十诫：第一诫：唯一的天主

“除了我，你们的天主之外，你不可有别的神。”

有些教友认为只要他们每主日准时参加弥撒，参与教会的活动，那么他们是不可能触犯第一诫的。虽然如此，那些所谓“好教友”的，竟然也触犯第一诫呢。为何如此？

假如你曾经做过或是还在实行以下任何一项事项，你已触犯第一诫：

• 任何受造生物（除天主之外，任何人）或受造物（如：太阳，月亮，星星，“地球”）或者是一些东西（雕像或形象），除了朝拜天主之外，又把这些东西当着神明来供奉者。
• 迷信或是相信招魂术，降头，占星术，风水论，巫师，占星，算命，看掌纹者。
• 直接尝试与亡者魂魄沟通或者通过其它媒介者。
• 参与任形式的邪教活动者。
• 妄用任何神圣的东西，参与和朝拜异端者。
• 草率地下结论和绝望者。
• 为了世间的荣华富贵，名望地位和各种凡间的乐趣，而弃绝天主教的信仰者。

耶稣提醒我们不可侍奉两个主人：“没有人能侍奉两个主人，他或是要恨这一个而爱那一个，或是依附这一个而轻忽那一个。你们不能侍奉天主而又侍奉钱财。（马窦6：24），那么你要选那一个，天主或钱财？天主的圣训或是世间的花言巧语？有时候在我们追求名利与地位或是成就时，往往会把天主排在第二位。因此我们就触犯了第一诫。

让我们细心听耶稣在马窦16：26所提醒我们的忠言：“人纵然赚得了全世界，却赔上了自己的灵魂，为他有什麽益处？或者人还能拿什麽作为自己灵魂的代价呢？”

天主十诫─温故知新─简介

我们教友之中，很可能有些已经遗忘或不确定所谓十诫？为了方便教友们温故知新，以下这简短介绍会有很大的帮助，尤其是要准备办告解圣事的教友们。

• 第一诫： 除了我，你们的天主之外，你不可有别的神。
• 第二诫：不可 随意妄称天主圣名。
• 第三诫：应当纪念安息日，并守为圣日或主日。
• 第四诫：应当孝敬父母。
• 第五诫：不可杀害他人。
• 第六诫：不可奸淫。
• 第七诫：不可偷盗。
• 第八诫：不可作假见证陷害人。
• 第九诫：不可垂涎别人的妻子。
• 第十诫：不可贪图别人的财物。

假如我们仔细阅读，就可以把十诫规划成为两条重要的诫命：爱天主在万有之上（第一至第三）和 大家互相爱护（其余的七条诫命）（马窦 22：37—40）。天主颁给我们十条诫命并非要剥夺人类的自由或乐趣。反而，祂在教导我们如何在世上活的更有意义。既然，天主要我们生活的更有规律，那麽就让我们好好地听天主的话，和祂建立更好的关系，也不忽略和周遭人的情谊。

Act of Contrition: A Requirement in the Sacrament of Reconciliation

A person must have a contrite heart for the sacrament of Reconciliation to be effective. A contrite heart expresses repentance, without which there can be no forgiveness of sin. Thus, the act of contrition was formulated to express the thoughts of such a contrite heart. It is a requirement of the Sacrament.

When people go for confession, some may have forgotten how to recite the "Act of Contrition" prayer. It is best if people can recite this prayer from the heart, but for those of us who are becoming less able to remember things, here are some "Act of Contrition" prayers to recite. You may wish to write one down or print it out for you to keep and bring around, so that it is convenient for you to take it out and recite when you go for confession.

In English (Choose one only)

1. O, my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you. I detest all my sins because of your just punishment, but most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin.
2. O My God, I am very sorry that I have sinned against you; Because you are so good and with your help I will not sin again.

