Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Taking the Lord's Name in Vain

I've been saddened lately by how often people use the Lord's name in vain. There is of course an interesting contradiction going on when an agnostic or non-believer uses God's name in vain; they are literally making some sort of exclamation for exclamation's sake. What is even more paradoxical and saddening is when those in the Faith use the Lord's name in vain because it reveals a practical atheism, a lack of conversion, and a shallow sense of God's majesty. When we see that the name of the Lord evokes His infinite presence, and the greater sense we have of His presence, the more reverently we will use His name. The most saddening thing is to see believers speak of sacred things in a purely trivial way, such as the Sanctus or the Blessed Mother. The following are excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

2142 The second commandment prescribes respect for the Lord’s name. Like the first commandment, it belongs to the virtue of religion and more particularly it governs our use of speech in sacred matters. 
2143 Among all the words of Revelation, there is one which is unique: the revealed name of God. God confides his name to those who believe in him; he reveals himself to them in his personal mystery. The gift of a name belongs to the order of trust and intimacy. “The Lord’s name is holy.” For this reason man must not abuse it. He must keep it in mind in silent, loving adoration. He will not introduce it into his own speech except to bless, praise, and glorify it.... 
2146 The second commandment forbids the abuse of God’s name, i.e., every improper use of the names of God, Jesus Christ, but also of the Virgin Mary and all the saints.... 
2155 The holiness of the divine name demands that we neither use it for trivial matters, nor take an oath which on the basis of the circumstances could be interpreted as approval of an authority unjustly requiring it.... 
2164 “Do not swear whether by the Creator, or any creature, except truthfully, of necessity, and with reverence” (St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises, 38).

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