Please read this passage before reading this homily.
Do you know that if you have to confirm your statements by an oath, you are outside your community because you do not trust the community or the community does not trust you. If you were a member of the community, you would not need to swear to the truthfulness of what you say. When you say, “to tell the truth”, “honestly”, “I swear to God”, and similar things, you can give the impression that at times you do not tell the truth. To your sisters and brothers, to your family, to your community, your word should suffice.
Our civil society, much as we should like to consider it as a community, treats us as non-members. It requires oaths and threats of prosecution for perjury before it accepts our word. It demands proof that we can be trusted. In this it is lacking something necessary for a community.
There is lack of trust among nations, allies and enemies alike: we use spies to keep check on each other. There is lack of trust within our nation: our major parties, for example, do not share knowledge. There is lack of trust among us: we are wary of others taking advantage of us.
If “Yes” always means “Yes”, and “No” always means “No”, then we can have community. In community, we need not say, “This time I am telling the truth”; or “This time I am not lying.” Truth builds community and community demands truth. There is no condemnation in truth. Let us build up community among ourselves and nations.