United States Catholic Catechism for Adults

Chapter 26. Second Commandment: Reverence God’s Name • 357

Jesus taught that he would be present to those who come together in his name. “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt 18:20). St. Peter staked his entire ministry on the utter uniqueness of Jesus, the only Savior, by employing the power of his name: “There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved” (Acts 4:12). St. Paul proclaimed that the name of Christ is an occasion for the adoration of the Son of God: God greatly exalted him / and bestowed on him the name / that is above every name, / that at the name of Jesus / every knee should bend, / of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth. (Phil 2:9-10) When the Blessed Virgin Mary praised God for calling her to be the Mother of his Son, she chanted, “Holy is his name” (Lk 1:49). All of these sublime tributes to God’s name enliven our faith and love for God. They provide us with the context to understand the meaning of the Second Commandment. This is a good time for people of faith to witness their love for God’s name by appealing to those who err in this regard to reconsider what they say and appreciate how it affects others. Those who are involved in preaching and catechizing should always remember to model and encourage adoration. In order to be examples to society, believers them selves need to be temperate in the use of their tongues. FOR DISCUSSION 1. In your family or workplace, what means do you take to eliminate the wrong use of God’s name? What have you found to be the most effective approaches? 2. How do you help young people to address the use of coarse lan guage in films, TV, and music? What has proven to be the most successful method?