OCIA Session 14 Supplement - Catholic Morality I - Ten Commandments and Beatitudes

Catholic Morality I - Ten Commandments and Beatitudes

When people hear the word “morality,” they sometimes think of rules, restrictions, or a list of things you cannot do. But Catholic morality is not about limitation - it is about freedom. God does not give us commandments to make life smaller. He gives them so we can live fully, joyfully, and in harmony with Him and others. Jesus said in John 10:10, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” True morality is about that abundant life.

Let’s start with the Ten Commandments. These were given to Moses on Mount Sinai, written by the very finger of God. Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 record them clearly. They are not random rules, but a covenant - God showing His people how to live in relationship with Him and with one another. The first three commandments focus on loving God: no other gods, do not take His name in vain, and keep holy the Sabbath. The next seven focus on loving others: honor your parents, do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not lie, do not covet your neighbor’s wife, and do not covet your neighbor’s goods.

These commandments are still relevant today. They remind us that God must come first, that life is sacred, that truth matters, and that faithfulness in relationships is essential. Jesus summed them up with two great commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… and love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). Catholic morality always flows from love - love of God and love of neighbor.

But Jesus did not stop with the commandments. In the Sermon on the Mount, He gave us the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12). These are not so much rules as a vision of holiness. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven… Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth… Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” The Beatitudes flip the world’s values upside down. The world says happiness comes from wealth, power, or comfort. Jesus says true happiness comes from humility, mercy, purity of heart, and a hunger for righteousness.

The Ten Commandments show us what to avoid. The Beatitudes show us what to become. Together they create a full picture of Catholic morality. The commandments set boundaries so we do not harm ourselves or others. The Beatitudes invite us into holiness, joy, and a deeper relationship with God.

Here’s a humor break: some people treat the Ten Commandments like the Ten Suggestions, as if God were offering optional advice. Others think the Beatitudes are only for super-holy people like saints or monks. The truth is, both are for everyone. God’s law and God’s blessings are meant for ordinary people in everyday life.

Catholic morality is not about checking boxes. It is about transformation. St. Paul tells us in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Following the commandments and living the Beatitudes reshape our hearts so we can see and act like Christ. They are not meant to crush us with guilt but to lift us into freedom.

Take a moment to reflect. Which of the Ten Commandments challenges you the most right now? Which Beatitude inspires you? Maybe you struggle with putting God first or with being merciful. Maybe you are inspired by the call to be pure of heart or to hunger for justice. Write down one commandment and one Beatitude you want to focus on this week.

Here’s your practical challenge: read the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 and the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. Pray with them slowly. Ask God to show you one way you can live them out in daily life - perhaps keeping the Sabbath more faithfully, reconciling with a family member, showing mercy at work, or being more humble in conversations.

In closing, remember this: Catholic morality is not a burden but a path to freedom and joy. The commandments keep us rooted in love of God and neighbor. The Beatitudes invite us into the happiness of the Kingdom of Heaven. Next time, we will explore Catholic Morality II - where Catholic Social Teaching and the formation of conscience guide us to live justly in the modern world. Until then, let God’s law and Christ’s blessings shape your choices, and discover the joy of living as a child of God.