Episode Overview

Main Theme:
In Day 279 of The Catechism in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz explores the Catholic teaching on false oaths, focusing on what it means to take the Lord's name in vain as described in paragraphs 2150–2155 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Fr. Mike delves into the seriousness of invoking God's name in oaths, the sin of perjury, legitimate vs. illegitimate oaths, and the spiritual responsibility Catholics have to honor God's holiness in all speech.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Holiness of the Lord's Name (00:55–02:30)

• Recap of previous episodes: The Lord’s name is holy and must be treated with utmost respect.
• Introduction to today’s focus: The abuse of God's name through false oaths and what it means to take the Lord's name "in vain."

Quote:
“When someone says, you know, I said the name of God without meaning it… That’s kind of what in vain means.” — Fr. Mike (01:30)

2. Catechism Reading: The Gravity of False Oaths (02:35–06:20)

• Paragraphs 2150–2155:
  • To swear an oath is to invoke God as witness to the truth of one’s claim.
  • Calling God as a witness to a lie is a serious offense — perjury.
  • Oaths should only be made in truth, judgment, and justice (referencing Church tradition and Canon Law).
  • Illegitimate authorities or evil causes cannot rightly demand a true Christian oath.
• Scripture references:
  • Deuteronomy 6:13: “You shall fear the Lord your God, you shall serve him and swear by his name.”
  • Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount: “Let what you say be simply yes or no; anything more than this comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:33–37)

Quote:
“Perjury is a grave lack of respect for the Lord; of all speech, pledging oneself by oath to commit an evil deed is contrary to the holiness of the Divine Name.” — Fr. Mike, reading the Catechism (05:15)

3. What Is Truth? Why Does Perjury Matter? (06:21–09:20)

• Definition of truth: “Truth is what is.” Our speech must correspond to reality (to ‘what is’), and since God’s very nature is “I am who am,” to lie under oath is to set oneself against God.
• Emphasis on the seriousness: Calling upon God as a witness to a lie “is deadly” because it enlists God in untruth.
• Examples of perjury:
  • Invoking God in a promise you intend to break.
  • Swearing to commit an evil act.

Quote:
“All of our words have to be in line with the God who is truth. And that’s why false oaths are so, so deadly… we’re calling upon God to witness a lie.” — Fr. Mike (08:45)

4. Jesus, Oaths, and Church Interpretation (09:21–11:00)

• Jesus’ teaching seems to forbid all oaths, but Church tradition clarifies that serious oaths remain legitimate (e.g., in court), citing St. Paul’s own use of oaths.
• Christians must exercise “incredible discretion” in invoking God’s name — never for trivial or unjust matters.

Quote:
“St. Paul clarifies… there are good and right reasons for making an oath. In fact, St. Paul himself makes an oath.” — Fr. Mike (10:30)

5. Civil Authority, Unjust Oaths, and the Christian’s Duty (11:01–14:10)

• Illegitimate civil authority:
  • If an oath is demanded by an unjust authority or for unjust purposes, the Christian may—and sometimes must—refuse to swear.
• Story of St. Thomas More:
  • Fr. Mike relates More’s refusal to swear allegiance to King Henry VIII, even when pressured to do so just “in words” without sincerity.
  • Powerful metaphor: “When a man takes an oath, it’s like he’s holding himself, his very self in his hands like water… But if I were to take this oath without meaning it… I would lose my very self.”

Quote:
“We have to be so clear and so careful about to whom it is that we belong. Do we belong to the Lord or do we belong to the government?” — Fr. Mike (13:30)

6. The Heart of the Matter: Truth Itself and Truth Himself (14:11–15:00)

• Concluding emphasis: Catholics refuse false oaths not only out of respect for the abstract truth, but for the living Truth (Christ) whose name they invoke.
• Practical takeaway: Be vigilant and reverent when invoking God’s name, especially in oaths.

Quote:
“That’s the heart of it. Not only truth itself, right. But truth himself.” — Fr. Mike (14:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[T]aking the Lord’s Name in vain is simply taking the Lord’s Name without meaning it. Right? Without respect for the sacredness, the holiness… the sanctity of the Divine Name.” — Fr. Mike (06:40)
• “Truth simply can be defined in two words. Truth is what is.” — Fr. Mike (07:40)
• “We must never, ever take an oath like that. We must refuse… Not only for truth’s sake, but for the one who is the truth’s sake, right. For him whose name we invoke whenever we take an oath.” — Fr. Mike (13:55)
• “If that thing (authority) stands against human dignity, if it stands against ecclesial communion, we must never, ever take an oath like that.” — Fr. Mike (13:44)

Important Timestamps

• 00:55 – Fr. Mike introduces today’s theme: False oaths and the holiness of God’s name
• 02:35 – Reading of Catechism paragraphs 2150–2155
• 06:21 – