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OUR LADY OF PEÑAFRANCIA SEMINARY

High school Department


Bibincahan, Sorsogon City
A.Y. 2020-2021

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Commandments 8
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Prepared by:
Bro. Ray Nonn O. Mallorca

Owned by:
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LESSON 1
THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT

Learning Objectives
- To point out the
meaning of the Sixth
Commandment based
on the Biblical
narratives in the Old
Testament
- To elaborate the
meaning of adultery
- To identify the
different cultural
conditions and prejudices obscuring the proper observance of the Sixth
Commandment

STRENGTHENING FAITHFULLY

The Sixth Commandment commands simply and directly “You shall not commit
adultery” (Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:17). It forbids adultery which happens when
married person enters into sexual union with someone other than his/her spouse. Other
than the sexual activity, it aims to protect the family. Thus the command to multiply
and fill the earth (cf. Genesis 1:27f), comes with the truth that God created female so
that man would not be alone cf. Genesis 2:18).
The two narratives on Genesis (Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2:18) point out human
relationship as for unity and procreation. The man-woman relationship is vocation to
love and life.
Today, the observance of the Sixth Commandment has been obscured through
history by cultural conditions and prejudices.

First, there was the ancient patriarchal distortion of' marriage Patriarchal – is a
wherein the wife was treated as "property" of the husband. characteristic of a
(CFC 1067) system of society
controlled by men
Second, throughout history, human sexuality has attracted Licentious practice
more than its share of taboos, restrictive customs, and laws. – meanslacking
Licentious practice in society on one side frequently gave rise legal or moral
on the other to a quite unbiblical hostility among restrain or limit
the "pious" toward sexuality and sex. (CFC 1068) Taboos – are
activities that are
forbidden based on
1 religious beliefs.
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Third, these two abusive trends tended to develop into a moralistic and legalistic rigidity
regarding sexuality (CFC 1068).

Jesus said, "Whoever · divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery
against her and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery"
(Mark 10:11-12). For what God has joined together no human being must separate (cf.
Mark 10:9). Adultery threatens that union between the man and the woman.

SHARING LOVINGLY
Write three ways a husband should treat his wife and vice versa.

Husband to wife
1. ________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________

Wife to husband
1. ________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 2
THE NATURE AND BASIS OF HUMAN SEXUALITY

Learning Objectives
- To differentiate sex and sexuality
- To identify the basis for human
sexuality.
- To explain the four consequences
of the fundamental truth of
creation

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STRENGTHENING FAITHFULLY
Sex refers to the person as male or female based on biological and physiological
characteristics. The person is either male or female.
Sexuality includes but not limited to sex. It refers to the total expression of the
person as a man or as woman. The development of one's sexuality is important.
"Sexuality signifies an essential dimension of the whole person, by which he/she enters
into relationship with others ... " (NCDP 287; cf. CCC 2332).
The basis to understand human sexuality is creation. God created male and
female (cf Genesis 1:27). "Man and woman constitute two modes of 'imaging' God and
they fully accomplishes such a vocation not only as single persons, but also as couples,
which are communities of love (cf. EGHL 26)." (CFC 1071)
Sexuality is a gift and is holy. "For everything created by God is good, and
nothing is to be rejected when received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the
invocation of God in prayer." (1 Timothy 4:4-5)
The fundamental truth of creation has four consequences.
1. Equal personal dignity
Male and female are of equal dignity. They are both created, redeemed, and
sanctified by God. They are made in His image and likeness, adopted as children
through His Son Jesus and made holy by the Holy Spirit. "In creating the human
race 'male and female', God gives man and woman an equal personal dignity,
endowing them with the inalienable rights and responsibilities proper to the
human a person" (FC 22; cf. CCC 2335)." (CFC 1071)

2. Different and complementary


Male and female remain two distinct individuals. They
are unique. " ... man and woman are both different and Celibate – is a
complementary, not only in their physical and biological person abstaining
being, but reaching down to the depth of their moral and
from marriage and
spiritual being (cf. CCC 2333)," (CFC 1072)
sexual relations
3. Called to mutual self-giving or reciprocity
The very fact that male is male and female is female, Complementary –
gives reason for them to share themselves to each other in means completing
love.” The partnership of man and woman constitutes the something or
first form of communion between persons GS 12), and someone
constitutes the basic form of our co-humanity. " (C FC 1072)
4. For lovw either as married or celibate
The communion between male and female is grounded
on love. They understand each other, bear each one’s

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shortcoming and forgive. “Our sexuality is a relational power through which


we can show understanding, warmth, openness, and compassion to others.”
(CFC 1073

SHARE LOVINGLY
A. Identify whether the following refers to sex or sexuality. Write in the blank S for sex
and ST for sexuality.
___1. The man talks with a deep voice
___2. A baby has a male reproductive organ.
___3. The man is committed to his beloved.
___4. The woman’s body has contour that made her look sexy
___5. The wife understands the difficulty her husband is going through.

