The Fourth Commandment - Part 4

The Fourth Commandment – Part 4

Submitted by Thomas Stidl

         In Part 4, I would like to illustrate the teaching of the Fourth Commandment as it pertains to Society.

         We must all learn to respect our law officers.  These people are here to serve the public and to keep the public safe from all harm.  Sometimes, they take their lives in their own hands by putting themselves in Harm’s Way to rescue us when we have accidents or when a weather situation occurs.  They keep us safe on highways by getting us to slow down.  It is better to arrive late than not to arrive at all.

         We should also respect government officials.  They derive authority from those that they govern.  We must pay our fair share of taxes, not like the son of the current President in office.  We must “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.

         We must always obey God first.  We reside in this nation, but our true home is in the Kingdom of God in Heaven.  Therefore, even though we are citizens of this nation, we are actually aliens waiting for God to call us home.

         It is also required of all Catholics to protect and defend their fellow citizens from all abuses from their government.

         We must exhaust all means to settle injustices peacefully.  All fundamental rights must be restored for everyone peacefully.  If all these matters fail including electing officials who will respect the people’s right to free speech, press, religion, and to assemble, then the people have the right to use civil disobedience.  This worked extremely well in the Civil Rights Movements of the 1960’s.  We should thank God and our founding fathers for our constitution and the Bill Of Rights.  Without the Second Amendment, we will not have a Constitution or a Country.  We must keep our military strong to protect us from foreign invaders by land, sea, or air.

         This is the responsibility given to us by God.  Without God’s light, we become fascist, socialist, or communist with a totalitarian dictator taking away our freedoms granted by God, our loving Father.  The respect and love that adults show God the Father and our aging parents will be given back to us in our old age.  Remember, God the Father is a parent to all of us as per the teachings of Jesus.  With Him, every day is Father’s Day.  Always acknowledge, love, respect, and adore Him.

         Until next time, Laus Tibi, Christe.  Deo Gratias.  Gloria Tibi Domini.  Praise be to God.  See you in Paradise.