The Gospel from Matthew 5:33-37
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.’
Is honesty always synonymous with integrity? The Gospel passage challenges this assumption and brings our attention to a profound truth: Integrity goes beyond truth-telling—it demands avoidance of manipulation and deceitful intent, even within the bounds of truth.
In the Gospel, Jesus invites us to practice consistency between our words and actions, revealing the essence of true integrity. It's not just about upholding the truth but also about allowing it to influence every aspect of our lives. This passage allowed me to recognize where I fell short of this ideal. I recall when an opportunity for personal gain clouded my judgment, tempting me to distort the truth. It was when I faced this uncomfortable reality that I understood the depth of this Gospel: true honesty involves aligning every word, action, and choice with God's unwavering truth.
Embrace the message of this Gospel by scrutinizing the sincerity behind your words. Resist the temptation to manipulate or distort truths for personal gain. When you say 'yes,' let it be a testament to your commitment, and when you say 'no’ let it reflect your firmness in upholding your principles.
"Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more is from the evil one." (Matthew 5:37).
Lord, empower us to echo your truth in everything we say.
“What God asks of us is prayer.”
- Fr. Hannibal Mary Di Francia
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