Do You Want in On a Secret?

By Guest Blogger June Van Buskirk

Are you aware how frequently our daily Mass scriptures mention The Ten Commandments using a variety of different names for them such as “The law of Moses” or “Covenant of love?” In some instances, the specific Commandments are even clearly spelled out. All throughout Lent it is insightful how the daily scripture readings make the Commandments applicable and relevant to our daily lives.

Early in Lent, on March 7th, the Commandments are featured in the first reading which revisits the timeless guidelines of the Commandments in Leviticus Chapter 19 which expands The Ten Commandments beyond just a set of rules. This reading illustrates that the Commandments make us holy in all things. (see below for full scripture reading)

What does it mean exactly to be “Holy in all things?” Simply put, the secret of being holy comes from following the Ten Commandments— a simple recipe for living a wonderful life! Verse 17 highlights hate for our brother and verse 18 warns us about holding grudges. Isn’t it easy to see how these verses could be applied to our everyday lives, to today’s world news and events? My personal favorite, reflected in verse 12, reminds us to never use the Lord’s name in vain.

On March 14 the first reading is Daniel’s prayer from the book of Daniel 9:4-10. (See below for full scripture reading) His prayer refers to the Commandments as a covenant of love between God and ourselves. In this covenant of love we fulfill our portion of the covenant by living the Commandments.

Also during Lent, be listening to how David includes the Commandments in the Psalms. For example, in Psalm 1:2 David proclaims the “law of the Lord is his joy.” Many of the Psalms refer to the Commandments as “God’s covenant”, “Moses law” and the “covenant of Love ” etc. 

With an awareness of the various names by which the Commandments are referred to, how many times do you suppose the Ten Commandments are mentioned in the Bible? The actual number depends on the translation used, but it is safe to say that the Commandments are referred to hundreds of times all throughout both the old and new testaments.

So, throughout the season of Lent, be attentive to references of the Commandments in the daily readings. As you hear the Commandments referred to, ponder how God wants you to apply them in your daily life to become “Holy in all things” during this season of Lent. Re-consider the Ten Commandments. Re-learn them. Re-focus your life and recommit to ordering your life according to the Commandments, living in the covenant of love and in God’s glory as a simple recipe for becoming “Holy in all things”.

March 7 Leviticus 19: 1-2, 11-18

The LORD said to Moses, Speak to the whole assembly of the children of Israel and tell them: Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy. You shall not steal. You shall not lie or speak falsely to one another. You shall not swear falsely by my name, thus profaning the name of your God. I am the LORD. You shall not defraud or rob your neighbor. You shall not withhold overnight the wages of your day laborer. You shall not curse the deaf, or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but you shall fear your God. I am the LORD. You shall not act dishonestly in rendering judgment. Show neither partiality to the weak nor deference to the mighty, but judge your fellow men justly. You shall not go about spreading slander among your kin; nor shall you stand by idly when your neighbor’s life is at stake. I am the LORD. You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart. Though you may have to reprove him, do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

March 14 Daniel – Chapter 9

Lord, great and awesome God, you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you and observe your commandments! We have sinned, been wicked and done evil; we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws.

We have not obeyed your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers, and all the people of the land. Justice, O Lord, is on your side; we are shamefaced even to this day: we, the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem, and all Israel, near and far, in all the countries to which you have scattered them because of their treachery toward you.

O LORD, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers, for having sinned against you. But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness! Yet we rebelled against you and paid no heed to your command, O LORD, our God, to live by the law you gave us through your servants the prophets.”

To dive deeper in your knowledge of learning and living the 10 Commandments on a daily basis in order to experience true joy and freedom, visit our 10 Commandments Page that corresponds to each of the 10 Commandments.