THE NINTH
that we want Him to lie for us. God is always true COMMANDMENT:
to His promises and never lies! For this reason,
false oaths and perjury seriously offended God.  ACT OF LASCIVIOUSNESS- it is an act of
making a physical contact with the body of
another person for the purpose of obtaining sexual
gratification other than, or without intention of
 OTHER LIES
sexual intercourse.
 RASH JUDGMENT- which assumes,
-having impure thoughts and desires.
without proof, someone has done wrong.
 DETRACTION- which is telling the
faults of another to those who have no
reason to know the information. 10th COMMANDMENT
“YOU SHALL NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBOR’S
GOODS, HIS LAND, AND HIS SLAVES, HIS ANIMALS
OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT HE OWNS.” (Deuteronomy REVIEW OF SOME SYMBOLIC NUMBERS IN
5:22) THE BIBLE
- You might have personally read Biblical passages
such as “Jesus fasted for 40 days”, “Moses stayed
- The Tenth commandment unfolds and completes
on the mountain for 40 days”, God rested on the
the Ninth, which is concerned with concupiscence
Sabbath/seventh day, Jesus resurrected on the 3rd
of the flesh. It forbids coveting the goods of
day, David had 700 wives and 300 concubines,
another, as the root of theft, robbery, and fraud,
“will I forgive him 7 times” etc.
which the Seventh commandment forbids. "Lust
of the eyes" leads to the violence and injustice
- The numbers 3, 7, 40 when used in the Old
forbidden by the Fifth commandment. Avarice,
Testament are not literal or actual as others would
like fornication, originates in the idolatry
understand it but symbolic.
prohibited by the first three prescriptions of the
Law.
- 7 symbolizes perfection, that is why they always
SPECIFIC SIN THAT GO AGAINST TO THE 10 TH give it to God like the Sabbath/seventh day. 3
COMMANDMENT: stands for few if they refer to numbers and short
span of time if about duration. So, king Solomon
 AVARICE- extreme greed for wealth or material did not really have 700 hundred wives since
gain. nobody made a research about it, but it simply
means he had numerous wives and he still had few
concubines. 40 stands for long span of time and
time for purification. The Israelites did not
literally stay for forty years in the desert but
THE STORY OF JOSHUA AND THE simply means that they stayed there for a long
BOOK OF JUDGES period of time. Another example is “40 days of
the dead person”, means you pray for her/his soul
to be purified so that on the 40th day he/she
should be freed from his/her sins; and it is not just
CONCLUSION TO THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
about eating.
The 10 commandments reflect the Love of God and the
Love of Neighbor
ISRAELITES IN THE DESERT
Our Gospel reading last October 25, 2020 found in
- After their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites first
Matthew 22: 34-40 is the perfect summary of the 10
settled in the desert for “forty” years; “40” years
Commandments. In response to the question of the
of wandering as part of their journey to the
pharisees on which is the greatest commandment of the
Promised Land. They experienced a lot of
Law? Jesus said …, 'You must love the Lord your God
struggles such as shortage of food and water and
with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your
other basic needs. This was where God had to
mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The
give them manna bread from heaven and water.
second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as
There were even times that they complained to
yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole
God and they repented after they were punished.
Law, and the Prophets too.'
“40” years in the desert means they stayed there
for a long period of time since it was their time for
purification as God was molding them as His
The Ten Commandments were given in a treaty format chosen people to start His salvific plan for all
since they are the basis for our right relationship with people.
God, and with others. Others includes our environment
and many other things around us which we should take
care.
THE STORY OF JOSHUA: ENTRY TO THE
PROMISED LAND (CANAAN)
The 10 commandments are not prohibitions and - The book of Joshua speaks about the conquest and
limitations of our freedom as some would see it but rather settlement of the household of God/Israelites in
on the proper perspective, these are the means for us to the Promise Land. God through the leadership of
achieve total freedom. These serve as guiding paths for us Joshua will now finally let His people settle in the
to experience real and total freedom and healthy lifestyle land He promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
where there are no crimes, no hatred, no enemies and most This is the “land flowing with milk and honey”
importantly no war among different nations and different (Exodus 13:5), in other words, a very fertile land.
sectors.

