The Ten Commandments.

The Ten Commandments are general guidelines for a good life.

They are not rigid rules to be punished if broken.

God is good.

And He does not punish us.

The first five commandments are about respecting God.

The second five commandments are about respecting others.

So Jesus' claim that to love God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your might is the first commandment encapsulates the first five commandments.

And his claim that to love your neighbor as yourself is the second commandment encapsulates the second five commandments.

When the crowd asked John the Baptist "What then must we do?" he responded with exhortations to honesty and sharing of possessions with the poor.

This was preparing the way for the full revelation of Jesus - that is the revelation of love.

So the Ten Commandments of Moses and the teachings of John the Baptist are general guidelines for the goodness that is a pre-requisite for our adoption.

They were never intended to be threats or liabilities. 

God is good.

And He wishes us to be good also.

But the marriage takes place in the sanctuary - the heart of hearts - and it is a sacrament of love.   

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