r sense to hear
us.

Q. 1216. {344} Why do we pray before the crucifix and the images and
relics of the saints?
A. We pray before the crucifix and the images and relics of the saints
because they enliven our devotion by exciting pious affections and
desires, and by reminding us of Christ and of the saints, that we may
imitate their virtues.

LESSON THIRTY-SECOND.
FROM THE SECOND TO THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT.

Q. 1217. {345} What is the second Commandment?
A. The second Commandment is: Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord
thy God in vain.

Q. 1218. What do you mean by taking God's name in vain?
A. By taking God's name in vain I mean taking it without reverence, as
in cursing or using in a light and careless manner, as in exclamation.

Q. 1219. {346} What are we commanded by the second Commandment?
A. We are commanded by the second Commandment to speak with reverence of
God and of the saints, and of all holy things, and to keep our lawful
oaths and vows.

Q. 1220. Is it sinful to use the words of Holy Scripture in a bad or
worldly sense?
A. It is sinful to use the words of Holy Scripture in a bad or worldly
sense, to joke in them or ridicule their sacred meaning, or in general
to give them any meaning but the one we believe God has intended them to
convey.

Q. 1221. {347} What is an oath?
A. An oath is the calling upon God to witness the truth of what we say.

Q. 1222. How is an oath usually taken?
A. An oath is usually taken by laying the hand on the Bible or by
lifting the hand towards heaven as a sign that we call God to witness
that what we are saying is under oath and to the best of our knowledge
really true.

Q. 1223. What is perjury?
A. Perjury is the sin one commits who knowingly takes a false oath; that
is, swears to the truth of what he knows to be false. Perjury is a crime
against the law of our country and a mortal sin before God.

Q. 1224. Who have the right to make us take an oath?
A. All persons to whom the law of our country has given such authority
have the right to make us take an oath. They are chiefly judges,
magistrates and public officials, whose duty it is to enforce the laws.
In religious matters bishops and others to whom authority is given have
also the right to make us take an oath.

Q. 1225. {348} When may we take an oath?
A. We may take an oath when it is ordered by lawful authority or
required for God's honor or for our own or our neighbor's good.

Q. 1226. When ma