1 Kings 19:19-21 / Matthew 5:33-37
When it comes to making appointments, there is a time that we need to keep.
Yet when it comes to keeping the time for the appointment, how do we fare in being early, and in time, and being late?
If we are often late for appointments and meetings, then we have to ask ourselves if we are serious with our words and with what we say.
So if we agree to a time for a meeting or appointment, and we don't keep to it as in that we are often late, then how about making promises and oaths?
If we cannot keep to our words in small things, then how sure are we that we will keep to our words in big things?
That is what Jesus is highlighting in today's gospel - whether we make a commitment to God or to man, we must be serious about it.
Being serious about our commitment does not just reflect our character.
It is also an indication that the love of Christ has overwhelmed us, and that we no longer live for ourselves but for Him who died and was raised to life for us.
So keeping to our words has a spiritual dimension - it shows that we are a new creation in Christ. The old creation is gone and it is all God's work.
Yes, it was God who was committed to saving us in Jesus Christ. Let us also be committed in being faithful to Him.