Back in the day I taught RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation for Children ). It is called something else now. I enjoyed it so much that I tried substitute teaching in public schools. I failed at that. I can still remember how I taught the class where to find the Ten Commandments. Simple I said. “Take Exit 20 off the Interstate…..Exodus Chapter 20.” This chapter is repeated in the Book of Deuteronomy Chapter 5. I now quote from Deuteronomy 5:9-10″ …you shall not bow down before them or serve them. For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, bringing punishment for their parents’ wickedness on the children of those who hate me, down to the third and fourth generation, but showing love down to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
It is hard to think of God who is perfect being jealous. What is obvious is that if someone is jealous they love. Yes, God loves us. He gave us these rules to live and thrive. That is what the Ten Commandments are. They are rules of love. They are not so much “thou shalt not’s” but keys to the love of God and successful love between God and us.
In the class we made a game of how to remember the Commandments. We had prizes and when it came time for their First Reconciliation the class was ready. We did not go into detail on 6 and 9. My Church at Saint Mary’s gives many opportunities on the weekend and during the week to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation. Thank God to many retired priests. However, examination of conscience is something we do every day and every second of the day.
Jesus is reminding us in the Gospel that merely listening to scripture is not enough. We must live the scripture in our daily lives. The one who received the seed in thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this world and the lure of riches choke the word and so he produces nothing. And the one who received the seed in rich soil is the man who hears the word and understands it; he is the one who yields a harvest and produces now a hundredfold, now sixty, now thirty.’
In our relationship to those we love on Earth and more importantly in our relationship to the Blessed Trinity we don’t say we love them enough. Still we do things for them. Humans may never appreciate our efforts, but we show God that we love him anytime we follow His Commandments.
Did you ever think of yourself as a love child?
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Please Pray for Cancer victims and their caregivers. Pray for the conversion of Russia and the salvation of the Ukrainian and Russian people and their soldiers. Pray for peace!
