January 4, 2013 – Catechism 2056 – 2063

Ten words.  I don’t know the first time I heard this called the ten words.  It is obviously more than ten words long.  The first time I heard a similar phrase was in a talk on the seven words of Christ from the cross.  I thought the same thing then.  There are obviously more than seven words.  So the word “word” means an item or sentence or group of words.  I don’t know exactly what it means.  In both cases, some of the words are very short and some are longer. 

God gave this to them between a proposal and the conclusion of the covenant.  Even here, even though they are called commandments, God does not force them on Israel.  They make the commitment to follow them.  It must always be remembered that when you choose to follow God, you are committing yourself to His rules.  It is curious how many say they truly want to follow God but then refuse to follow His rules.  Part of the covenant is agreeing to obey and keep God’s commands.

I think it is interesting to reflect on the fact that the commandments are written to “you” and not in the third person.  That makes it a very personal commitment.  It also goes to establish the very personal and individual relationship that God wants with each of us.  The commands aren’t written like our laws today stating a person this or he or she that.  It says you this and you that.  You can’t read it without applying it to yourself and once you accept it, you can’t escape it.