Keep the Lord's Name Holy

The Catechism of the Catholic Church sets forth that the name of the Lord is holy; it must not be used except to bless, praise and glorify the Lord. This straightforward teaching makes it clear that the use of his name, for any reason other than those stated, is an offense to our Lord.   

Emphasizing this teaching and praying as our Lord himself taught us, The Lord’s Prayer begins, “Our Father Who art is Heaven, hallowed be The Name”.

Furthermore, consider our Second Commandment: “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.”  The gravity of irreverent use of the Lord’s name is commanded against even before that of killing, our Fifth Commandment!  

Isn’t it amazing, then, that despite all this, we encounter the Lord’s holy name so often being thrown around indiscriminately? Indeed, we have been lulled into this sin.  

I corrected this in myself personally several years ago and always feel a pang of dread and suffering when I hear someone utter his name without due reverence. Yet, I say nothing.      

I have genuinely good family and friends that innocently commit this error. Who am I, a sinner, to point out another’s offense? It is very hard for me to imagine correcting them, but I am beginning to realize that my allowing it is complicit. I am not only knowingly allowing God to be offended but also jeopardizing the soul of another as well as my own.  

While this blog is a small effort to spread awareness and encourage you in your efforts to bless, praise and glorify the Lord, I am praying for the courage and grace to gently and powerfully enlighten others and influence change. Glory to God!

Charla Misse, a native of New Orleans, supports various charitable organizations, sits on the finance committee for St. Dominic Church and is a Boy Scouts of America den leader and religious emblems coordinator. She loves to laugh with her family, bake for her loved ones, exercise outdoors, visit the adoration chapel and pick her son up from school.