LESSON 3
BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE ON HUMAN SEXUALITY

Learning Objectives
- To discuss the Old and New
Testaments’ perspective on human
sexuality
- To present the meaning of marriage
through the teachings of St. Paul

STRENGTHENING FAITHFULLY

The Christian understanding of


sexuality and marriage is developed by the
biblical narrative on God’s relationship Torah – is the law of
4 God as revealed to
Moses and recorded
in the first five books
of the Bible or
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with Israel. In spite of sin that brought disorder and disharmony to the people’s
relationship with God, Yahweh’s fidelity for them remained. This relationship of God to
His people is portrayed in the image of marriage: “I will espouse you to me forever: I
will espouse you in right and justice, in love and mercy; I will espouse you in fidelity
and you shall know the· Lord" (Hosea 2:19f) (cf. CFC 1076).
In the New Testament, Jesus focused on the dignity and value of sexuality and
marriage rather than the detailed prescriptions and prohibitions of the Torah. This was
evident during the case of an adulteress, Mary of Magdala. The Pharisees and scribes
wanted Jesus to command the stoning of the woman, but He did not. Rather, He
brought them to a realization of their own sinfulness.
Another instance was the Pharisees' question on divorce. Jesus told them "A man
leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one
body' (Genesis 2:24). Thus they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, let no man
separate what God has joined" (Matthew 19:3-6) (cf. 1078)
In here, St. Paul taught Christian marriage as that which symbolizes the intimate
love between Christ and the Church. "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved his
Church. He gave himself up for her ... " (Ephesians 5:25).

SHARING LOVINGLY
Write a word or phrase about sexuality and marriage from the Old Testament and New
Testament.

OLD TESTAMENT NEW TESTAMENT

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LESSON 4
REDEEMED SEXUALITY

Learning Objectives
- To explain Christ’s redemption
on human sexuality
- To stress out sexuality as power
and state of love.

STRENGTHENING FAITHFULY

Jesus redeemed humanity. By


redemption, He saved humankind
from the slavery of sin and restored human relationships that were distorted and
corrupted by original sin. This relationship refers to our relationship with God and with
one another. "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but
that the world might be saved through him" (John 3:17).
Jesus in His word and example disclosed the true nature of human sexuality.
One's being man or being woman with all the differences that exist between them serve
as reason to unite in love. During His life, Jesus encountered, befriended, and loved the
sinners; the oppressed, handicapped, the traitor, men and women, children, kings,

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soldiers, and self-righteous. He was angry with hypocrites for what they were but, in
the end, saved them for His great love. This is the kind of sexuality He wanted us to
live, a sexuality toward loving relationship with God and people.
"By word and example, Jesus revealed the true nature of
our human sexuality and of marriage. More importantly, Instincts – are innate
through his own Resurrection, Jesus redeemed our whole biological tendencies for
persons, with all our instincts, powers, and relationships,
survival
including our sexuality" (CfC 1080).
Thus, sexuality and marriage for Christians are not Original sin – is a state
just for reproduction purpose like that of animals as taught of sin which human
in biology "Rather, renewed by God's love through Christ
being is born, the
Jesus in the Holy Spirit, they are a real personal power and a
consequence of the first
perduring state for love, a love which develops, heals, and
creates" (CFC 1084). sin.

SHARING LOVINGLY
Write three effects of love and lust to human relationship.
LOVE LUST
1. 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

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LESSON 5
THE NINTH COMMANDMENT

Learning Objectives
- To identify the Ninth Commandment
- To elaborate the meaning of
covetousness in Ninth Commandment
- To explain how Christ perfected the
Ninth Commandment

STRENGTHENING FAITHFULLY
The Ninth Commandment commands "You shall not covet your neighbor's wife
(Exodus 20:17). It completes the Sixth Commandment by pointing out the source of
disordered desire of the flesh: covetousness of the heart. Human covetousness has been
a root of sin that separates us from God and one another.
Covetousness does not only refer to lust for the flesh but lust for possessions and
power. These lustful desires make us selfish and indifferent to the needs of other
people. They move us away from one another. The Ninth Commandment "calls us to
acknowledge our deep inbred lust for possessions and power, and to venture out in an