In BM (This prayer is for BM-speaking Catholics only) (Pilih satu sahaja)

1. Allah yang Maharahim, aku menyesal atas dosa-dosaku, sebab patut aku Engkau hukum, terutama sebab aku telah menghina Engkau yang Mahamurah dan Mahabaik bagiku. Aku benci akan segala dosaku dan berjanji dengan pertolongan rahmat-Mu hendak memperbaiki hidupku dan tidak akan berbuat dosa lagi. Ya Allah, kasihanilah aku, orang yang berdosa ini. Amin.
2. Allahku, dengan seluruh hatiku aku menyesali dosa-dosaku. Dengan berbuat jahat aku lalai untuk berbuat baik. Aku telah berdosa terhadap Engkau, yang seharusnya kucintai di atas segala-galanya. Dengan bantuan-Mu aku berjanji untuk tidak berdosa lagi, untuk bertobat, dan menghindari apa saja yang dapat menjerumuskan aku ke dalam dosa. Amin.

In Mandarin (选一个)

1. 天主，为了我所犯的一切罪过，和我应做而没有尽到的本分，我全心痛悔，因为我得罪了你，极仁慈的天主。现在，依靠你圣宠的助佑，我决心悔改，善作补赎，愿永远生活在您的爱里。阿门。
2. 我的天主，我的慈父，我犯罪得罪了您，很觉惭愧，也真心痛悔。 因为我辜负了您的慈爱，妄用了您的恩宠。 我今定志，宁死再不得罪您，并尽力躲避犯罪的机会，我的天主，求您垂怜我，宽赦我。阿门。
3. 主，耶稣基督，你是除免世罪的天主羔羊，求你籍着神的恩宠，恢复我与圣父间的关系；在你为我所流的圣血中，洗净我的一切罪污；并为你圣名的光荣，赐给我新生。阿门。
4. 吾主耶稣，基利斯督，造我养我，救我的主。 我重罪人，得罪天主。 今特为爱天主在万有之上，真心痛悔，恼恨我罪，决意定改，宁死再不敢犯天主的诫命，恳望吾主，念尔受难之功，可怜赦我的罪。阿门。

Exchanging 5 c's for 2 c's

Living on this earth can be a struggle and a challenge. We face different obstacles along the way and sometimes, we feel as if we are being pulled in different directions. On the one hand, we need to make a living to survive. On the other hand, we also need to maintain a good spiritual relationship with God. What do we do? What are we looking for?

Some of us may be tempted in different degrees and at one point or another to pursue the 5c's: Cash, Card, Club, Condominium, Car. We see how others seem to be prospering and enjoying themselves and we may desire to be like these other people. However, in some cases, achieving such wealth and status may take a long time or may not be reachable to some. When faced with such obstacles, some of us may not be patient or content, and we may give in to less savoury methods to attain what we want. The question is this: is it really worth pursuing all these things in the long run? Will we be ever happy or content with what we have?

Jesus reminds us: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21).

While we need to survive in this world, let us also take time to ponder what we really want, what really matters, what really makes us happy and content. We are pilgrims in this world, and everything that we own, everything that we value, will one day be lost. We cannot cling on to what we have forever, and we certainly cannot bring these things with us when we die. We are constantly given opportunities by our loving God to be less dependent on the 5c's and embrace 2c's: Christ and the Cross. Embracing the 2c's may not be easy, as we may suffer or be ridiculed by others. People may say that we are crazy or silly, especially as the world seems to offer so much. However, let us not give up, let us persevere, for what we seek is not found in this temporal world. Are you willing to really take up your cross and follow Christ?


"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9).

"Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10).

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" (James 1:12).

Advent or Lent Penitential Service: Some Observations

During each Advent or Lent Penitential Service, several matters keep cropping up and I feel it is necessary to take heart:

1. Come early. Some priests come from quite a distance and if that priest is the one you are comfortable going to, coming late means you might "miss" him. Moreover, coming early gives you more time to prepare yourself to make a good confession.

2. If you have young children with you, please get your spouse or someone you can trust to keep an eye on them and hold on to them if necessary so that you and others can make a good confession in peace. Some young children may be hyperactive and start running around, which may cause distraction to others who are praying or reflecting.

3. Be brief when confessing. The priest wants to hear your sins, not the elaborate historical background to what led you to sin.

