Saturday 16 June

1 Kings 19:19-21, Psalm 16, Matthew 5:33-37

Taking an oath

For centuries it has been the custom to make a promise on something that is precious. Today the oath may be lightly made, or serious as in the courtroom swearing on the Bible. In Jesus’ time, however, this kind of swearing could be creative and colourful – on a prophet’s beard, a holy mountain or well, an angel, even one’s own head. But as always, Jesus takes us from superficial practice to deep truth. Why swear at all, when everything belongs to God? This brings me to my own concerns. What is simply surface trivia? What is spiritually meaningful?