Jesus said to his disciples:
Matthew 5:33-37
“You have heard that it 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.”
The single most important shift I have experienced in my relationship with God, the deepest transformation I have received in my prayer is connected to today’s Gospel passage…
I am not the Center of the universe. I do not and cannot ever understand what life is all about. Relying on my powers of understanding has led me repeatedly down a dead-end street.
And God said to me on one quiet day of retreat, “I know. Only I know.”
Those words have changed my life.
Someone who swears something on oath is basically exhibiting their reliance on their own personal power of making sense of the world. One who swears an oath manipulates words to convince others of their own version of what is real, true, or good. Perhaps their version does correspond to what is real, but most of us have to admit we have only a slight comprehension of the total picture of anything that concerns us or the world. In an almost idolatrous way, the one who swears an oath proclaims, “I know. Only I know.”
In this passage Jesus says that the vast reaches of the cosmos should give a person pause. The wonder that the universe should spark in our heart should humble us to realize our own impotence and dependence on the Creator.
God knows all things. Only God knows what is true, what is really happening. God alone can see how everything is connected and how all things participate in a mysterious way in the overflowing of his loving wisdom that guides all things. We can simply and sincerely only attempt to understand all that is unfolding.
Before the glory of heavens and the beauty of earth, therefore, I can only humbly bow. I can leave God free. I can leave others free. I can entrust myself to him, holding nothing back. I am secure enough to let things be.
Because of this transformation, I can examine my words. Are they manipulative? Are they pressured? Are they self-oriented? Am I inwardly disturbed?
Or are my words simple? Are they free? Are they trusting? Am I at peace?
Image: Noel Bauza via Pixabay
Praying with this Passage of Scripture
Lectio Divina is a way of listening to God as he speaks in his Word. It is a practice of communicating with God through Scripture and attending to God’s presence and what he wishes to tell us. In this slow and prayerful reading of the Word of God, we allow ourselves to be transformed by the Spirit who forms us into the image of Christ. There are four movements in Lectio Divina: Read (lectio), Meditate (meditation), Pray (oratio), Contemplate (contemplation).
Begin by finding a still space to pray. Breathe deeply and become quieter within. Abandon any agenda, worries or thoughts you bring to this prayer and entrust these things to the merciful care of God. Ask for the grace to be receptive to what God will speak to you through this Scripture reading. Grant me, Jesus Divine Master, to be able to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God and your unfathomable riches. Grant that your word penetrate my soul; guide my steps, and brighten my way till the day dawns and darkness dissipates, you who live and reign forever and ever Amen.
Read (lectio)
Begin by slowly and meditatively reading your Scripture passage out loud. Listen for a particular word or phrase that speaks to you at this moment and sit with it for a time.
Pray (oratio)
Read the text a third time. Listen for what God is saying to you. Speak heart to heart with God. Notice the feelings that this conversation with God raises up within you. Share with God what you notice about your response to this conversation. You may wish to return to repeating the phrase quietly and gently, allowing it to permeate you more and more deeply.
Contemplate (contemplatio)
Read the text a final time. Now be still and rest in God’s embrace. Ask God to give you a gift to take with you from this prayer. You might ask God if he is inviting you to do some action, for instance, make some change in your thoughts, attitudes or reactions, in the way you speak or how you treat others. Thank God for this gift and invitation as you conclude your prayer.
Image: Myriams-Fotos; pixabay.com
Touching the Sunrise 