I swear

       

No doubt you have heard today's passage from Matthew many times. I can even recall some of the sermons that I have heard over the years in this regard. I have given it much thought. I have not however made a note of the last few lines which seemed to have escape me. The bulk of thought and reflection gets the attention of the first few sections. So what about swearing? What is it that makes it such an easy thing to do. You can swear by God, Jesus Christ , heaven or hell or just blurt out some expletive when something happens we are not happy with.

        We swear so easily I did a google search to find out why it is that we seem to blurt out these errant ejaculations. It is a habit for sure but it seems to serves a purpose. I want to make some sense of it in view of the holy person we remember today, Anna Julia Haywood Cooper. Anna was an amazing person of incredible intellect, great love and extraordinary accomplishments.  After reading about her life I began to wonder, did she swear? I mean, she was so accomplished and worked hard for God and humanity with such zeal that I don't think that she could possibly had the spare time to swear.

      Swearing it seems is some kind of biological or psychological relief valve. Like a steam system that might explode without an occasional release of pressure. Would we explode if we didn't swear? I have often used that thought process when I am driving among the numerous challenged drivers out there. I was told I might have a stroke if I didn't calm down. I am not one prone to aggressive driving, I'd note that if I didn't let off some steam from these idiots, then, then I might explode. Did God design us this way?

       When I think of Anna Julia then, I think maybe I have too much free time on my hands. Maybe I am focused on the wrong things in life when I find it necessary to swear at any given moment. I certainly accomplish less, focusing on negativity. What good comes from swearing? Focusing on the wrongs or errors? Dissing my God whom I profess to love?  Calling out innocent mistakes and putting focus on the wrong spots? It seems to me that I could be accomplishing so much more if I focused correctly , had a clearer heart and mind. That's it, a clearer heart and mind. If we spend our time in the service of God, ourselves and others, perhaps we will have less time to be going about swearing with no purpose except to misdirect our lives into wrongful behaviour, wasted efforts.  Just some thoughts this bright sunny morning.

Matthew 5:27-37

 ‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.” But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.

 ‘It was also said, “Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.” But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

 ‘Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.” But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be “Yes, Yes” or “No, No”; anything more than this comes from the evil one.