4. Confess your sins, not other people's. Some folks come for confession and start complaining about their husband, wife, children, etc. The priest is not interested in listening to your gossip.

5. Reflect carefully before going for confession. In this way, you can discover what sins you committed, especially serious ones.

6. Stay calm and focused. Don't get distracted with other matters before, during and after confession.

7. Be courteous. This is especially important when parking your vehicle or waiting your turn for confession. Don't cause other people to sin due to your behaviour or attitude. For example, when you arrive, park your vehicle properly as there may be other people coming later. Some folks have double-parked or parked indiscriminately and caused others to fume in disgust.

8. Remember the procedure. If you cannot remember how to make a good confession, the priest will guide you. However, it is better to know what to do and what to say, so that the confession can go on smoothly, instead of holding up other people.

9. Try to control your emotions. We know that some of you may cry due to feelings of guilt, embarrassment, etc. But the confessional is not meant to be a counselling session. I have seen some people come, and while confessing start raining down buckets. If you are experiencing such strong emotions, it may be better and necessary that you seek counselling later.

10. After confession and spending some time in prayer, leave peacefully. Don't loiter around the church too long, especially where parking space is limited, so that others can park and go for confession.

There may be other issues not mentioned in this list, but we hope that all faithful would take note so that the Advent or Lent Penitential Service could proceed smoothly for the spiritual growth and betterment of all..

The Ten Commandments: 9th & 10th Commandment: Don't Covet Other Person or Thing

9th Commandment: "You shall not covet your neighbour's wife"
10th Commandment: "You shall not covet your neighbour's goods"

What is coveting? Coveting is a desire or yearning to possess or have something or someone. If what we covet is obtained through legal, proper, justifiable means, then that is not an issue. The problem begins when we covet persons or things which belong to someone else, and that someone is unwilling or unable to part with the person or thing.

If we have:

• Unchaste or impure thoughts towards another person
• Desire of another person's wife or husband
• Desire to take or keep wrongfully
• Wilfully damage property that belongs to another

then we could be breaking this commandment.

Among the many passages from the bible concerning coveting, here are some for us to reflect on:

• "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death" (James 1:14-15).
• "Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil on their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand. They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them away; they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance. Therefore thus says the Lord: behold, against this family I am devising disaster, from which you cannot remove your necks, and you shall not walk haughtily, for it will be a time of disaster. In that day they shall take up a taunt song against you and moan bitterly, and say, “We are utterly ruined; he changes the portion of my people; how he removes it from me! To an apostate he allots our fields.” Therefore you will have none to cast the line by lot in the assembly of the Lord..." (Micah 2:1-13).
• "For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire, And the greedy man curses and spurns the LORD" (Psalm 10:3).

Passion and desire, when used and nurtured properly can be used to accomplish great things and give glory to God. When we misuse passion for personal gratification and gain, we may end up committing far heinous sins. Let us take care not to covet unhealthily only to ruin our lives and our relationship with God.

For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire, And the greedy man curses and spurns the LORD. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Coveting#sthash.1yAkFiY2.dpuf

The Ten Commandments: 8th Commandment: Don't Lie Lah

"You shall not bear false witness"

A lie is a lie, regardless whether it is white, black, yellow, orange or whatever. Some people lie to get out of an uncomfortable situation. Some lie because they do not want others to know their true self. Some lie because they want to gain prestige and importance. Some lie to save one's own skin from persecution or danger. Others lie for some other reason or another. There are even people who are habitual liars, making them undependable for court and for other important matters.

If we have:

• Lied to oneself and to others, in one form or another
• Injured the good name of others
• Slandered others
• Committed character assassination of others through our words for one's personal gain or for some other reason
• Committed detraction (derogatory or damaging comment on a person's character or reputation) 
• Told tales, made rash judgment, commited backbiting, uttered contemptuous speech
• Not kept secrets

then we could be breaking this commandment.

Are we wise and discerning enough to hold our tongue and be truthful at all times, even if the truth may hurt? Are we able to say what is necessary and when necessary, instead of trying to please others and make them happy? Jesus reminded us: "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Are we dependent on Jesus who has come to free us with the truth?