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"Exodus away from the "fleshpots of Egypt,'' the house of slavery, toward the liberation
of respect and solidarity with one another." (CFC 1091).
Christ perfected this teaching in his Sermon on the
Mount. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God"
Covetousness – is
(Matthew 5:8). Following, He said, "You have heard' the
commandment, 'You shall not commit adultery.' What I say to showing strong,
you is anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already inordinate desire for
committed adultery with her in his thoughts" (Matthew 5:27f). Solidarity – is unity
To show how serious He was on this, He added: "If your right in pursuit of justice
eye is your trouble, gouge it out and throw it away11 and peace
(Matthew 5:29). (cf. CFC 1092)

SHARING LOVINGLY
Get your Bible and write one of the passages from the given sources below;
Choose one and explain, and relate it to the 9th Commandment.
Psalms 51:12
Colossians 3:5
Ephesians 5:5

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

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LESSON 6
THE VIRTUE OF CHASTITY

Learning Objectives
- To define the virtue of chastity
- To point out the importance of virtue
of chastity in relation to the Ninth
Commandment
- To direct sexual drives and energies
to more meaningful and fruitful
activities

STRENGTHENING FAITHFULLY

Chastity is purity of heart. All Christians are called to be chaste. Based on


Catechism of the Catholic Church par. 2337, "chastity means the successful integration
of sexuality within the person and thus the inner unity of man in his bodily and
spiritual being." This could mean that the body, with all its desires and longings, must
be in harmony with those of our spirit and soul. In this way, we can authentically
respond to the call to grow in holiness: "It is God's will that you grow in holiness: that
you abstain from immorality, each of you guarding his member in sanctity and honor,
not in passionate desire as do the Gentiles who know not God" (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).

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To be chaste does not mean rejecting our sexuality with its bodily desires. It
actually recognizes these desires and directs them to higher values of love, generosity,
gentleness, and care. "At the root, purity of heart is a positive power for authentic
human freedom and love, not a repressive denial of the true value and exercise of our
sexuality" (CFC 1095). Christ proclaimed, "Blessed are the pure-hearted, ·for they shall
see God" (Matthew 5:8)." The pure of heart refers to those people who direct their
hearts, minds, and bodies toward God in love. St. Paul sums this up: "what we are
aiming at is ... love that springs from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith"
(1 Timothy 1:5). (cf. CFC 1095)
"Purity of heart demands that we develop a certain self-control to meet the
temptations and challenges presented by community daily life. Such self-control
constitutes a good part of what it means to grow up toward becoming mature
responsible men and women and disciples of Jesus Christ" (CF~ 1096).

SHARING LOVINGLY
With the virtue of chastity, a person is able to control and channel his/her sexual
energies Draw how you can channel best those sexual energies in a more positive way.
Draw anything that can channel those sexual energies.

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LESSON 7
EDUCATION FOR CHASTITY

Learning Objectives
- To point out the importance of
education in the development of
virtue of chastity
- To describe the role of family in the
education of chastity to children
- To explain the true formation of
chastity in the person

STRENGTHENING FAITHFULLY
The realization of the value of
sexuality relies on the education on chastity. Chastity fosters respect and appreciation of
the true meaning and purpose of the human body. It develops a sense of maturity in
handling relationship and in regarding the human body as sacred.
In the education on chastity, motivation is very important. It involves the process
of focusing not only in knowing what sexuality is, but on values such as: "personal
growth in interpersonal dialogue and the gift of self in love, creative fecundity, and the
transmission of human life" (CFC 1100).
This process of education on chastity must start in the family. Chastity is for love.
Love springs, grows, and bears fruit in the context of family. It is where children first
learn to relate and respect their sexuality and that of others. St. Paul teaches, "Fathers,
do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up with the training and
instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). Today, Filipinos especially the youth must

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really develop the Christian virtues of self-discipline, prudence, moderation, humility,


and modesty. In the same way, the government must continue to educate children of
virtue of chastity:

SHARING LOVINGLY
Write three understandings of human sexuality based on the teachings of the Church.
Look for it on the internet and include the source.
1.____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2.____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3.____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
LESSON 8
THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT

