Swearing on the Bible

[bmullins]

Oh! OK, thank you. I thought perhaps you meant I misheard or misunderstood something that went on during the deposition.

Thanks. I’m still looking for the gospel.

It wasn’t the Gospel quote from Mathew that I quoted above?

Mathew 5:33-37 -* Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.*

 

[Bookcat]

Catechism:

2153 In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explained the second commandment: “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.’ But I say to you, Do not swear at all… Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.” Jesus teaches that every oath involves a reference to God and that God’s presence and his truth must be honored in all speech. Discretion in calling upon God is allied with a respectful awareness of his presence, which all our assertions either witness to or mock.

2154 Following St. Paul, The tradition of the Church has understood Jesus’ words as not excluding oaths made for grave and right reasons (for example, in court). “An oath, that is the invocation of the divine name as a witness to truth, cannot be taken unless in truth, in judgment, and in justice.”

2155 The holiness of the divine name demands that we neither use it for trivial matters, nor take an oath which on the basis of the circumstances could be interpreted as approval of an authority unjustly requiring it. When an oath is required by illegitimate civil authorities, it may be refused. It must be refused when it is required for purposes contrary to the dignity of persons or to ecclesial communion.

 

[LittleSoldier]

It wasn’t the Gospel quote from Mathew that I quoted above?

Mathew 5:33-37 -* Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.*

It didn’t sound right. It didn’t seem to me that it was part of the gospel read during Mass. But although I’ve found a few other places in the bible where it is discussed, Matthew seems to be the closest and it is certainly clear that nowhere does it state “Do not swear on the name of the Lord” or anything like it. It DOES say “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’” and I seem to remember that being part of the gospel, although not in those words.

I’d say I concede except that I do so not unwillingly but willingly. My concern is to be obedient to God and to understand His teachings.

I think I was wrong.

Thanks for your help. I’d like to say I’m rarely confused but that would definitely be a lie.

 

[LittleSoldier]

Catechism:

2153 In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explained the second commandment: “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.’ But I say to you, Do not swear at all… Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.” Jesus teaches that every oath involves a reference to God and that God’s presence and his truth must be honored in all speech. Discretion in calling upon God is allied with a respectful awareness of his presence, which all our assertions either witness to or mock.

2154 Following St. Paul, The tradition of the Church has understood Jesus’ words as not excluding oaths made for grave and right reasons (for example, in court). “An oath, that is the invocation of the divine name as a witness to truth, cannot be taken unless in truth, in judgment, and in justice.”

2155 The holiness of the divine name demands that we neither use it for trivial matters, nor take an oath which on the basis of the circumstances could be interpreted as approval of an authority unjustly requiring it. When an oath is required by illegitimate civil authorities, it may be refused. It must be refused when it is required for purposes contrary to the dignity of persons or to ecclesial communion.

I’m almost positive now that I was wrong. I think what the Church is saying is that if one swears an oath on God one had better be sure that only truth is spoken. Otherwise, one is in a lot of trouble.

But still, it says “Do not swear at all… Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.” So should I be swearing an oath at all? Ever?

Please let me think on this for awhile.