God’s Living Word Today - Saturday, June 13, 2020

God’s Living Word Today - Saturday, June 13, 2020

[1 Kgs 19:19-21 and Matt 5:33-37]
"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. 

 JUNE 13th ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA Priest, Doctor of the Church who died in 1231 at the age of 36. He was from Lisbon and a member of the Order of Friars Minor, the Franciscans. He was a devoted student of scripture; the first friar to teach theology to his fellow friars. He was a gifted orator and preacher; known as the Evangelical Doctor. He is the patron saint of Portugal, of the poor, and of lost articles.

 We have seen and heard it a thousand times in courtroom scenes: "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"  Or we may have attended a ceremony where leadership of some kind is "sworn in." or watched the inauguration of a newly elected president of the USA or governor of the state as they take the oath of office.  We may not "swear" but "promise" (as in a wedding ceremony or religious profession) but the intended effect is the same:  we want someone or some group to believe that we will do what we say we will do.  Will we be "true" to our oath or promise?

     Jesus teaches us that an oath is only as good as the integrity of the person making the oath, so invoking some higher reality or penalty) as evidence of our intentions is unnecessary.  A plain "yes" or "no" means exactly that from a person with integrity.  "Lying under oath" is no different from lying any other way except that there may be some physical or spiritual penalty to serve as an incentive to tell the truth or keep the promise.  For the person of integrity, the incentive is unnecessary.

     The challenge can be a difficult one, if what is mentioned in the sacrament of reconciliation is any indication.  Lying can become an addiction and it can destroy a person's credibility and erode trust.  It matters not whether the statement or behavior is "a little white lie" or a serious misrepresentation.  The erosion takes place both inside the person and in their relationships with others.  It can be a useful spiritual exercise at the end of the day to ask if we have told the truth in our words and in our deeds.  Can we look at ourselves in the mirror without self-deception or look the Lord in the eye and say, "I told the truth."

Father Dennis