- After Moses had died, the Lord said to Joshua,

son of Nun: “My servant Moses is dead. So
 prepare to cross the Jordan here, with all the statutes/Commandments or else they will perish.
people into the land I will give the Israelites. As (Joshua 24)
I promised, I will deliver to you every place
where you set foot. Your domain is to be all the
land of the Hittites, from the desert and from - Since the Israelites are now settled in
Lebanon east to the great river Euphrates and Canaan/promised Land, the only thing they need
west to the Great Sea. No one can withstand to do was to remain faithful to the Lord/YHWH.
you while you live. I will be with you as I was If there are problems or disputes among the tribes
with Moses: I will not leave you nor forsake or if they are being attacked by their enemies and
you. Be firm and steadfast, so that you may they cry out to the Lord, leaders would come out
give this people possession of the land which I to deliver them from these adversaries. With this
swore to their fathers I would give them. Above situation, leaders would only come out when
all, be firm and steadfast, taking care to needed; so, leaders just come and go. These
observe the entire law which my servant Moses leaders will be called the Judges.
enjoined on you. Do not swerve from it either
to the right or to the left, which you may
succeed wherever you go. Keep this book of the
THE BOOK OF JUDGES
law on your lips. Recite it, by day and by night
that you may observe carefully all that is - The Book of Judges tell the story of the Israelites
written in it; then you will successfully attain after the death of Joshua of which the pattern was,
your goal. I command you: be firm and when they obeyed God's commands, they were
steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the victorious over their enemies, but when they
Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.” rebelled against Him, they were defeated and
(Joshua 1:1-9) oppressed. Judges was the title of the leaders of
the Israelites during this time. They were the
transition leaders before the emergence of the
- From the desert, the Israelites need to cross the kings. There were 12 judges in all; Othniel, Ehud,
Jordan River for them to enter Canaan (Promised Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Tola, Jair, Jephthah,
Land). How did they do this? They crossed it with Ibzan, Elon, Abdon and Samson. Including Barak
the Ark of the Covenant carried by the priests. and Samuel in some category, there will be 14.
When the soles of the feet of the priests carrying
the ark of the Lord, the Lord of the whole earth, - These Judges served as military leaders in times
touched the water of the Jordan, it ceased flowing of crisis, rather than judges in the legal sense of
until all Israelites crossed over on dry ground. the world. The great lesson of these books is that
(Joshua 3:5-17) Israel’s survival depended on Fidelity/faithfulness
to God, while unfaithfulness always leads to
disaster. But there was something more than this:
- After crossing the Jordan River, the Israelites even when the nation was unfaithful to God and
camped in Gilgal on the eastern limits of Jericho. disaster came, God was always ready to save his
At Gilgal Joshua set up the twelve stones, saying people when they repented and turned to him
to the Israelites, “In the future, when the children again.
among you ask their fathers what these stones
mean, you shall inform them, ‘Israel crossed the DIFFERENT MESSAGES OF THE STORY OF
Jordan with the help of the Lord just as the Lord, SOME OF THESE JUDGES
your God, had done in the Red Sea, in order that
all the peoples of the earth may learn that the hand  DEBORAH – She is the only female judge, and a
of the Lord is mighty, and that you may fear the prophetess. Her name means “honeybee,” Having
Lord, your God, forever.” (Joshua 4:19-24) a woman leader was contrary to most people’s
thought that only men should rule. Deborah is the
example that leadership can be exercised by both
- With the leadership of Joshua, God allowed the men and women. God can used anybody as His
Israelites to conquer Jericho and other cities in the instrument to accomplish His mission. Man and
Promised Land. When they conquered most part woman are equal in dignity.
of Canaan/promised land, Joshua divided the land
among the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe of
Levi was not given since it was dedicated to the  GIDEON – was known to be one who came from
priesthood/priestly clan. This means that the a least tribe/clan, but God called him, and he
people will take care of their priests. Before his defeated the many enemies with only 300 soldiers.
death, Joshua renewed Israel’s covenant with the This means that God can choose the least to cast
Lord. He told the Israelites to remain faithful to down the powerful or to defeat a great enemy.
the Lord/YHWH and keep His Gideon earned the name—Jerubbaal—for
destroying the altar of Baal who was the god of
 the Canaanites. Baal was a god of fertility for the the land of Canaan. The Israelites are called such since
Canaanites. they were the descendants of Jacob whose name is also
Israel. Judah was one of the twelve sons of Jacob/Israel.
Later the whole land of Canaan will be called Israel and
 SAMSON – is one of the most well-known later the southern part of the land will be called Judah or
among the Judges. This was because of his gift of Judea where the Israelites will get their modern name
strength which he used to defeat the enemies of Jews.
the Israelites or to create havoc among them.
Samson was a Nazarite which means a
person“dedicated”/offered to God from the time
he was born. As part of his vows, he never cut his
hair or not allowed to drink much wine. As SAMUEL:
commonly known, he revealed his secret to an Prophet, Last of the Judges and Anointer of Kings
unworthy person which caused his downfall. The
great lesson here is, keep your secrets holy and be - Samuel was a man chosen by God from his
faithful to your vows. miraculous birth until his death. He is known by
answering God’s call when he was still young by
saying: “Speak Lord, your servant is listening”.
 SAMUEL – was the last Judge though he was He served in several important positions during
more of a prophet. He answered God’s calling his life, earning God's favor because he knew how
when he was young, and He will be the one who to obey.
will anoint King Saul and King David later when
he grew as a prophet. He was in a transition time - Israel’s often oppression from their enemies made
between the Judges and the Kings. So, God calls them demand for a king to Samuel. At first
anyone whether young or old for the mission. Samuel was hesitant since this was a sure
evidence of their unfaithfulness and not
acknowledging God/YHWH as their King. Later
Samuel will give in to their demand with great
PATTERN OF LIFE OF THE ISRAELITES DURING
conditions; The king must still acknowledge and
THE TIME OF THE JUDGES
be faithful to God/YHWH as the Highest King
- -The people are unfaithful to Yahweh, they will and the king should be faithful to the Israelites’
experience disaster such as falling into the hands covenant with God. If the king and the people will
of their enemies; the people repent and entreat again be unfaithful to God, they will be wiped
Yahweh for mercy, He saves them by sending a away or perish.
leader (judge), and the judge delivers the Israelites
THE FIRST THREE KINGS OF ISRAEL
from oppression and they are back to God but
later this pattern will be repeated.

