Rules of the Road
Jul
8
Written by:
Sunday, July 08, 2007
14th Sunday Ordinary Time
July 8, 2007
In light of the summer driving season, I want to share with you and unusual Vatican document called "The 10 Commandments of the Road." How we drive is an outward expression of who we are on the inside: how will you act when you are semi-anonymous and wield a certain amount of power?
The document points out that an automobile can actually be an occasion of sin, or, conversely, a source of blessing for others, depending on how we act.
While on vacation in Ohio I did quite a bit of driving in between various relatives' homes there. Some, I noticed, drove quite selfishly; many others were kind and patient. How do we use our precious and short gift of life? Selfishly, or with an eye toward kindness? Our driving habits give us a clue.
Father Gary
The Vatican's 10 Commandments of the Road
1. You shall not kill.
2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.
3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.
4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.
5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.
6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.
7. Support the families of accident victims.
8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.
9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.
10. Feel responsible toward others.