The Gospel for Saturday of the tenth week in Ordinary Time is taken from Matthew 5, 33, 37. Jesus said to his disciples, you have heard that was said to your ancestors. Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all. Not by heaven, for it is God’s throne, nor by the earth, for it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black.

Let your yes mean yes and your no mean no. Anything more is from the evil one. Once again, Jesus makes it clear that we are not regulated by rules and regulations. We’re simply regulated by a spirit within us. And the spirit is the spirit of truth. He’s just saying, whenever you say yes to someone, you make a promise.

Keep it, mean it, and make clear that your intention is honest. It’s not something that you will follow through on because you have to, but because you want to. Please ponder this reflection and I’ll close with a prayer. The authenticity that you create for us through your spirit dwelling within us is such a great gift. Help us to be aware of it. Help us to turn to it as we struggle with our own human nature so that we can become more and more engaged in the divine nature that you share with us.

And we ask this in Jesus name, Amen.