Apr 27, 2024

The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments, carved into stone on Mount Sinai (Exodus 20:1-17), are Godโ€™s enduring giftโ€”a roadmap to love Him and others with our whole lives. For Catholic professionals, theyโ€™re both a spiritual anchor and a practical guide, shaping our hearts in prayer and our hands in the workplace. Letโ€™s dive deeper into their wisdom and see how they speak to us today.

The Commandments: Timeless Wisdom for Today

  1. I am the Lord your God; you shall have no other gods before Me.

    God claims first place, above all rivalsโ€”wealth, power, or even our own egos. Exodus 20:3 isnโ€™t just about pagan statues; itโ€™s about what rules our hearts. In a career-driven world, this might mean choosing Sunday Mass over a networking brunch or pausing for a morning prayer instead of diving straight into emails. Itโ€™s a quiet rebellion against the gods of productivity, rooting us in the One who matters most.

  2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

    Godโ€™s name is sacred, a gift not to be tossed around lightly (Exodus 20:7). This goes beyond avoiding cursesโ€”itโ€™s about honoring His presence in every word. At work, itโ€™s resisting the urge to vent frustration with a flippant โ€œOh my God,โ€ instead speaking with the reverence youโ€™d show in church. The Psalms call His name a โ€œstrong towerโ€ (Psalm 61:3)โ€”treat it that way, even under deadline stress.

  3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.

    God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2-3), and so should weโ€”setting it apart for worship and renewal (Exodus 20:8-11). For the professional, this isnโ€™t just a suggestion; itโ€™s a lifeline. Skip the urge to answer emails on Sundayโ€”go to Mass, share a meal with loved ones, or walk in silence. The Catechism (CCC 2184) calls it a โ€œprotest against the servitude of work.โ€ Itโ€™s trusting God enough to let go of control one day a week.

  4. Honor your father and mother.

    Respect for parents, Godโ€™s first gift to us, extends to all rightful authority (Exodus 20:12). St. Paul ties this to a promise: โ€œthat your days may be longโ€ (Ephesians 6:2-3). In the office, itโ€™s listening to a seasoned colleagueโ€™s advice, thanking a mentor who paved your way, or calling your parents after a long week. Itโ€™s not blind obedience but a posture of humility, recognizing the roots that hold you up.

  5. You shall not kill.

    Life is Godโ€™s masterpiece, inviolable from womb to tomb (Exodus 20:13). Jesus ramps this up in Matthew 5:21-22โ€”anger and insults are murderโ€™s cousins. Professionally, itโ€™s more than not harming physically; itโ€™s killing off bitternessโ€”refusing to trash-talk a rival or snap at a slow teammate. Instead, offer a word that builds life, like a thank-you note or a patient ear. Every personโ€™s dignity reflects Godโ€™s image.

  6. You shall not commit adultery.

    Marriage mirrors Godโ€™s faithful love, and this command protects it (Exodus 20:14). Jesus deepens itโ€”lust is adultery of the heart (Matthew 5:27-28). At work, itโ€™s staying true to your spouse (or future spouse) in thought and actionโ€”sidestepping flirtations or compromising situations. Itโ€™s also about fidelity to commitments: donโ€™t โ€œcheatโ€ on your values for a quick win. Purity isnโ€™t just personal; itโ€™s professional integrity too.

  7. You shall not steal.

    God gives; we donโ€™t take (Exodus 20:15). This covers more than walletsโ€”time, credit, resources count too. In the workplace, itโ€™s paying employees fairly, not skimping on hours, or giving a nod to the coworker whose idea sparked yours. The early Church shared everything (Acts 2:44-45)โ€”imagine that generosity flipping the script on a cutthroat culture. Stealing hoards; faith trusts thereโ€™s enough.

  8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

    Truth is Godโ€™s language; lies fracture His world (Exodus 20:16). Proverbs 12:22 says, โ€œLying lips are an abomination to the Lord.โ€ At your desk, itโ€™s owning a mistake instead of blaming the intern, or keeping promises even when itโ€™s inconvenient. Online, itโ€™s resisting the urge to exaggerate your LinkedIn profile. Truth isnโ€™t just about accuracyโ€”itโ€™s about trust, the glue of every team.

  9. You shall not covet your neighborโ€™s wife.

    This guards the heart against lust, seeing others as persons, not prizes (Exodus 20:17). Jesus calls us to purity of intention (Matthew 5:8). In a professional setting, itโ€™s rejecting objectificationโ€”maybe skipping crude jokes at the water cooler or redirecting a wandering thought about a colleague. Itโ€™s work as worship, honoring God by honoring His creation in everyone around you.

  10. You shall not covet your neighborโ€™s goods.
    Envy poisons peace; gratitude restores it (Exodus 20:17). St. Paul urges us to โ€œrejoice with those who rejoiceโ€ (Romans 12:15). Instead of resenting a coworkerโ€™s raise, celebrate itโ€”and thank God for your own blessings, like a steady job or a supportive boss. Coveting chases shadows; this command points us to contentment, a rare treasure in a comparison-driven world.

A Catholic Lens

Jesus fulfills these laws with love (Matthew 5:17), splitting them into two: love God (1-3), love neighbor (4-10). The Catechism (CCC 2052-2557) shows their depthโ€”sin breaks them, grace heals us. Confession wipes the slate clean; the Eucharist fuels us to live them out. Theyโ€™re not a burden but a bridge to Godโ€™s heart.

Why They Matter Now

In an age of โ€œdo what feels good,โ€ the Commandments stand like bedrock. They free us from chaosโ€”greed, betrayal, exhaustionโ€”inviting us into order and purpose. The seventh, for instance, isnโ€™t just โ€œdonโ€™t swipeโ€โ€”itโ€™s a call to fairness in contracts or generosity in tips, reflecting Godโ€™s justice.

A Path to True Success

The Ten Commandments are Godโ€™s voice, not a relicโ€”calling us to love with abandon, in spirit and action. St. John Paul II said, โ€œThey liberate us for the fullness of life.โ€ At your desk or in your pew, theyโ€™re your guide to thriving.

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