10th Week, Ordinary Time: Saturday, 15th June 2019 June 15, 2019
Reflection on the WORD
Oath-taking: In today’s Gospel, Jesus asserts that oath-taking is unnecessary. All we need to say is “Yes” or “No” and honour our deals with integrity. Insincerity is influenced by the Evil One, who wants to destroy the meaning, purpose of our lives, and more importantly our relationship with God.
Matthew 5:33-37
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have heard how it was said to our ancestors, You must not break your oath, but must fulfil your oaths to the Lord. But I say this to you, do not swear at all, either by heaven, since that is God's throne; or by earth, since that is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, since that is the city of the great King.
‘Do not swear by your own head either, since you cannot turn a single hair white or black. All you need say is "Yes" if you mean yes, "No" if you mean no; anything more than this comes from the Evil One.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- ●Jesus went beyond the boundaries of the Old Law by teaching that it is wrong to swear in any way.
- ●Jesus exhorts us to be openly truthful in our dealings with our neighbours: “Yes” means yes and “No” means no.
- ●Can we apply this good Christian practice of truthfulness and sincerity in our daily living? Can you think of one way of changing your attitude towards others so that this teaching of Christ can be more evident in your life?