The Ten Commandments

Earlier this month, our bishop made his annual visitation. A core part of his sermon dealt with the Ten Commandments. He pointed out the beauty of the translation of the Ten Commandments in the Book of Common Prayer's catechism. The commandments are less "Thou shalt not" and more "Thou shalt". We can't just go down the list and mutter "Nope, haven't done that one! Or that one! Guess I'm good!" The Prayer Book's catechism focuses on the positive- it gives us guidance as to what to do.

Commandments (and the rest of the Law as given by Moses) have a strange place in Christianity. On one hand, we have St Paul reminding us that we are saved by God's grace in Jesus Christ; we can't earn our life with God because it is a gift.On the other hand, we have St James reminding us that if our relationship with God doesn't translate to our relationships with others, then we aren't really living the Gospel.

We can take St Paul's theology too far and wrongly interpret him as saying "It's all good! Jesus will wash those sins away. Sin away!" Does this characterize the modern American mindset? For some it does. The acceptance of homosexuality and birth control are just two signs that "All is acceptable." They believe that the modern age's moral compass is "Does it feel good?"

Then some see Christianity as a set of frozen, lifeless rules and obligations, most of which are broken by hypocrites in the church.

Christianity can't be lifeless rules, but it also isn't "Do what you like." It's a path walking to and with God, and we need guidance for the road.So then the Ten Commandments (and the rest of the Law) are guideposts for Christians. They sit alongside the road directing us toward the destination and help us from getting lost and confused, but it isn't in keeping those commandments that we are saved. The path means nothing if it doesn't bring us closer to God, but we do need some light to help illumine the path.


Here's a litany for the Ten Commandments. It is based on the catechism and the penitential order from the Prayer Book. 

Litany of the Ten Commandments

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

O God, you have given us the Law to be a lantern to our feet and a light upon our path, and through your commandments we gain understanding. But we sin against you; we do not keep your decrees because of the foolishness and malice of our hearts. Through your Son, Jesus Christ, you have redeemed us and freed us from sin and made us heirs of your eternal kingdom. Your Law gives light and guidance; your Son gives redemption and grace.

The first and greatest commandment is to love you, the Lord our God, with all our heart, and all our soul, and all our mind.

Lord, have mercy on us, and incline our hearts to keep your Law.

We are to love and obey you and to bring others to know you.

Lord, have mercy on us, and incline our hearts to keep your Law.

We are to put nothing in your place, to let no one but you in the temples in our hearts.

Lord, have mercy on us, and incline our hearts to keep your Law.

We are to show you respect in thought, word, and deed, to respect the holiness of Your Name.

Lord, have mercy on us, and incline our hearts to keep your Law.

We are to set aside regular times for worship, prayer, and the study of your ways.

Lord, have mercy on us, and incline our hearts to keep your Law.

The second great commandment is like the first. We are to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Lord, have mercy on us, and incline our hearts to keep your Law.

We are to love, honor and help our parents and family; to honor those in authority and to meet their just demands.

Lord, have mercy on us, and incline our hearts to keep your Law.

We are to show respect for the life God has given us; to work and pray for peace; to bear no malice, prejudice and hatred in our hearts; and to be kind to all the creatures of God.

Lord, have mercy on us, and incline our hearts to keep your Law.

We are to use our bodily desires as God intended, for we are members of the Body of Christ and share in his eternal priesthood.

Lord, have mercy on us, and incline our hearts to keep your Law.

We are to be honest and fair in our dealings; to seek justice, freedom and the necessities of life for all people; and to use our talents and possessions as ones who must answer for them to you, O God.

Lord, have mercy on us, and incline our hearts to keep your Law.

We are to speak the truth and not to mislead others by our silence.

Lord, have mercy on us, and incline our hearts to keep your Law.

We are to resist temptations to envy, greed, and jealousy; to rejoice in other people's gifts and graces; and to do our duty for the love of You who has called us into fellowship with the Holy Trinity.

Lord, have mercy on us, and incline our hearts to keep your Law.

Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.