Learning Objectives
- To reflect and relate the
story of Joseph to the
Seventh Commandment
- To identify the historical
and contemporary meaning
of the Seventh
Commandment
- To share thoughts on the
impact of stealing to the
victim
One day, when his brothers had
gone to pasture their father's flocks at
Shechem, Israel said to Joseph, "Ate
your brothers not tending our flocks
at Shechem? Come and I will send
you to them." "I am ready," Joseph answered. "Go then," he replied; "see if all is well with your
brothers and the flocks, and bring back word." So he sent him off from the valley of Hebron.
When Joseph reached Shechem, a man came upon him as he was wandering about in the
fields. "What are you looking for?" the man asked him. "I am looking for my brothers," he
answered. "Please tell me where they are tending the flocks. "The man told him, "They have
moved on from here; in fact, I heard them say, 'Let us go on to Dothan."' So Joseph went after
his brothers and found them in Dothan. They saw him from a distance, and before he reached

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them, they plotted to kill him. They said to one another: "Here comes that dreamer! Come now,
let us kill him and throw him into one of the cisterns here; we could say that a wild beast
devoured him. We will see then what comes· of his dreams." But when Reuben heard this, he
tried to save him from their hands, saying: "We must not take his life." Then Reuben said, "Do
not shed blood! Throw him into this cistern in the wilderness; but do not lay a hand on him."
His purpose was to save him from their hands and restore him to his father. So when Joseph
came up to his brothers, they stripped him of his tunic, the long ornamented tunic he had on;
then they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in
it. Then they sat down to eat. Looking up, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead,
their camels laden with gum, balm, and resin to be taken down to Egypt. Judah said to his
brothers: “What is to be gained by killing our brother and concealing his blood? Come, let us sell
him to these Ishmaelites, instead of doing away with him ourselves. After all, he us our brother,
our own flesh.” His brothers agreed. Midianite traders passed by, and they pulled Joseph up out
of the cistern. They sold Joseph for twenty pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to
Egypt.

STRENGTHENING FAITHFULLY
''The seventh commandment "You shall not steal"
(Exodus 20:15; Deuteronomy 5:19) is originally a Extortion – criminal
prohibition against kidnapping. This is exemplified in the offense of obtaining
story of Joseph whose envious brothers sold him.
money, property or
Kidnapping is a crime. It is a horrifying reality.
services from an
The Catechism for Filipino Catholics #1142 states individual or institution
that the seventh commandment “was then extended through force.
beyond kidnapping to the many other less dramatic ways
of robbing another's freedom, many ways of exploiting
others, and stealing from them what is rightfully theirs."
People should have access to resources necessary for them to live and receive just
treatment they deserve as person. This includes then not only basic needs such as food,
clothing, or shelter but respect to their dignity and rights.
In the letter of Paul to the Corinthians, he said "Do you not know that the unjust
will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor
idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor sodomites nor thieves nor the greedy
nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God" (1
Corinthians 6:9-10). The fornicators, idolaters, prostitutes, sodomites, greedy,
drunkards, and thieves will not inherit the kingdom of God. The reason is that they are
unjust. Stealing is against the virtue of justice. God loves justice.
You have been told, O mortal, what is good,
and what the Lord requires of you:
Only to do justice and to love goodness,
and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)

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SHARING LOVINGLY
Answer briefly the questions below.

1. Why do people steal?


________________________________________________________________________

2. Can stealing be justified?


________________________________________________________________________

3. What happens to victims of stealing?


________________________________________________________________________

4. What do victims feel?


________________________________________________________________________
LESSON 9
GOD’S CREATION

Learning Objectives
- To relate the Seventh Commandment to
integrity of creation
- To define stewardship biblically
- To reflect and realize the effect to the
community of lack of care for the
environment

STRENGTHENING FAITHFULLY
The Seventh Commandment prohibits
exploitation. This includes not only exploitation of people and their personal belongings
but the whole creation, the source of human needs and wants. Abuse of creation is
"stealing" of a good life God plans for all and thus, everyone deserves.
There must be made available to all men everything necessary for leading a life
truly human, such as food, clothing, and shelter; (GS 26). (1146.)
In addition, today we realize that the Seventh Commandment involves respect
for the dignity and integrity of creation (cf. CCC 2415). PCP II urges "a passionate care
of our earth and our environment". (CFC 1146)
In Genesis 2:5-15, God commanded Adam and Eve "to till and to keep”. the land.
In Hebrew, the word "till" points to the service that a slave renders to a master. And the
word "keep" in Hebrew means to preserve for the future. Therefore, the mandate "to
serve and to preserve" the land places humanity in a position to serve and not to be

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served. God has given them the responsibility to care for the environment. This is what
"have dominion" {Genesis 2:28) originally means. It is stewardship.
Biblically, steward is a term which pertains to a manager given the responsibility
to take good care of the goods· and property of another. He is not the owner but one
chosen by the owner to treat his/her property with
care and respect.
Indifference – is the lacking
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus taught about the interest, concern, and
unjust steward who took advantage of his position to
sympathy
serve himself (Luke 16:1-13). The Seventh
Integrity of creation – is the
Commandment addresses the inordinate desire and
temptation for material possessions resulting to use of everything God
stealing and indifference for the common good. created with purpose respect,
care, and sense of
responsibility
SHARING LOVINGLY
Reflect on the images and identify what could people lose in the given scenario.

