REFLECTIONS TODAY
An oath is a guarantee to the truthfulness of one’s statement. In the court of law, a witness is made to swear to tell “the truth, and nothing but the truth.” Originally, the oath formula had the character of conditionally cursing oneself if the statement should prove false. By calling on God as witness, a higher court of appeal and supposedly a sure sentence were provided. However, lying crept in the form of perjury, with the accompanying misuse of God’s name.
Perjury is severely punished. When the two elderly judges were exposed by Daniel for bearing false witness against the beautiful Susanna, the people convicted and put them to death (Dn 13:60-62).
Jesus forbids oaths in the name of God or in any other name — as swearing by the grave of one’s mother.
For Jesus, the oath infringes on God’s majesty and transcendence. No one can claim God as a witness or control him for one’s own purposes. The disciple must simply be truthful and trustworthy, especially in relationship with other people. He must be a person of his word. His whole life must be a witness to the truth. Resorting to swearing casts a shadow of doubt over his other words; therefore, it is “from the evil one.”
First Reading • 1 Kings 19:19-21
Elijah set out, and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat, as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak over him. Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please, let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and I will follow you.”
Elijah answered, “Go back! Have I done anything to you?” Elisha left him and, taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them; he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh, and gave it to his people to eat. Then he left and followed Elijah as his attendant.
Gospel • Matthew 5:33-37
Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the Evil One.
Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.