.

.

TODAY’S WORD…

.

God said,

“You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God,

for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses His name.”

.

– Exodus 20:7 (NRSV)

.

.

PRAYER…

.

Forgive us, O God,

for demeaning Your Holy Name;

for misusing it,

for reducing it to a mere expression

and, worst of all, for our blasphemy.

.

How can we claim, O Lord,

that to us You are above all,

when we are irreverent towards Your Name,

abusing it, desecrating it,

and treating it with contempt?

.

Please forgive us, O God;

remove this scourge from our ungrateful and insolent culture.

Bring us back to our knees

to worship and adore You.

Change us,

convert us,

and use us to rebuild Your Kingdom.

.

Amen.

.

.

.

.

YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

.

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.

.

[CCC 2143]

.

.

Blasphemy is directly opposed to the second commandment.

It consists in uttering against God – inwardly or outwardly – words of hatred, reproach, or defiance;

in speaking ill of God;

in failing in respect toward Him in one’s speech;

in misusing God’s name. […]

.

Blasphemy is contrary to the respect due God and His holy name.

It is in itself a grave sin.

.

[CCC 2148]

.

.

.