The Ten Commandments – Revived

Two similar versions of the Ten Commandments are found in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. And in Exodus 34 a different version is offered as a renewed covenant. In addition, most people are probably unaware that the Ten Commandments recited by Catholics differs from the Protestant list. Two  examples: keeping holy the Sabbath is number 3 for Catholics; number 4 for Protestants. honoring father and mother is number 4 for Catholics; number 5 for Protestants. Therefore, we could say that the Commandments are not written in stone (no pun intended!) Therefore, I offer you this revived and relevant for 2020 version.

The Ten Commandments: Know This Today

1. I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt have no gods besides me.

Know this today: I am your God, your Creator. I love all equally. Do not assume any privilege based on power, gender, or skin color.

2. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.

Know this today: Do not speak of Covid-19 as my plan to change the world, in spite of the fact that the world is in need of change. But  I will never leave you during this struggle and will work with you to make a better world.

3. Keep holy the Sabbath day.

Know this today:  Be aware of God’s holy presence in all of God’s creation; respect the sacredness of our earthly home; stop the work and denial of destruction.

4. Honor thy father and mother.

Know this today: Be grateful for those who save lives and provide us with the scientific knowledge to protect our own lives and those of our neighbors

5. Thou shalt not kill.

Know this today: Thou shalt not kill the innocent or the guilty based on racism. Justifiable punishment for serious crime does not include capital punishment. And war is never the right answer.

6. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Know this today: All bodies are temples of the holy; therefore sexual abuse, exclusion based on sexism, gender or sexual identity, prejudice or xenophobia are forbidden.

7. Thou shalt not steal.

Know this today: Justice for all includes health care, fair and just wages, education, food, and housing; otherwise, the poor are robbed of their dignity.

8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Know this today: Thou shalt be courageous in speaking truth to power, whether it be to civil or religious authorities

9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s spouse.

Know this today: Love accepts and listens to those whose views can challenge us to grow in openness to others.

10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.

Know this today: Thou shalt not dismiss the God-given talents and gifts nor the rights of equality based on the false superiority of one gender or race over another.

Adult believers continue to search for the God who calls us to grow in the face of moral challenges. I hope these “new ” Ten Commandments will inspire faith and hope in the moral choices demanded of us today.