SATURDAY JUNE 15, 2024
SATURDAY OF THE TENTH WEEK OF THE YEAR B
1 Kings 19:19-21
Matthew 5 :33-37
THE HALLMARK OF THE LIFE IN CHRIST IS HONESTY, TRUTHFULNESS AND JUSTICE
The heart of man can be deceptive and cunning. The only to elicit man’s truth, honest and just nature is by taking oath. And in oath taking which had been with man, and humans, there is the use of the name of God, or the use of one of those considered sacred carriers that creates fear and awe in the psychic of man.
In these cases, Jesus comes with a new moral code for all his faithful believers. His teaching is that we should build our character and life in honesty, truthfulness and integrity. That anything short of these can be considered sinful and suspicious in the eyes of God.
The gospel of today therefore encourages us to desist from either directly using the name of God in oath taking to establish our truthfulness, honesty and integrity especially when we want to deceive or become false because it offends the commandments of God. That we must honour the name of God and must not use his name in vain.
So it is an offense to God when we use God’s name to support a false claim or promises wrongly intended especially when it is wrongly intended we are lying and not telling the truth.
The second offense again God is using his created sacred things to support a false claim too. Like the use of sacred things like heaven, our head or things or object that carry the presence of God to make a false claim.
For Jesus, the only attitude expected of a Christian is truthfulness, honesty and integrity. This is the new moral code every Christian must aspire to uphold and live with.
But in actual fact, we still take oaths of office, we take oaths in our courts, even as religious and priests, in assumption of offices and in declaration of our membership of organization or society and other situations. Are these not a violation of the new code of Christian ethics?
There is a greater understanding when it comes to oath taking in the church or public sphere. Oath taking is more about human commitment, dedication but with a twist of asking for divine help in assigned roles and responsibilities. It is not purely a question of using the name of God in vain or supporting our claims with God’s name as it may seem. But it is rather, a wishful and prayerful submission in faith of one desire to uphold a certain task or responsibility humanly possible with total commitment of oneself but expecting divine grace and intervention to be fully supportive. That is why we state our desire and then request the help and support of divine authority by saying “so help me God.”
There are two things at plat in oath taking. First, it is serious promise on the part of man, or an assertive witnessing before God of one’s truthfulness, sincerity and integrity yet it is on the part of God, a plead for divine support and enablement to keep to this well intended intention.
Here it is taken for granted that we have understood and know the importance, enormity and intricacies of the responsibility one wants to undertake but we just seek divine strength and support to be able to accomplish our desired goal.
In this case, what we express is our faith in God’s help and strength, and our honest, truthful and passionate desire to accomplish such and what we have committed to God willingly, faithfully and sincerely. It is a human way of looking up to God and holding fast to our intentions and desires. This is the new mode that humanity and Christianity used to establish one in office or assign role. We do not demand death, punishment or justice but just God’s abiding support to our sincere, truthful and honest human endeavour.
Heavenly Father, we come to you in our oath taking trusting in your divine intervention to accomplish our sincere desires. Support us by your grace. May we uphold integrity, truthfulness and honesty as we strive to do your will and carry out our duties and responsibilities. Bless us and guide us in the right way and never allow us to derail or make mockery of your name through Christ our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
