a) What are the Ten Commandments?
The Ten Commandments were given by God to the Chosen People through Moses. They are:
i. I am the Lord your God; you shall not have strange gods before me.
ii. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
iii. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day.
iv. Honor your father and your mother.
v. You shall not kill.
vi. You shall not commit adultery.
vii: You shall not steal.
viii: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
ix. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.
x. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.
These Ten Commandments have been summed up by Jesus Christ into the Two Commandments of Love:
i: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind (this summarizes the first three commandments).
ii: You shall love your neighbor as yourself (this summarizes the rest of the commandments).
b) Why should the Altar Server study the Ten Commandments?
These commandments guide our relationship with God and our neighbors. They do not limit our freedom, but rather help us to become better persons.
God’s grace enables us to follow his commandments despite our weakness, brought about by original sin. If at times we find it difficult to observe them, we should not be discouraged, but ask help from God, our Mother Mary, the saints, and our Guardian Angel.