Chapter 42nd Commandment

“You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God.”

Introduction

God confides his name to those to believe in him.

The gift of a name indicates trust and intimacy.

Introduction

Thus, we must not abuse this name, but keep it in mind in silent, loving adoration - introduce it into our own speech to bless, praise, & glorify.

This commandment may seem puzzling - many think it simply forbids cursing, vulgarities, and other violations of etiquette.

There is Power in Language

In Genesis Ch.1, God creates by speaking.

God brought the animals to Adam to be named – Adam then had dominion over them.

There is Power in Language

Parents name their children.

We show respect for elders or superiors by called them by their title and last name, rather than the familiarity of just using their first name.

There is Power in Language

Think about how important it is to know someone’s name.

And what it feels like to forget that name when you have to introduce this person to someone else.

There is Power in Language

Why did your parents choose your name?

God Entrusts His Name to Moses

I AM WHO AM

This is an unexpected invitation to intimacy, a show of trust that is not to be betrayed.

The Law of Christ: Moral Theology for Priests &

Laity by Bernard Haring, CSSR

Names God is called in the Bible: Yahweh- proper name for God

in the Jewish scriptures, from the Hebrew verb “to be”

God is our Mighty-Helper

Prophetic names of the MessiahEmmanuel (God-With-Us)Wonder-CounsellorGod-HeroFather-ForeverPrince of Peace Jesus

All the Prophetic Names of the Old Testament

Point to the providential offerof God’s tender care and lovefor all people.

BUT

The Climax of the Revelation of God’s Name

Comes Through Jesus Christ

Jesus the Good ShepherdHe knows and

calls his sheep “by name”.

The name is a basis of a new relationship, of independence, and protection.

“I know my sheep & they know me.”

Honoring God’s Name

Recognizing the depth of love of God for us and holding it dear.

“Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”.

To call upon the name of the Lord means to place oneself under the protection and dominion of the name of the Lord.

Misuse of the Holy Name

Ranging from profane language (using the name “in vain” to diabolic disdain or scorn for it).

The sin of “vain use” of holy names, often called profane language, is a venial sin.

Misuse of the Holy Name

It is more malicious to use God’s name in vain as an expression or manifestation of emotions which are in themselves disordered and sinful (feelings of vexation & impatience, unrestrained or unjust anger).

Dishonoring God’s name needs to be challenged.

Speaking the Truth

The 2nd commandment highlights the sin of perjury.

We commit perjury when we make a promise under oath & either do not intend to keep it or simply fail to do so.

Speaking the Truth Perjury is an offense

against this commandment because of the nature of an oath.

Oath: swearing – with God as our witness – to the truth of what we say.

Definitions

Yahweh – proper name for God in the Jewish scriptures, from the Hebrew word “to be”

Providential – pertaining to God’s all-knowing & loving ordering of events

Passion – Jesus’ suffering after the Last Supper leading up to his death

Definitions

Inculpable – without blame or guilt

Profane - mundane and ordinary; not set aside for holy purposes; irreverent or contemptuous of God.

Venial Sin – a less serious sin (compared to a mortal sin)

Definitions

Censure – official disapproval or condemnation

Malicious - deliberately harmfulVexation - irritation or annoyanceMinutiae – minor or trivial detailsNarcissist – one who feels

excessive self-love

In Our Imageby Matt McDonald

We take God’s name in vain when we suggest to others that we have a complete understanding of who God is and what God wants others to do.

Instead, we need to have greater humility & accept that God is mystery.

Taking God’s Name in Vain

Because of lack to a physical image of God, we create an idea of what he looks like.(e.g. “an old gray haired man”)

People in the past have manipulated His word to justify murder, racism, misogyny (hatred of or hostility to women), & innumerable other sins.

Taking God’s Name in Vain

To come to a clear understanding of the person of God, we have to consider that perhaps we have made God out in our minds to be something that He is not.

God is who He is regardless of what we think of Him – we are lacking in humility to think otherwise.

God is Revealed in History

Especially Through Jesus Christ

God has entrusted to the Church that revelation to safeguard & interpret in light of new questions & issues that face us.

God is Revealed in History

Especially Through Jesus Christ

What we must keep in tension is our belief in this authentic revelation & the realization that all language about God is analogous language & metaphor.

God’s AwesomenessJust as a

sculpture cannot understand the artist, we can never fully understand God.

God’s Awesomeness

God’s AwesomenessOur attempts

at talking about the awesomeness of God will forever fall short of capturing God.

God’s AwesomenessWe need humility, reverence

and awe when we call upon the name of God.

SPELLING awesome censure dominion Emmanuel glorify intimacy irreverent malicious Messiah

mundane narcissist perjury praise profane prophetic vain Yahweh