 SAUL
The prosperous life of the Israelites in the Promised - As the Lord granted the Israelites’ demand,
Land/Canaan had some negative effect. They had Samuel anointed Saul as their first king. He was a
forgotten or become unfaithful to the God of their tall and handsome man from the tribe of
ancestors especially with their marriage to Canaanite Benjamin.
women which resulted in the worship of the Canaanite
god (Baal: their god of fertility). Their faith in God- - “Then, from a flask he had with him, Samuel
YHWH which was the only uniting force/element was no poured oil on Saul’s head; he also kissed him,
longer there. They were no longer strongly united as saying: “The Lord anoints you commander
people of God/YHWH. This situation often caused their over his heritage. You are to govern the Lord’s
defeat and oppression from their enemies. During this people Israel, and to save them from the grasp
period, the Israelites saw that the Canaanites/Philistines of their enemies round about.” This will be the
were so great that they needed to be united under one sign for you that the Lord has anointed you
military leader or king. Such demand was directed to commander over his heritage: (1 Samuel 10:1)
Samuel, who was the last of the judges of Israel.

- “Now you have the king you want, a king the

Lord has given to you. If you fear the Lord and
CLARIFICATION OF SOME TERMS
worship him, if you are obedient to him and do
Philistines is a modern term for the Canaanites. The not rebel against the Lord’s command, if both you
Philistines or Canaanites were the first migrants in and the king who rules you follow the Lord your
Canaan, the land which God promised to the ancestors of God – well and good. But if you do not obey the
the Israelites. The Canaanites/Philistines are composed of Lord and if you rebel against his command, the
different tribes such as the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Lord will deal severely with you and your king.”
Hivites and Jebusites, etc. Palestine is the modern term for (1 Samuel 12: 13-15, 21-25
 DAVID’s ACHIEVEMENTS
- At the beginning of his reign, Saul appeared to be In his reign as the King of Israel, David was very
a meek and humble king, and a great blessing for successful as he defeated all their enemies from every
Israel. He had some good achievements like side. The peak of his kingship was his settlement in
freeing Israel from their enemies and extending Jerusalem which he captured from the Jebusites. He
their territorial boundaries, but soon did not live named Jerusalem as the City of David, the City of God.
as expected of him by God. He would greatly David was overwhelmed and humbled by God’s
disobey God by listening more to his own desires graciousness to him as the king of Israel. As a sign of
and to the people around him. He did not follow gratitude, David brought the Ark of the Covenant to
God’s plans especially in dealing with some Jerusalem, in the midst of singing and dancing. The Ark
enemies but implemented his own desires. God was placed in a tent prepared for it, and David offered
was so displeased with Saul’s disobedience and sacrifice before the Lord. David was also a psalmist and a
regretted making him king. This led to his player of a harp.
rejection by God.