1. ____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________

2. ____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________

3. ____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________

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4. ____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________

LESSON 10
THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT
PROHIBITS

After fifteen years of working abroad, Karen's father came home for a visit. He gave her a
precious gift, the one she was ardently requesting for years- a new mobile phone. She was
very happy. Days after, Karen met her friends in one of the cafeterias and showed them her
new mobile phone. All of her friends felt a bit jealous while at the same time happy for her.
After an hour of chatting, Karen could not find her phone anymore. She was sure to have
placed it on the corner of the table. They all searched for it but to no avail. They even asked
the waiter but got no information. Karen finally came to realize that someone stole her
phone.

Learning Objectives
- To identify and explain the
different sins against the Seventh Commandment
- To reflect on the experience of losing or becoming victim of stealing
- To have personal statement in observance of the Seventh Commandment

STRENGTHENING FAITHFULLY

The Seventh Commandment basically forbids: theft, robbery, cheating, and


usury.

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1. Theft is the secret stealing of another man's goods contrary to the rational will of
their owner. The Scripture warns us: "You shall not exploit your neighbor. You
shall not commit robbery. You shall not withhold overnight the wages of your
laborer" (Leviticus 19:11). However, if a person steals when he is starving, having
the only means of saving his life, it is not a sin provided he has the intention to
return or restore what he has stolen.
Thieves are not despised
if out of hunger they steal to satisfy their appetite. Counterfeit – means fake,
bogus, unauthorized, illegal
Yet if caught they must pay back sevenfold,
yield up all the wealth of their house. (Proverbs 6:30) Smuggling – is moving goods
illegally into or out of the
country
Between life and property, life is the priority. In
Matthew 12:1, Jesus did not reject the starving
apostles for taking the ears of corn and eat the grain.
In addition, to keep or buy stolen goods render a person partner in the sin. St. Paul
in his letter to the Ephesians said, "The thief must no longer steal, but rather labor)
doing honest work with his [own] hands, so that he may have something to share with
one in need" (Ephesians 4:28).
2. Robbery is unlawful taking away of goods or property by force or intimidation.
It is theft with violence being inflicted to the victim. The forcible extortion of
alms is also equivalent to robbery. "For I, the LORD, love justice, I hate robbery
and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, an everlasting
covenant I will make with them" (Isaiah 61:8).
3. Cheating by using false weights and measures, issuing counterfeit money,
adulterating food, falsifying documents, smuggling, or setting properties on fire
(arson) to obtain the insurance money is against the seventh commandment. It
injures one’s neighbor in his possessions. "Do not act dishonestly in using
measures of length or weight or capacity" (Leviticus 19:35).
4. Usury consists in lending money at unreasonably high rates of interest. It is
taking advantage of one's needy circumstance to one's own profit."lf you lend
money to my people, the poor among you, you must not be like a money lender;
you must not demand interest from them" (Exodus 22:24). Usurers do not help
the poor but even push them deep into the mud of poverty. They take from them
their means of livelihood and deprive them their life.
5. Other sins against the Seventh Commandment are: damaging goods,
carelessness in returning borrowed material things, the non-payment of debts,
fraudulently declaring, and keeping back the wages of a poor laborer.
The gravity of the morality of stealing depends on the damage it may cause the
person and not merely the amount of stolen, goods. We are in danger of committing
mortal sin if we take from our neighbor as much as he requires to support him one day
in a manner suitable to his position.

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SHARING LOVINGLY
Give examples of simple honesty in observance of the seventh commandment
that you can do in your classroom or in your home.
Example: Asking for permission when borrowing a pen.

1. ________________________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________________________

4. ________________________________________________________________________

5. ________________________________________________________________________

6. ________________________________________________________________________

7. ________________________________________________________________________

8. ________________________________________________________________________

9. ________________________________________________________________________

10. ________________________________________________________________________

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