Reverence is the virtue. We should give God the
highest possible honor, but we fail in this if we reduce his name to the commonplace, or worse to cursing.
In 1846, Virgin Mary made an apparition in La Salette
France; her purpose was to remind the people to avoid violations of the second and third commandments. She
also told them of the terrible consequences they would inflict upon themselves by failing to do so.
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day.
The original commandment simply prohibited work
on the Sabbath day. This is the first of the legitimate exclusion laws, by which some legitimate food or activity
is avoided purely as a dedication to God. Such laws have
no practical value, their value was much higher, it was religious.
The basis of the third commandment is religious
dedication. We make acts which have little worldly value; their value and effect is derived from our dedicated participation in God. Biblical and canonical laws regarding holy days of obligation, fasting and abstinence bring great benefit to our world, starting with ourselves. Additional voluntary acts of dedication bring that much more peace,
joy and prosperity to creation.
Most Catholics are unaware of it, but the current code
of canon law (1251), requires abstinence from meat on all
Fridays of the year, (solemnities excluded). This sacrifice is very small, but great in its spiritual benefits to our world.
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As any person draws nearer to God, all others do as well, because of the communal nature of creation.51
4. Honor your father and your mother.
This applies mostly to children, that they obey their
father and mother, who are assigned by God to direct them until adulthood. The duty of lawful obedience is the virtue here; every legitimate rule, law or supervisor must be obeyed. Personal and social justice has its roots in just laws. Most laws have legal or moral exceptions of course, and any person acting is required to exercise good judgment.