In Jerusalem, David wanted to build a house for the Lord

Before the rise of David, there is a story of a woman (temple) since he was somewhat guilty by living in a
named Ruth. Ruth was a Moabite or non-Israelite who was palace as a king while the Ark of the Covenant was just
married by Boaz. Boaz was the father of Obed, who was staying in a small simple tent. God did not accept such
the father of Jesse who became the father of David. So, plan, but rather promised David a “house” for his
Ruth who was a non-Israelite became the great faithfulness. This “house” would later mean an eternal
grandmother of the icon king David. The strong message dynasty; that after him, his descendants would be the next
is, anybody can become/join the people of God so long as kings to reign until the end.
you believe in and be faithful to Him. God is not just a
God for the Israelites. Recall Ruth’s very remarkable
words to her mother in law Naomi: “Your people will be David was not all righteous during his reign as king. He
my people and your God will be my God”. also had his weaknesses. Though he was a great
conqueror, he was not able to conquer his own selfish
This story of Ruth is also the same with the story of desires, especially the desire of the flesh. After his
Rahab, a woman from Jericho who saved the two spies of triumphs over his enemies, David succumbed to the
Joshua and later joined the Israelites when they conquered temptation of the flesh. He became obsessed with a
Jericho. This will again remind us that God’s salvific plan beautiful woman named Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, one
is intended for all people. of his soldiers. To get her, he sent Uriah to the forefront of
the battle that led to his imminent death. Thus, David
committed the sins of adultery and murder by planning the
 DAVID death of Uriah and marrying Bathsheba. Through the
- After Saul’s rejection, God asked Samuel to look prophet Nathan, David realized his sins and asked God’s
for a new King. Samuel went to Bethlehem and forgiveness. (read Psalm 51, David’s asking God’s for
anointed the young shepherd David, son of Jesse. forgiveness)
At first Samuel was confused on whom to anoint
since the sons of Jesse were all handsome or good
looking. God told Samuel, “God does not look at The death of the first son of David with Bathsheba was
the appearance but the heart of a person”. conceived by some as his punishment for his sin. His son
Absalom revolted against his father David due to his
- David rise to stardom began when he killed the ambition to become the next king but failed. He was killed
giant Philistine warrior Goliath. With complete in the end by the general of David. David still mourned for
trust in God’s protection, the young David his son Absalom.
eventually defeated the giant warrior. David was
on the rise while Saul was falling. The jealous
Saul often attempted to kill David who was also Remember, David will not be defeated since he was the
his son in law but failed. David on the other hand king chosen and anointed by God through the prophet
would spare Saul if Saul is cornered by David’s Samuel.
men since David respected Saul as his father in
law and most especially being the first anointed
by God. So, David really had this fear of the Lord.
Saul’s end came when he died in a battle with the  SOLOMON
enemies. David asked the people to mourn for Man of Wisdom or Man of Foolishness?
Saul and later the people will “anoint”/proclaim
David as their king. Since David was anointed by - Solomon became the ruler of Israel after the death
Samuel while still young, his kingship was of his father David. He became famous for two
realized fully after the death of Saul. outstanding achievements: his wisdom and the
building of the temple. At the start of his reign,
 Solomon prayed to God for wisdom. This was Jeroboam, Solomon’s servant to rule most of the
generously granted by God. Such wisdom was kingdom of Israel.
shown in the story of how he discovered the true
mother of a baby whom the two women both
claimed to be theirs. He is believed to be the
author of many sayings and proverbs found in the
Book of Proverbs.

- Solomon answered: “You have shown great

kindness to your servant, David my father,
because he walked before you with fidelity,
justice and an upright heart; and you have
continued this great kindness toward him today,
giving him a son to sit upon his throne. Now,
Lord, my God, you have made me your servant,
king to succeed David my father; but I am a mere
youth, not knowing at all how to act. I, your
servant, among the people you have chosen, a
people so vast that it cannot be numbered or
counted. Give your servant, therefore, a listening
heart to judge your people and to distinguish
between good and evil. For who is able to give
judgment for this vast people of yours?” (1 Kings
3:6-9)

-
- King Solomon fulfilled David’s plan to build a
temple for the Ark of the Covenant. The temple
was very large and impressive; it was made of the
best and finest materials. It became the visible
sign of God’s presence and served as a strong
reminder of the covenant between God and the
Israelites. The temple became the center of
Israel’s worship, faith and hope in God. The Ark
of the Covenant was placed inside the Holy of
Holies, the innermost and sacred part of the
Temple. The temple was built in the City of
Jerusalem. Because of the belief that God dwells
in his temple, Jerusalem became the City of God.

THE FALL OF THE KINGDOM OF

SOLOMON

1. THE SINS OF SOLOMON

- King Solomon’s reign was not all an impressive
success. He used forced labor for his ambitious
building projects like the walls of Jerusalem and
others. He lived in luxury, out of the heavy taxes
that he imposed on the people. He married the
daughters of neighboring kings to assure their
support and friendly relations. He had 700 wives
of princely rank and 300 concubines. He
succumbed to the request of some of his foreign
wives to build temples for their gods. Thus,
Solomon committed the very serious sin of
idolatry. This sin is very much against the First
Commandment. The punishment of Solomon’s
grave sin will come later by God allowing