Dear Friends in Christ,
Contrary to the opinion of some, we still believe in the Ten Commandments. As taken from Exodus 20:1-7
and Deuteronomy 5:6-21, we are given some of the building blocks of our faith made even clearer in the
person of Jesus Christ.
• I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange gods before me.
• You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
• Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day.
• Honor your father and your mother.
• You shall not kill.
• You shall not commit adultery.
• You shall not steal.
• You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
• You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
• You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.
These timeless words are as important today as when they were first given to
the human race. God says, "For I, the
Lord, your God, am…. bestowing mercy down to the thousandth generation on the children of those who love me and
keep my commandments."
The Psalmist tells us that the Word of God, His ways and laws, "are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest
gold." Therefore, what are we to do with such knowledge? The answer is quite simple – LIVE what we say we believe.
At last Wednesday's men's group, our seminarian, John Chung, commented that while at the temple, Jesus drove out the
"sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables." We, too, must clean out
all of those things that clog the entrance to the temple of our own bodies and life – that keep us from being authentic followers
of the Lord. Many believers get caught up in the things of this world and forget that they have made a covenant
with God to be His own unique people. This covenant is rooted in the Ten Commandments and perfected by the person
of Jesus Christ. For Christ is the fulfillment of all the law. A true follower of Jesus will not only keep the Ten Commandments
but will do so in the spirit of Jesus who tells us that love of God and neighbor is paramount in keeping the
law of God.
My friends, St. Paul reminds us that true wisdom – true intelligence – is recognizing, believing, and living in "Christ the
power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of
God is stronger than human strength."
Thus, once again, I invite you to pray with me for the wisdom and strength that comes from God to believe and put your
belief into practice in every day life. The Ten Commandments rooted in Christ will never steer a person from the right
road that leads to faith and ultimately to salvation. Simply stated, a life in Christ is the only wise way to live one's life.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. James Tarantino,
Pastor
