In his weekly catechisis on Wednesday, Pope Francis concluded his reflections on the Ten Commandments.
He said in the 'light of Christ' the Decalogue should not be treated as a series of rules. Instead it is a guide to authentic human life which brings 'love, joy and peace' in obedience to God's will.
The pope further stressed how Christ came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. He said the Holy Spirit enables one to 'abandon sin and to be conformed to Jesus’ own heart.'
Pope Francis added that the Ten Commandments invites one to first enter into a 'faithful and loving relationship with God our Father,'; and to reject false idols that enslave. After this, the Commandments then teach one how to 'live redeemed lives' of 'fidelity, integrity and honesty towards our neighbor.'
He concluded by saying that in accepting God's offer of saving love one finds their 'true selves and the source of a joy that will never end.'
SUMMARY OF POPE'S CATECHISIS IN ENGLISH
Dear brothers and sisters,
In this, our final catechesis on the Ten Commandments, we reflect on how, in the light of Christ, the Decalogue should be seen not as a series of rules, but rather the guide to an authentic human life that comes to fulfillment in the love, joy and peace born of obedience to the Father’s will.
Our Lord came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. The Holy Spirit, by enabling us to live a new life in Christ, takes away our hearts of flesh and opens them to the holy desire to abandon sin and to be conformed to Jesus’ own heart, his love and his desires.
The Ten Commandments invite us first to enter into a faithful and loving relationship with God our Father, to reject every false idol that enslaves us, and to find our authentic rest in the freedom of Christ and the Holy Spirit. They then teach us how to live redeemed lives, marked by fidelity, integrity and honesty towards our neighbor.
The commandments show us the face of Christ and open the door to the new life of grace; by accepting God’s offer of saving love, we find our true selves and the source of a joy that will never end.
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially those from England, Australia and the United States of America. Upon all of you, and your families, I invoke the Lord’s blessings of joy and peace. God bless you!
