348 IF YOU WOULD ENTER LIFE, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS

YOUCAT Lesson 348

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

Section Two—The Ten Commandments

348  “Teacher, what…must I do to have eternal life?”  (Matthew 19:16)

Jesus says, “If you would enter life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17).  Then he adds, “and come, follow me”(Matthew 19:21).  [2052-2054, 2075-2076]

Rhinelander Food Pantry Thursdays' Stocking Crew. …..248

Christianity is more than a correct life and keeping the commandments.  Being a Christian is a living relationship to Jesus.  A Christian unites himself deeply and personally with the Lord and with him sets out on the way that leads to true life.

“Christ does not want admirers but followers.”  Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855)

“Most people do not suspect what God could make out of them if they would only place themselves at his disposal.”  St. Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)

[2052-2054, 2075-2076]

PART THREE
LIFE IN CHRIST

SECTION TWO
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

"Teacher, what must I do . . .?"

2052 "Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" To the young man who asked this question, Jesus answers first by invoking the necessity to recognize God as the "One there is who is good," as the supreme Good and the source of all good. Then Jesus tells him: "If you would enter life, keep the commandments." And he cites for his questioner the precepts that concern love of neighbor: "You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother." Finally Jesus sums up these commandments positively: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."( Matthew 19:16-19.)¹ –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

2053 To this first reply Jesus adds a second: "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."( Matthew 19:21.)² This reply does not do away with the first: following Jesus Christ involves keeping the Commandments. The Law has not been abolished,( Compare Matthew 5:17.)³ but rather man is invited to rediscover it in the person of his Master who is its perfect fulfillment. In the three synoptic Gospels, Jesus' call to the rich young man to follow him, in the obedience of a disciple and in the observance of the Commandments, is joined to the call to poverty and chastity.( Compare Mt 19:6-12,21,23-29.)⁴ The evangelical counsels are inseparable from the Commandments. –CCC

2054 Jesus acknowledged the Ten Commandments, but he also showed the power of the Spirit at work in their letter. He preached a "righteousness [which] exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees"( Matthew 5:20.)⁵ as well as that of the Gentiles.( Compare Matthew 5:46-47.)⁶ He unfolded all the demands of the Commandments. "You have heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You shall not kill.' . . . But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment."( Matthew 5:21-22)⁷ –CCC

IN BRIEF
2075 "What good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" - "If you would enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matthew 19:16-17). –CCC

2076 By his life and by his preaching Jesus attested to the permanent validity of the Decalogue. --CCC