Commentary of the Gospell

The Power of Simple Words

Friends, have you ever noticed how our lives are shaped by the words we speak? Our promises, our oaths—they carry weight. But let’s explore a different perspective today. Let’s not focus on fancy promises; instead, let’s appreciate the strength of being simple.

Jesus begins by acknowledging the ancient practice of making oaths. People would swear by heaven, earth, or even their own heads. He challenges us: Why complicate things? Jesus reminds us that all these grandiose oaths are meaningless in comparison to simple honesty.

When someone lacks confidence in what they say, they might feel compelled to make an oath, or others might push them to do so if there is a lack of trust. The remedy for a lack of confidence and trust is simple honesty. We should say «yes» when we mean it and «no» when we mean it.

The Gospel accounts recorded the evil impact of an oath that resulted in the death of John the Baptist. A drunken Herod swears to give anything, including half of his kingdom, to an immature adolescent daughter. Exploiting the man’s oath, the cunning mother of the girl gets John the Baptist killed. Elaborate oaths can lead us astray, causing confusion, broken trust, and sometimes irreparable damage.

As we step into this day, let us remember that our words do matter. Be a person of integrity—someone whose ‘yes’ carries weight and whose ‘no’ is unwavering. Let simplicity be our strength, and watch how it transforms our relationships, our work, and our soul.