The fifth commandment strikes at the core of our existence.  Human life is sacred because God created us “in his image” (Genesis 1:27).  None of the other creatures in the universe have the privilege of sharing the divine light in their creation except for humanity.  Every human life has value, and the value of life cannot diminish for any reason.  We may try to rationalize it or obscure it, but the divine value always remains.  This is the premise for why the fifth commandment is important for us to live.

              The primary way the fifth commandment can be violated is intentional homicide.  To willfully murder a human life for any reason goes against the other’s dignity as well as a violation of the humanity of the one killing.  The Church does recognize that legitimate self-defense in preserving one’s own life as a justification to the ending of another.  The reason comes from the principle of double effect, which states that one action can have two results.  In this case, the two results are preservation of one’s own life and the killing of the aggressor.  The intention of defense is to preserve the dignity of my life or another, which can result sometimes in the death of another.  One has the right and duty to defend life, especially if the other is seeking to take it of self or those we are responsible for.  It is why it is important for us to support those who defend our country in the military.  They defend our lives so that we can enjoy the life and freedoms that we have. 

              Another violation of this commandment centers on abortion.  The Church is known to be pro-life, and the Church also recognizes that life begins at the moment of conception.   We recognize this from the passage that Mary conceives her Son through the Holy Spirit.  The Incarnation does not begin at the birth of our Lord.  The Incarnation begins at the moment He enters the world in His mother’s womb.  Life, from the moment of conception, must be respected.  It is important to remember that, though we are against abortion, many men and women find themselves in difficult positions in their lives – positions that they do not see any other way out of other than through abortion.  I have spoken to some, and the grief and sorrow they feel can be a burden that is impossible to bear.  We as a Church must remember that though we are against abortion that these men and women who made the choice to have an abortion are human as well and in need of healing.  The Catholic ministry of Rachel’s Vineyard (rachelsvineyard.org) provides this beautiful ministry for those in need of this healing.

              When one reaches the end of their lives, one’s abilities become diminished or weakened and deserve special respect.  Those who are sick or handicapped persons should be helped to lead lives as normal as possible.  Euthanasia, or the direct action of ending a life of someone who is handicapped, sick, or dying, is not the solution.   The reason the Church is against the intentional ending of a life and the suffering of the life in this way is because our own Savior suffered and died for us.  Though it is terrible, it can be a source of uniting our suffering to His.  Those who are sick or handicapped can still live lives appropriate to their dignity in being created in the image of God.  For those who are dying, discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate.   Even if death is imminent, the use of painkillers to alleviate suffering can be morally comforting to the dignity of the person.  In saying all of this, end of life situations are never black and white.   For more guidance on this and other subjects, I encourage everyone to visit the National Catholic Bioethics Center website (ncbcenter.org).  They have many articles explaining a variety of issues related to health and the Catholic faith.

              The taking of one’s own life contradicts the natural inclination of the human person to preserve and perpetuate life.  Many things can tragically lead one into a situation that they cannot see any hope in their life anymore.  The Church does teach that suicide breaks this commandment, but we must remember that each soul is always entrusted to the mercy of God.  As the Catechism states, “we should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives.  By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance” (CCC 2283).  If we know someone who is considering suicide or oneself may be contemplating it, it is important to get help and know we are not alone.  A valuable source of help is the Nation Suicide Prevention Lifeline (suicidepreventionlifeline.org) at 1-800-273-8255. 

              Dignity for a person does not simply mean that we do not kill the person.  Dignity extends to showing each person the respect they deserve as being created in the image of God, even if the person cannot see that image in themselves.  Though not literally the meaning of the commandment, we can kill the soul of a person without ever harming their body.  How do we talk to others?  How do we support others?  When it is time for correction or criticism, do we tear the person apart or seek the betterment of the person?  Do we simply gossip behind the person’s back or seek to ruin the person’s reputation?  We must ponder these questions to seek to live out the commandments.

              When God commanded Israel to not kill, He was going beyond the basic understanding of not committing homicide.  He wanted them – and us – to recognize that all of us are created in His image, thus we each need to seek that image and aid others in that journey to reach our dignity as people.  Let us seek to build up the Body of Christ in respecting the lives of everyone we encounter.