In The NT we are given a new commandment from The Father through Jesus Christ. What is this commandment and how does it apply to our everyday lives? Has this commandment been ignored or nullified via intellectualism throughout the ages?

-- Jean Bouchard (jeanb@cwk.imag.net), July 30, 2002

Answers

Jean,

I was just going to post an answer to your question, but I have to be honest with you:

I am becoming uncomfortable with your motives. You seem to be really knowledgeable, and you say that you went to a seminary for some years, yet you don't know the two commandments that Jesus gave us? Moreover, you don't realize that they weren't "new", but merely summed up the 10? I have a hard time taking your "intellectual" questions seriously. I hope you will understand.

In Christ.

-- Jake Huether (jake.huether@lamrc.com), July 30, 2002.

Jake,

Once again, Jean is pretending that he's our Sunday School teacher. He gives us our homework assignment (find the "eleventh" commandment), and then goes on the attack--implying that anyone who argues against Jean's posts has "ignored or nullified [the eleventh commandment] via intellectualism." Jean has, for some reason, tried to discredit others by calling them too "intellectual."

Well, the answers are:

1) John 13:34

2) Only by liberals who are afraid to defend Jesus' teachings and defend the truth of Jesus' unique divinity. This short quote sums up the answer:

"We will never know how many acts of cowardice have been motivated by the fear of appearing not sufficiently progressive."

Charles Paguy, 19th Century French Poet

Those who reject the Church's doctrines (moral and otherwise) are ignoring the "eleventh commandment." Watering down the teachings of Jesus Christ is contrary to the "eleventh commandment."

In Christ,

Mateo

-- (MattElFeo@netscape.net), July 30, 2002.

I am not going to answer this post, because every Catholic should know the answer to that. If one follows the two great commandments perfectly, then all else falls into place. That being said........

The reason I opened this post up, was because I have a little joke with my kids. The eleventh commandment is:

"Thou shalt not bear children unless thou art mean to them."

This is how it all started. My children (now ages 11, 10 & 8) are getting close to the age where they think they know what is best for them. So when they are told 'no' for something (such as not getting something they want, not being able to go somewhere they want to go, or not being able to do what they want to do versus what is good for them, etc.) they think I will change my stance if they say, "You're mean." They think that if they call me mean, it will upset me, and I will change my mind. Of course, they are mistaken; I always stand firm in my decisions with them, unless it is brought to my attention that I am wrong or my motives are selfish. Anyway, one day my two boys said this to me (again) after they were told 'no' for something, and I said real seriously, "Didn't they teach you the eleventh commandment in school?" Their eyes got so big and they just looked at each other. They said, "No, they didn't. We didn't know there was eleven commandments. What is it?" So I told them. The 8 year old fell for it, the eleven year old did not. Oh, well, it got the desired effect, and they rarely say that to me anymore. But when they do, I simply say...........

"Now remember the eleventh commandment."

They just laugh, roll their eyes, and amazingly enough, shut their mouths.

Isabel

-- Isabel (isabel1492@yahoo.com), July 30, 2002.

Only eleven? Geez, I thought it was fifteen, and that on the way down the mountain Moses fell down and shattered one of the tablets and just never mentioned the whole ordeal to anyone.

hmmmmm.... lol.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), July 30, 2002.

LOL, Emerald!

You know, fifteen does sound better. I am sure I could think up 4 more that my kids would just love. >:) I will start right away..... :)

-- Isabel (isabel1492@yahoo.com), July 30, 2002.

On a humorous vein someone said that Moses was the greatest sinner because he broke ALL TEN COMMANDMENTS.

And in the same joyful side: do you know who were the constipated people of the OT?

- Cain, becasue he wasn't ABLE...

- Moses, because he had to take two TABLETS

- Solomon, because he sat on the throne for 40 years!!!!

Enrique

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), July 31, 2002.

Mateo - Thank you for the quote of the French poet. Isabel - charming story.

I brought this thread forward as Fred's passing away affected my own brashness on the forum which I want to do away with. The net for me is real place as we do effect each other's emotions.

-- Jean Bouchard (jeanb@cwk.imag.net), July 31, 2002.

Jean,

Isn't the answer "to love your brother/neighbor as yourself" ? The first ten already stated to love God. But, then again, if you truly love God with all your heart and soul would you break any of the remaining 9 commandments? So, the 11th commandment would be?......the first, as in the first is the last? Wow, a circle.....hmmmm?

-- adamismyrelative (don'tknow@somewhere.com), August 05, 2002.