Desire for true happiness frees man from his immoderate attachment to the goods of this world so that he can find his fulfillment in the vision and beatitude of God.
- CCC No. 2548
Reflection: Once you taste the true joy of the spiritual life and compare it with the passing happiness of transitory things, the commandments aren't as difficult. Lying, cheating, stealing, and adultery seem like an awful lot of trouble for anything less than true happiness.
Prayer: Jesus, teach us to desire true happiness.
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
By its very nature, lying is to be condemned. It is a profanation of speech, whereas the purpose of speech is to communicate known truth to others.
- CCC No. 2485
Reflection: The Catechism suggests that the whole point of speech organs is to pass on the truth to others. This does not rule out humor, son, or story, for the best of these contain deep abiding truths.
Prayer: Lord, may we always speak the truth in love.
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
Sexuality, in which man's belonging to the bodily and biological world is expressed, becomes personal and truly human when it is integrated into the relationship of one person to another, in the complete and lifelong mutual gift of a man and a woman.
- CCC No. 2337
Reflection: The sixth commandment ("You shall not commit adultery") protects the divine image in man, for to have sexual relations outside of marriage, that is, apart from a lifelong, exclusive relationship of one man and one woman, is an act that is offensive to the dignity of marriage and a grave sin.
Prayer: Father, teach us how to honor our bodies.
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
Everyone is responsible for his life before God who has given it to him. It is God who remains the sovereign Master of life...We are the Stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is not our to dispose of.
- CCC No. 2280
Reflection: The fifth commandment forbids suicide and other self-destructive and risky behavior. A culture that does not respect all forms of life will soon be a culture in which no life is sacred, even one's own.
Prayer: Lord, help us to form a culture of life in our world.
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
The fifth precept ("You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church") means that the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church, each according to his own ability.
- CCC No. 2043
Reflection: As more and more lay people take roles in the Church, there is less free labor in the form of priests and sisters to serve the people of God. This makes it more important than ever that parishioners support their parish "according to their ability."
Prayer: Father, make me a cheerful giver to the work of the Church.
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
The fourth precept ("You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church") ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts and help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.
- CCC No. 2043
Reflection: The fourth precept also underscores the importance of the Easter season and that we ought to prepare for it. The return of the Lenten fast is a yearly examination of our life and a chance to improve ourselves to better serve the risen Christ.
Prayer: Lord of the desert, help us to make use of the season of Lent.
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
The third precept ("You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season") guarantees as minimum the reception of the Lord's Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.
- CCC No. 2042
Reflection: Notice how the Church separates the reception of communion (at least once a year) from attending Mass (every week). Two points follow: first, we must be prepared to receive communion, and even if we aren't we still need to gather with the Church.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, sanctify your Church by the gift of the Eucharist.
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
