6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) - Matt 5: 33-37

16 snips

Feb 14, 2026

A focused look at Matthew 5:33–37 and how Jesus reframes oath-making and truthful speech. Background on Old Testament oath practices and first-century Jewish customs. Close reading of why substitutes for God fail and how oaths were ranked. A discussion of private everyday speech versus public oaths and connections to Catechism teaching.

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INSIGHT

From Oaths To Simple Truthfulness

Jesus contrasts old oath practices with a new standard of simple truthfulness for his followers.
The Sermon on the Mount reframes the Law by revealing God's ultimate intention for speech.

INSIGHT

Oaths Had Cheapened Everyday Speech

Jesus responds to an abuse where people only felt bound to tell the truth when they swore oaths.
This cultural practice cheapened ordinary speech and undermined sincere honesty.

INSIGHT

Law As Temporary Accommodation

Jesus treats some Torah permissions as temporary accommodations to human weakness.
He reveals God's ultimate will, calling disciples to a higher, interiorized righteousness.

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NOTE: The exegesis for today's episode only covers a portion of the gospel reading at today's Mass, which is much longer.

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Matthew 5: 17-37 - 'You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors, but I say this to you.'

Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraphs:

• 581 (in 'Jesus and the Law') - The Jewish people and their spiritual leaders viewed Jesus as a rabbi. He often argued within the framework of rabbinical interpretation of the Law. Yet Jesus could not help but offend the teachers of the Law, for he was not content to propose his interpretation alongside theirs but taught the people "as one who had authority, and not as their scribes". In Jesus, the same Word of God that had resounded on Mount Sinai to give the written Law to Moses, made itself heard anew on the Mount of the Beatitudes. Jesus did not abolish the Law but fulfilled it by giving its ultimate interpretation in a divine way: "You have heard that it was said to the men of old. . . But I say to you. . ." (abbreviated).

• 2153 (in 'Taking the Name of the Lord in Vain') - 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.

• 592 (in 'Jesus and Israel's faith in the one God and Saviour') - Jesus did not abolish the Law of Sinai, but rather fulfilled it (cf Mt 5:17-19) with such perfection (cf Jn 8:46) that he revealed its ultimate meaning (cf Mt 5:33) and redeemed the transgressions against it (cf Heb 9:15). • 2466 (in 'Living in the Truth') - In Jesus Christ, the whole of God's truth has been made manifest. "Full of grace and truth," he came as the "light of the world," he is the Truth. "Whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness." The disciple of Jesus continues in his word so as to know "the truth [that] will make you free" and that sanctifies. To follow Jesus is to live in "the Spirit of truth," whom the Father sends in his name and who leads "into all the truth." To his disciples Jesus teaches the unconditional love of truth: "Let what you say be simply 'Yes or No.'"

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