Daily Catholic Lectio
Sat, 14 June 2025
Tenth Week in Ordinary Time – Saturday
2 Corinthians 5:14-21. Matthew 5:33-37
Integrity of Speech
“Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.” (Mt 5:37)
As Jesus teaches His disciples in the Sermon on the Mount that their righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, He moves from actions to attitudes. Today’s focus is on the virtue of truthful speech, or what we may call “speech integrity.”
Referring to the commandment “Do not swear falsely,” Jesus challenges the practice of swearing oaths to bolster the credibility of one’s words. In swearing, one appeals to something or someone greater—God, the temple, the altar, heaven, the king—to validate their claim. But Jesus cautions: we have no ultimate control even over our own heads, much less over what we invoke. Therefore, the need to swear an oath betrays a lack of rootedness in truth, and an effort to impress or manipulate others.
Jesus teaches that truthful and modest speech spares us from the falsehood and manipulation that oaths often conceal. Speak clearly, speak simply, and stand by your words—nothing more is needed.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that taking an oath invokes God’s name, and if broken, it becomes blasphemous (CCC 2148). Oaths must be made with intention to fulfil them. When broken, they bring dishonour not only on the speaker, but on the One in whose name it was sworn.
The rash vow of Jephthah (Judges 11:29–40), which tragically cost the life of his only daughter, and Herod’s foolish oath that led to the beheading of John the Baptist (Mark 6:17–29), stand as biblical warnings about the danger of careless speech.
In our age of constant talk and endless writing, restraint in speech is a mark of wisdom. Simple, direct, and sincere words carry the greatest weight. In Hebrew, the word dabar means both “word” and “action.” A word that has no impact or consequence is merely noise.
Ecclesiastes also cautions: “When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfil your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfil it.” (Eccl 5:4–5)
Let us then embrace the spiritual discipline of honest, simple, and faithful speech—words that flow from hearts rooted in truth and peace.
Fr Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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