Sometimes, Lent calls us to return to the basics. An example would be: “Why do we follow the Ten Commandments?” We follow them because Christ Himself followed them and because He told others to follow them! We also follow them because they were given to us by God. In the book of Exodus, we read how God Himself gave these Commandments to the Israelites through the help of Moses. However there is more to following the Ten Commandments than just because “God told us to.”
We obey God’s commands because God loves us! God loves us and loves us perfectly, therefore we can always trust in His Word. God created us out of love, which is a big reason for our trust that God always knows what is best for us.
In giving us the Ten Commandments, God is not trying to take away our fun or our freedom. Instead He is showing us how we were meant to live. So, how were we meant to live? We were meant to live in a loving relationship with both God and each other. While there are 10 Commandments in total, they really boil down to these two things: loving God and loving each other (Matthew 22,37-40).
Here is an important Lenten lesson: far from limiting our freedom and taking away our fun, the Commands of the Lord will always bring us life! Imagine how much better the world would be if everyone kept them. There would be no murders, no thefts, no broken families, no wars. The Commandments lead to a fulfilled life here on earth and, more importantly, it leads to everlasting life in the fulness of God’s Kingdom. When a man asked Jesus what he had to do to have eternal life, He told him ‘If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Matthew 19,16-19).
Let us pray. “O God, lead us to find enjoyment and fulfillment in our lives today, in all the circumstances in which you place us, and with the people whom you entrust to us. Inspire us to seek first your kingdom, to live joyfully in your presence, to obey your Commands, and to grow in your image and likeness. Empower us with your Spirit that we may transform our lives and be credible witnesses of your love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
