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

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

May 20, 2018 - PENTECOST

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SAFE RELEASE OF LEAH SHARIBU AND OTHERS WHO ARE HELD CAPTIVE BECAUSE THEY REFUSE TO RENOUNCE THEIR CHRISTIAN FAITH

THE TENTH COMMANDMENT: EMBRACE POVERTY OF SPIRIT*

What things do you desire that other persons have?

The Tenth Commandment “unfolds and completes the ninth….it forbids the coveting of goods of another, as the root of  theft, robbery, and fraud, which the seventh forbids...The tenth commandment concerns intentions of the heart” (CCC, no. 2534).

Our first step on the way to happiness and joy begins with a healthy detachment from material goods. As Jesus warned:

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be” (Mt 6:19-21)

The Seventh Commandment that we previously discussed concerns the visible acts of stealing and injustice. The Tenth Commandment calls us to extinguish those interior desires of greed and envy of others that can lead us to seek to acquire all the money and possessions we can, to steal from others and to act unjustly.

The Tenth Commandment calls us to practice poverty of spirit and generosity of heart that can free us from being slaves to money and possessions. We are called to adopt a simplicity of life that can free us from enslavement to consumerism.

We are called to humility, to thanksgiving for all the gifts and talents God has given to us, trusting in and surrendering to God’s providence and good will which frees us from anxiety about tomorrow and allows our minds, hearts, and actions to be led by the Holy Spirit. We are called to be good stewards of God’s gift of creation, to recognize God as the origin of life, the giver of freedom, and the source of all good. Through joyful appreciation for the wonder and beauty of creation, we use our particular God-given gifts and talents, in collaboration with others, caring for and cultivating the world, protecting and preserving the environment, and respecting the inherent dignity of all human life.

We are also called to be stewards of the Church through nurturing and educating our children in the faith, helping to make our parish a vibrant community of faith and source of service to the larger community, and in being generous with our time, talent, money, and prayers—according to our resources—to our parish, diocese, universal Church, and others.

As good stewards we seek to model the life and teachings of Jesus. We have truth and hope that “all things work for good for those who love God” (Rom. 2:28).
 
* U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults, Ch. 34.

 Reflect on Your Experience

What causes you to envy what others have?

How do you use the gifts and talents your are given in
service of your Parish, diocese, universal Church and
others?

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

"The Ten Commandments" (Bishop Robert Barron)

Coveting Neighbor's Goods" - CCC 2534-2557 (Fr. Daniel Mahan)

"Still"

"Through It All"

"You Are My Hiding Place"

"Catholic Commentary: The Tenth Commandment"

"Thou Shall Not Covet: Avoiding Greed and Envy" (Bishop Thomas Olmstead)

"The Seventh and Tenth Commandments" (Peter Kreeft, Ph.D.)

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