From: Matthew 5:33-37

Jesus and His Teaching, the Fulfillment of the Law (Continuation)

(Jesus said to His disciples,) [33] “Again you have heard that it was said to the
men of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you
have sworn.’ [34] But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by Heaven, for it is
the throne of God, [35] or by the earth, for it is His footstool, or by Jerusalem, for
it is the city of the great King. [36] And do not swear by your head, for you can-
not make one hair white or black. [37] Let what you say be simply, ‘yes’ or ‘no’;
anything more than this comes from evil.”

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Commentary:

33-37. The Law of Moses absolutely prohibited perjury or violation of oaths (Exo-
dus 20:7; Numbers 30:3; Deuteronomy 23:22). In Christ’s time, the making of
sworn statements was so frequent and the casuistry surrounding them so intri-
cate that the practice was being grossly abused. Some rabbinical documents
of the time show that oaths were taken for quite unimportant reasons. Parallel
to this abuse of oath-taking there arose no less ridiculous abuses to justify non-
fulfillment of oaths. All this meant great disrespect for the name of God. How-
ever, we do know from Sacred Scripture that oath-taking is lawful and good in
certain circumstances: “If you swear, ‘As the Lord lives’, in truth, in justice, and
in uprightness, then nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him shall
they glory (Jeremiah 4:2).

Jesus here lays down the criterion which His disciples must apply in this connec-
tion. It is based on re-establishing, among married people, mutual trust, nobility
and sincerity. The devil is “the father of lies” (John 8:44). Therefore, Christ’s
Church must teach that human relationships cannot be based on deceit and in-
sincerity. God is truth, and the children of the Kingdom must, therefore, base
mutual relationships on truth. Jesus concludes by praising sincerity. Throughout
His teaching He identifies hypocrisy as one of the main vices to be combatted
(cf., e.g., Matthew 23:13-32), and sincerity as one of the finest virtues (cf. John
1:47).

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Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

Readings at Mass

First reading

1 Kings 19:19-21 ©

Leaving Mount Horeb, Elijah came on Elisha son of Shaphat as he was ploughing behind twelve yoke of oxen, he himself being with the twelfth. Elijah passed near to him and threw his cloak over him. Elisha left his oxen and ran after Elijah. ‘Let me kiss my father and mother, then I will follow you’ he said. Elijah answered, ‘Go, go back; for have I done anything to you?’ Elisha turned away, took the pair of oxen and slaughtered them. He used the plough for cooking the oxen, then gave to his men, who ate. He then rose, and followed Elijah and became his servant.

Psalm

Psalm 15:1-2,5,7-10 ©

You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.

I say to the Lord: ‘You are my God.’

O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;

it is you yourself who are my prize.

You are my inheritance, O Lord.

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,

who even at night directs my heart.

I keep the Lord ever in my sight:

since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.

You are my inheritance, O Lord.

And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;

even my body shall rest in safety.

For you will not leave my soul among the dead,

nor let your beloved know decay.

You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

Ps118:18

Alleluia, alleluia!

Open my eyes, O Lord, that I may consider

the wonders of your law.

Alleluia!

Or	Ps118:36,29

Alleluia, alleluia!

Bend my heart to your will, O Lord,

and teach me your law.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You have learnt 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 the 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.’