Simplicity in Commitments

SIMPLY SAY "YES" IF YOU MEAN YES.
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'All you need say is "Yes" if you mean yes, "No" if you mean no; 

anything more than this comes from the Evil One. 

- Matthew 5:37

Commitment is making a promise, pledge, undertaking, or binding one to an obligation, etc. It requires great responsibility of being fulfilled especially when made under oath or strengthened by swearing. 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states,

"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." [CCC 2153].

It is stated in 2149,

"Oaths which misuse God's name, though without the intention of blasphemy, show lack of respect for the Lord."

also in 2150,

"The Second commandment forbids false oaths. Taking an oath or swearing is to take God as witness to what one affirms. it is to invoke the divine truthfulness as a pledge of one's truthfulness. An oath engages the Lord's name."

and in 2152,

"A false oath calls on God to be witness to a lie."

Though it is not completely forbidden to make oaths when necessary such as in the court of justice when an oath is required and the divine name is used as a witness in truth, in judgment and in justice [2154]. But making an oath may be refused when it is required by illegitimate civil authorities or when it is for purposes contrary to the dignity of persons or to ecclesial communion [2155].

Therefore as Christians, children of God who ought to respect God's name and truthfulness, we must avoid making oaths unless necessary as mentioned above. Moreover, after making the oath, we must remember that it requires that we perform it for the purpose of shedding light upon the truth, helping in coming out with the proper judgement, and in the dispensation of full justice.

In most cases, we must simply say "Yes" if we really commit ourselves to do something or mean to fulfill an agreement, and "No" if we cannot commit or agree to something. Many times we take for granted the significance of swearing or making oaths. But remember that such a lack of proper regard for oaths, a holy man lost his head [see Death of John the Baptizer, Matthew 14: 3-12]. For we often had to fulfill even the most unacceptable and unnecessary oath or promise just to keep our honor or dignity in the eyes of men though we may not be that honorable or dignified in the eyes of God.

By having simplicity in our commitments, we free ourselves from the burden and complexity of oaths. It does not mean that we should not honor our commitment. We are always bound to honor commitments. Important thing is that when the necessity of breaking the commitment comes, one cannot be made liable to perform the commitment when the continued fulfillment of such commitment would result to a greater mistake, error or evil, especially when it is an irreparable one. Just like what happened to the Baptizer. The king wanted to avoid fulfilling his promise to Salome for he liked John so much. especially when John speaks, but he was bound by his oath which he doesn't want to break because of the presence of his important guests. Surely, the loss of an earthly kingdom is more acceptable to God than the death of even a single person. The king would have been considered unhonorable by his guests if he broke the promise; but he would have made a closer step to God.

So let us make it as simple as saying "Yes" when we mean to do, fulfill, agree; and "No" if we do not. Let us avoid unnecessary complexities that oaths and swearing bring. In this manner, we