You
shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.72 ( )
You
have heard that it was said to the men of old, "You shall not swear
falsely. . But I say to you, Do not swear at all.73
I.
The Name of the Lord is Holy
2142
The second commandment prescribes respect for the Lord's name. Like the first
commandment, it belongs to the virtue of religion and more particularly it
governs our use of speech in sacred matters.
2143
Among all the words of Revelation, there is one which is unique: the revealed
name of God. God confides his name to those who believe in him; he reveals
himself to them in his personal mystery. the gift of a name belongs to the
order of trust and intimacy. "The Lord's name is holy." For this
reason, man must not abuse it. He must keep it in mind in silent, loving
adoration. He will not introduce it into his own speech except to bless, praise,
and glorify it.74
2144
Respect for his name is an expression of the respect owed to the mystery of God
himself and to the whole sacred reality it evokes. the sense of the sacred is
part of the virtue of religion:
Are
these feelings of fear and awe Christian feelings or not? . . . I say this,
then, which I think no one can reasonably dispute. They are the class of
feelings we should have - yes, have to an intense degree - if we literally had
the sight of Almighty God; therefore they are the class of feelings which we
shall have if we realize His presence. In proportion as we believe that He is
present, we shall have them; and not to have them, is not to realize, not to
believe that He is present.75
2145
The faithful should bear witness to the Lord's name by confessing the faith
without giving way to fear.76 Preaching and catechizing should be permeated
with adoration and respect for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2146
The second commandment forbids the abuse of God's name, i.e., every improper
use of the names of God, Jesus Christ, but also of the Virgin Mary and all the
saints.
2147
Promises made to others in God's name engage the divine honor, fidelity,
truthfulness, and authority. They must be respected in justice. To be
unfaithful to them is to misuse God's name and in some way to make God out to
be a liar.77
2148
Blasphemy is directly opposed to the second commandment. It consists in
uttering against God - inwardly or outwardly - words of hatred, reproach, or
defiance; in speaking ill of God; in failing in respect toward him in one's
speech; in misusing God's name. St. James condemns those "who blaspheme
that honorable name [of Jesus] by which you are called."78 The prohibition
of blasphemy extends to language against Christ's Church, the saints, and
sacred things. It is also blasphemous to make use of God's name to cover up
criminal practices, to reduce peoples to servitude, to torture persons or put
them to death. the misuse of God's name to commit a crime can provoke others to
repudiate religion.
Blasphemy
is contrary to the respect due to God and his holy name. It is in itself a grave
sin.79
2149
Oaths that misuse God's name, though without the intention of blasphemy, show a lack of respect for the Lord. the second commandment also forbids magical use
of the divine name.
[God's]
name is great when spoken with respect to the greatness of his majesty. God's
name is holy when said with veneration and fear of offending him.80
II.
Taking the Name of the Lord in Vain
2150
The second commandment forbids false oaths. Taking an oath or swearing is to
take God as a witness to what one affirms. It is to invoke the divine truthfulness
as a pledge of one's own truthfulness. An oath engages the Lord's name.
"You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve him, and swear by his
name."81
2151
Rejection of false oaths is a duty toward God. As Creator and Lord, God is the
norm of all truth. Human speech is either in accord with or in opposition to
God who is Truth itself. When it is truthful and legitimate, an oath highlights
the relationship of human speech with God's truth. A false oath calls on God to
be witness to a lie.
2152
A person commits perjury when he makes a promise under oath with no intention
of keeping it, or when after promising on oath he does not keep it. Perjury is
a grave lack of respect for the Lord of all speech. Pledging oneself by oath to
commit an evil deed is contrary to the holiness of the divine name.
2153
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explained the second commandment: "You
have heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You shall not swear falsely,
but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.' But I say to you, Do not
swear at all.... Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than
this comes from the evil one."82 Jesus teaches that every oath involves a
reference to God and that God's presence and his truth must be honored in all
speech. Discretion in calling upon God is allied with a respectful awareness of
his presence, which all our assertions either witness to or mock.
2154
Following St. Paul,83 The tradition of the Church has understood Jesus' words
as not excluding oaths made for grave and right reasons (for example, in court).
"An oath, that is the invocation of the divine name as a witness to the truth,
cannot be taken unless in truth, in judgment, and justice."84
2155
The holiness of the divine name demands that we neither use it for trivial
matters nor take an oath which on the basis of the circumstances could be
interpreted as approval of an authority unjustly requiring it. When an oath is
required by illegitimate civil authorities, it may be refused. It must be
refused when it is required for purposes contrary to the dignity of persons or
to ecclesial communion.
III.
The Christian Name
2156
The sacrament of Baptism is conferred "in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit."85 In Baptism, the Lord's name sanctifies
man, and the Christian receives his name in the Church. This can be the name of
a saint, that is, of a disciple who has lived a life of exemplary fidelity to the
Lord. the patron saint provides a model of charity; we are assured of his
intercession. the "baptismal name" can also express a Christian
mystery or Christian virtue. "Parents, sponsors, and the pastor are to see
that a name is not given which is foreign to Christian sentiment."86
2157
The Christian begins his day, his prayers, and his activities with the Sign of
the Cross: "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit. Amen." the baptized person dedicates the day to the glory of God
and calls on the Savior's grace which lets him act in the Spirit as a child of
the Father. the sign of the cross strengthens us in temptations and
difficulties.
2158
God calls each one by name.87 Everyone's name is sacred. the name is the icon
of the person. It demands respect as a sign of the dignity of the one who bears
it.
2159
The name one receives is a name for eternity. In the kingdom, the mysterious
and unique character of each person marked with God's name will shine forth in
splendor. "To him who conquers . . . I will give a white stone, with a new
name written on the stone which no one knows except him who receives
it."88 "Then I looked, and Lo, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with
him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father's name
written on their foreheads."89
IN
BRIEF
2160
"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth" (⇒ Ps 8:1)!
2161
The second commandment enjoins respect for the Lord's name. the name of the
Lord is holy.
2162
The second commandment forbids every improper use of God's name. Blasphemy is
the use of the name of God, of Jesus Christ, of the Virgin Mary, and of the
saints in an offensive way.
2163
False oaths call on God to be witness to a lie. Perjury is a grave offense
against the Lord who is always faithful to his promises.
2164
"Do not swear whether by the Creator, or any creature, except truthfully,
of necessity, and with reverence" (St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual
Exercises, 38).
2165
In Baptism, the Christian receives his name in the Church. Parents, godparents,
and the pastor are to see that he be given a Christian name. the patron saint
provides a model of charity and the assurance of his prayer.
2166
The Christian begins his prayers and activities with the Sign of the Cross:
"in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen."
2167
God calls each one by name (cf ⇒
Isa 43:1).
GO TO:
SECTION TWO THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
CHAPTER ONE YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND
PART THREE LIFE IN CHRIST
SECTION TWO THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
SECTION TWO THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
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