The Ten Commandments
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Note:   This is a blog series on The Ten Commandments, (unless Bishop Perry has something to say in-between) and excerpts from the Catholic Catechism on how this relates to 'Living the Goodness of a Catholic Man'.  
 
Part of the CMCS mission is teaching the fundamentals of the Catholic Faith:  We all have our vices and temptations, and they all come down to how we view and practice the basic teachings of the faith as a Catholic man. 
 
I hope this blog series will help you reflect on both the commandments and the Catechism so that you may be renewed to grow more in holiness as a Catholic man. 
 
Frank J Casella
CMCS Co-founder & Executive Director
 
 
PS. Thank you to the men who have let us know how helpful this blog series has been for them. Remember, the fastest way to success is to replace bad habits with good habits. 
 
You Shall Not Steal
By Frank J Casella
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Photo: 'Chicago Morning Commute' - Copyright 2012 Frank J Casella All Rights Reserved.
 
The Seventh Commandment: You shall not steal.
 
2401 The seventh commandment forbids unjustly taking or keeping the goods of one's neighbor and wronging him in any way with respect to his goods. It commands justice and charity in the care of earthly goods and the fruits of men's labor. For the sake of the common good, it requires respect for the universal destination of goods and respect for the right to private property. Christian life strives to order this world's goods to God and to fraternal charity.
 

IN BRIEF:
 
2450 "You shall not steal" (Ex 20:15; Deut 5:19). "Neither thieves, nor the greedy . . ., nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor 6:10).
2451 The seventh commandment enjoins the practice of justice and charity in the administration of earthly goods and the fruits of men's labor.
2452 The goods of creation are destined for the entire human race. The right to private property does not abolish the universal destination of goods.
2453 The seventh commandment forbids theft. Theft is the usurpation of another's goods against the reasonable will of the owner.
2454 Every manner of taking and using another's property unjustly is contrary to the seventh commandment. The injustice committed requires reparation. Commutative justice requires the restitution of stolen goods.
2455 The moral law forbids acts which, for commercial or totalitarian purposes, lead to the enslavement of human beings, or to their being bought, sold or exchanged like merchandise.
2456 The dominion granted by the Creator over the mineral, vegetable, and animal resources of the universe cannot be separated from respect for moral obligations, including those toward generations to come.
2457 Animals are entrusted to man's stewardship; he must show them kindness. They may be used to serve the just satisfaction of man's needs.
2458 The Church makes a judgment about economic and social matters when the fundamental rights of the person or the salvation of souls requires it. She is concerned with the temporal common good of men because they are ordered to the sovereign Good, their ultimate end.
2459 Man is himself the author, center, and goal of all economic and social life. The decisive point of the social question is that goods created by God for everyone should in fact reach everyone in accordance with justice and with the help of charity.
2460 The primordial value of labor stems from man himself, its author and beneficiary. By means of his labor man participates in the work of creation. Work united to Christ can be redemptive.
2461 True development concerns the whole man. It is concerned with increasing each person's ability to respond to his vocation and hence to God's call (cf. CA 29).
2462 Giving alms to the poor is a witness to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.
2463 How can we not recognize Lazarus, the hungry beggar in the parable (cf. Lk 17:19-31), in the multitude of human beings without bread, a roof or a place to stay? How can we fail to hear Jesus: "As you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me" (Mt 25:45)?
 
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If we are compelled by the Spirit, we will have the wisdom to speak and act in effective ways as a Christian. The same Holy Spirit that empowered Peter to charge the people who condemned Jesus is available to us.  If we truly believe, is it possible that we can keep silent about what we have seen and heard?
 
May we today pray for the boldness to preach by our words and actions the signs of God’s reign among us.  We can strive in our dealings to be nonviolent in word and deed. We can extend compassion to the poor.  We can practice neighborly regard in Christian ways to people because all are redeemed by the blood of the Jesus we love and admire.
 
Some years back, I remember a saying printed on cards that could fit in your wallet or purse.  And the saying went like this:  “Should it ever happen that you are arrested for being a Christian and hauled into court, would there be enough evidence to convict you!”   This was the mantra of many a saint and Christian martyr before us.
 
Put another way, the first letter of Peter in the New Testament says it this way:  “Have reverence for Christ in your hearts and honor him as Lord.  Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect.  Keep your conscience clear so that when you are insulted those who speak evil of your good conduct as followers of Christ will become ashamed of what they say.”  (3, 15-16)
 
 
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Reference: The Ten Commandments from USCCB
 
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