Commandments

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. (Transcription) Tape 5B:50 12/92 Our next meditation is on the Fourth Commandment of the Decalogue and more specifically on obedience. The Old Testament precept does not directly use the word obey, it rather reads in Deuteronomy 20:12, “Honor your father and mother so that you may have a long […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. (Transcription) You may be surprised at our next master theme. It will come in two parts. It is, if you please, on the Ten commandments. In the present conference, we will look on the Ten commandments as they are found in the Old Testament, and in our next conference […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. (Transcription) Our theme as you know is the Decalogue, or the Ten Commandments. We wish in the present meditation to reflect on the Ten Commandments, but as found in the New Covenant since Christ. In today’s world, which in one country after another widespread disobedience is almost the pattern […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. (Transcription) Our present meditation is on the Second Commandment and even more specifically on vocal prayer. Although the Second Commandment of the Decalogue like the first is a negative prohibition in the Old Testament, “You shall not use the name of the Lord your God in vain.” However, the […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. (Transcription) (?)…of to use the verb glory to God, but in the Church’s understanding, vows are to be somehow expressed in speech, in spoken or written or otherwise sensibly perceptible form; vows are to be witnessed. Vows are to be somehow expressed and there will be a permanent record […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. (Transcription) What someone has belongs to that person. Injustice is enriching myself at the cost of impoverishing somebody else; but, someone has much more than I do. Pardon me, so what! Behind that “so what” stands the history of the human race in constant conflict between people who have […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. (Transcription) Our present meditation is on sacrifice. This is our final reflection on the First Commandant of the Decalogue. This is also the highest form of obedience to the first precept of God. It is also the most perfect form of worship of the one true God. Given the […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. (Transcription) Of all subjects for a retreat I don’t think you’re expecting this one: The Ten Commandments and Christian Sanctity. It must be the most unusual title for a retreat: The Ten Commandments and Christian Sanctity. What is strange about the title is the combination of Ten Commandments and […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. (Transcription) Our present meditation is on consecrated poverty. When God became man He divinized everything in human nature. Since the incarnation, the human race is no longer the same. Mankind took on a superhuman dignity and human conduct took on what we casually call a supernatural sublimity. Remember, Christ […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. (Transcription) Our present meditation is on the third precept of the Decalogue. Surprisingly, the Third Commandment comes in three parts. First of all, it prescribes work for six days a week. Secondly, it prescribes the sanctification of what was called the Sabbath in the Old Law and Sunday in […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. (Transcription) It’s a misnomer. It’s preoccupation with self, let me tell you. “Holy” people, but I put the word holy in quotations marks; holy people can be selfish, in case nobody told you. The apostolate is the duty we have to bring others to heaven. I never tire repeating, […]