By JOE SIXPACK
On one particular occasion a Marine used some very bad language and mentioned the name of our Lord very disrespectfully. The chaplain happened to be nearby and overheard the Marine. He jerked the young man to his feet and forcefully repeated the same words he’d just heard. The rest of the Marines in the group were astounded.
“Now,” said the chaplain sternly, “you’ve heard me say it, Marine! And I’m a priest. How does it sound to you?”
The Marine was shamefaced and silent.
“It ought to turn your stomach,” the chaplain said, and left. It probably did, as there was a marked decrease in profanity in the unit from that time on.
The Second Commandment is: “You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain.” This Commandment obliges us to always speak of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the saints, and sacred persons, places and things with reverence. To the surprise of many, it also obliges us to take oaths truthfully, and to be faithful in fulfilling promissory oaths and vows. Like all the Commandments, much more is implied than what is mentioned in the face of the Commandment, and what is implied here is what is forbidden: profanity, blasphemy, cursing, and carelessness or deceit in taking oaths and vows.
The Protestant misinterpretation of this Commandment is yet another anomaly that has crept into Catholic thought. Most modern Catholics think that profanity and cursing are both one and the same, but what they’re referring to is actually vulgar language.
Vulgar language, in and of itself, isn’t sinful. Actually, vulgar language is simply a cultural thing. What is considered vulgar in one culture or society isn’t even noticed in another. Vulgar language is determined by so-called polite society. Although vulgar language should be avoided, it isn’t necessarily sinful. It is sinful when done in the presence of the opposite sex or children, which is the best reason to avoid it altogether. This begs the question, then, of what profanity and cursing really are.
Profanity is “the abuse of God’s name, i.e., every improper use of the names of God, Jesus Christ, but also of the Virgin Mary and all the saints” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2146). We violate this — usually in a venial way — when, for example, we abuse these holy names when expressing anger or surprise.
Cursing, on the other hand, is actually what the name implies: the invoking of evil upon a person, place, or thing. It’s sinful to curse animals or things chiefly because of the uncontrolled anger or impatience involved. It’s sinful to curse a human being because that person is made in the image and likeness of God.
Blasphemy, another of the forbidden actions of this Commandment, “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. . . . The prohibition of blasphemy extends to language against Christ’s Church, the saints and sacred things. . . . Blasphemy is contrary to the respect due God and his holy name. It is itself a grave sin” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2148).
People also confuse oaths and vows. An oath is calling upon God to witness the truthfulness of what we say. We must be very careful about using an oath, and it may be used only under strict conditions: When we have a good reason for taking it, we’re sure we’re speaking the truth, and we don’t have a sinful intention. The glory of God, the good of our neighbor, or our own personal good are valid reasons for taking an oath.
Perjury is thought to be strictly a legal term, but it is theological as well. In law, perjury is simply telling a lie under oath. In theology, there is the added evil of asking God to be witness to a lie, even if we don’t use God’s name as part of the oath. The abuse of an oath is always a mortal sin. People who like to tell stories and frequently throw the phrase, “I swear to God!” are objectively committing mortal sin each time they do this.
A promissory oath is a promise “made to others in God’s name [to] engage the divine honor, fidelity, truthfulness, and authority. They must be respected in justice. To be unfaithful to them is to misuse God’s name and in some way make God out to be a liar” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2147).
A vow is a free and deliberate promise made to God, by which a person binds himself under pain of sin to do something especially pleasing to God. The most common vows are the marriage vows, and those of poverty, chastity, and obedience taken by members of religious orders. In light of this, it is suggested you revisit the vows you’ve taken; marriage vows for those in the marital vocation, and religious vows for those in the religious state. You might be surprised at what results when you make your examination of conscience.
Now let me change the subject for just a paragraph or two. Those of you who have been reading this column weekly and finding it nutritious for the soul may want to do some solid studying on your own. Well, I’d like to make a suggestion.
The late servant of God, Fr. John A. Hardon, SJ, was a personal friend of Pope St. John Paul II. The Holy Father asked Fr. Hardon to come up with a course to help the Catholic faithful learn more about the faith. That singular course, originally written for Mother Teresa and her spiritual daughters, evolved into two courses: Basic Catechism and Advanced Catechism. They are required courses for members of the Marian Catechist Apostolate, of which I am a proud member, but you don’t have to be a member to take them. If you’re interested, check out https://mariancatechist.com/ when you finish this. Or you can call 608-782-0011 to talk to the folks at the Marian Catechist Apostolate during regular business hours.
If you have a question or comment you can reach out to me through the “Ask Joe” page of JoeSixpackAnswers.com, or you can email me at Joe@CantankerousCatholic.com.
Hey, how would you like to see things like this article every week in your parish bulletin as an insert? You or your pastor can learn more about how to do that by emailing me at Joe@CantankerousCatholic.com.
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