Reflection - Words

By Norm McGraw

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061122.cfm
Acts 11:21-26, 12:1-3
Matthew 5:33-37

The pair of readings this week contain two seemingly divergent subject matters. The first reading, from the Acts of the Apostles, recounts the Christian Barnabas being chosen to minister to the early followers. The second reading, from the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 5: 33-37), recounts Jesus’ preaching concerning swearing and using the name of God in vain from the Sermon on the Mount. 

My reflection will focus on the latter because it reminds me of two incidents that occurred when I was on vacation visiting two friends of mine, a happily married Catholic couple living in Colorado. This happened decades ago.

The wife of the couple was driving me somewhere when I accidentally banged my hand against something in the car. I reacted by shouting three words — “God,” followed by a stronger version of the word “darn,” followed by the word “it.” The wife responded by diplomatically asking me to not use that phrase, I uttered, in her presence. 

In retrospect, what you must understand is that at that time in my life I was an agnostic. While I felt there was something beyond death, I was unsure about the existence of a Supreme Being. To put it succinctly, I had lost the act of faith.

I recall that in that moment when I swore in her presence, I thought to myself that it was, “no big deal.” So, I told her that I wouldn’t use those words. After all, I thought, it was the least I could do out of common courtesy to a friend. 

However, a few days later, a similar incident occurred. I banged my hand again, I uttered the same words, and she responded the same way.

Mmm. I began to realize that it would be a little more difficult than I thought to refrain from my normal reaction of swearing when I felt pain or things didn’t go right for me.

It was after I returned from my vacation that I noticed that the wife’s comments about God began to make a subtle difference in my behavior of swearing as a normal reaction to pain or trouble. Not only was it poor manners to swear in front of others, but it also didn’t seem to be psychologically healthy to do so even if I was alone.

After all, if I bang my hand against an inanimate object, why should I be angry at a Supreme Being and not at my clumsiness? If something isn’t going right for me, why should I automatically blame God when it could just as easily be a misstep or poor decision I’ve made? 

So, I began catching myself when I would begin to swear. Eventually, I found that simply going into an empty room, closing the door, and letting out a primal scream (no words) was healthier that speaking the name of God in vain.

Ironically, as I stopped swearing, it became easier for me to see a path back to my faith in God.

But the best reason not to swear is given by Jesus himself in the reading highlighted today from the Gospel of Matthew (5: 33-37). Read the words slowly. They are compelling.

“You have heard that it is 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.”

In fact, by insulting God, wouldn’t you be playing into the hands of “the Evil One”— Satan?

If God is Omnipotent, why should you use the name of the One who created you in vain? If God is all knowing, why should you use the name of the One who knows more than you in disrespect? If God is all loving, why would you insult the name of the One you love most of all?

So, taking the name of God in vain is a big deal.

I wonder if Barnabas brought up this issue in his ministry to the early Christians.