Our Lady of the Holy Rosary — St. Richard Catholic Church

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary-St. Richard Catholic Church

March 25, 2018 - Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

THE SECOND COMMANDMENT: REVERENCE GOD'S NAME*

What does your name mean? Do you take offense when people do not acknowledge your name, or fail to call you by your correct name, or make fun of your name?

Everyone’s name is important. We honor the dignity of persons by using their name with respect. God’s name obviously deserves the highest honor and respect.

The Second Commandment states:

     You shall not take the name of the LORD, your God, in vain (Ex 20:7)

While standing at the burning bush, Moses asked what is God’s name. God replied, “I AM WHO I AM…,” which is transliterated from Hebrew as “YHWH” and pronounced “Yahweh.” (Ex 3:14). The Hebrews treated God’s name with such respect that they did not speak it. Only once a year, at the festival of the atonement, was the high priest permitted to utter this name in the Holy of Holies of the Temple. Out of reverence, the people substituted the name Adonai, which means “Lord.” In most Christian bibles, “YHWH” is translated as “LORD.”

The Second Commandment requires us to reverence 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” (CCC, no. 2142). This Commandment calls us to acknowledge and preserve the difference between our Creator God and God’s creation and creatures, including humans. God calls us and our name is sacred. In Baptism, we are initiated into the Church “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” We are sanctified by God’s name and immersed in the very life of the Holy Trinity. We may also receive the name of a patron saint, a disciple of Christ who has led an exemplary life, to remind us of our call to holiness and to intercede for us.

The Second Commandment forbids the improper use or misuse of God’s name. There are a variety of ways that this happens. Blasphemy consists “in uttering against God—inwardly or outwardly—words of hatred, reproach, or defiance” (CCC, no. 2148). This is gravely sinful. Our habitual disrespect of God, displayed in cursing, and even in the use of vulgar language, gives a bad example to others and can create an attitude that erodes our relationship with God.

This Commandment also forbids us from using God’s name to witness to perjury or false oath. Unfortunately, God’s name has been wrongfully used throughout history to justify wars, terrorism, slaughter of enemies, and to impose unwarranted power over others. The name of God must never be used to justify or support immoral acts. 

*U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults, Ch. 26.

 Reflect on Your Experience

When and how have you ever taken the LORD’s name in vain?

What ways do you follow to honor and respect the LORD’s name?

The Second Commandment" (Fr. Dan O'Reilly)

"Palm Sunday" (Bishop Robert Barron)

"Why Did Jesus Have to Die the Way He Did" (Bishop Robert Barron

"Name of the Lord" - CCC 2142-2167 (Fr. Daniel Mahan)

"Via Dolorosa" (Sandy Patty)

"Lead Me to the Cross" (Hillsong)

"In the Name of the Lord" (Sandy Patty)

"Holy is His Name" (John Michael Talbot)

"At the Cross" (Hillsong)

"Your Name" (Paul Baloche)

"The Four Stages of the Spiritual Journey" (Fr. Albert Haase)

"The Jewish Roots of Palm Sunday and the Passion" (Dr. Brant Pitre)

Triduum (USCCB)

If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at: aff@hrsrcs.org