HONOR YOUR YES

“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No;’ anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” — Matthew 5:37

When Rene and I got married, we said yes to God’s call to love each other and to be faithful to one another.

But before we could say yes to God’s call, we went through a marriage preparation process.

We discussed important topics that would affect our family should we get married. We needed to agree on things like where to spend Christmas, who will attend the school program of our would-be children, and how we will manage our finances, among others. Only upon agreeing on these things did we say we were ready for marriage.

The good thing about doing this beforehand is that when we have disagreements now that we’re married, we can go back to the things we agreed upon to resolve our conflicts. It became easier for us to honor the yes we said before God and not waver on this commitment. Rissa Espinosa (rissa_d_espinosa@yahoo.com)

Reflect: Have you made vows in your life? How do you honor them?

Father, may we learn to stand by the vow we make before You.

St. John Francis Regis, pray for us.

Elijah calls Elisha to be his apprentice and teaches him in the ways of a prophet. This is an important aspect of ministry – for one who is wise and experienced to mentor and guide a first timer in the ministry. Let us pray for the humility to accept the need to raise new leaders, new servants to continue the ministry.

1 Kings 19:19-21

19 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. 20 Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please, let me kiss my father and mother good-bye, and I will follow you.” Elijah answered, “Go back! Have I done anything to you?” 21 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.

P S A L M 

Psalm 16:1b-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10

R: You are my inheritance, O Lord.

1 Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;2  I say to the Lord, “My Lord are you.” 5 O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, it is you who hold fast my lot. (R) 7 I bless the Lord who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. 8 I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. (R) 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; 10 because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. (R)

GOSPEL 

We live ordinary lives and it is rare that we encounter an extreme or spectacular experience. Jesus encourages us in today’s Gospel to simply speak the truth. Superlatives can hide the real issue at stake and can muddle the truth. Let us be direct and address what needs to be addressed.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Incline my heart, O God, to your decrease; and favor me with your law.

Matthew 5:33-37

33 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. 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.”

Filipinos are well schooled when it comes to oath-taking. Many of us did it when we were inducted in the world of so-called professionals of whatever persuasion. People do it perfunctorily before taking office or assuming responsibility for anything that is held publicly accountable. We saw it repeatedly during the never-ending investigations-in-aid-of-legislation public hearings shown on national TV.  It became so frequent that it has almost become a national pastime.

“Walang labis, walang kulang” (no more, no less). That was the essence of the oath that was almost always mechanically done by all persons of interest, and almost always methodically broken by the very same resource persons. How many times have we seen those interesting persons take back their word uttered under oath, only to tell a newer version, again uttered under oath?

The Lord was right. Instead of swearing in God’s name or under any pretext, Christ counsels, “No oath whatsoever!” “Let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’” To avoid swearing falsely, avoid oaths altogether.

Today’s Gospel passage leads me to reflect on truth-telling. There is only one word in English for it, and that is veracity. But the focus of the word is telling truth as content, not telling truth as a process. One can be honest in telling the truth as content, while being untruthful in the process.

Swearing in God’s name lends a semblance of truthfulness in terms of process alright, but does it lead to real, genuine truth-telling? Walang labis; walang kulang nga ba? Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

------- REFLECTION QUESTIONS -------

How do you feel whenever you tell a lie? Does it bother your conscience at all?

Dearest God, You are the Truth. Help me to always live in the truth. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ___________________________________