1,414 total reads
Gospel Reading for June 15, 2024 – Matthew 5: 33-37
OF NO USE
Jesus said to his disciples: “You hear 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.
————
What gives importance to a wedding vow? It is not what is said in the vow but it is the living out of the vow. We can even recite the vow daily, but if it is not lived out, what’s the use? What gives importance to a solemn oath with your hand on the Bible before testifying in court? It is not what one will say but if the one testifying will tell the truth. Otherwise, the testimony even if under oath, is OF NO USE.
Come to think of it, do we really need vows or oaths? Perhaps, it is more of a formality or an assurance. When we are TRUE, our “yes” will always mean “yes” and our “no” will always mean “no.” Our relationship with God should never be anything but TRUE. Otherwise, it is OF NO USE.
Lord God, help us to remain TRUE to you and to others, all the days of our lives!
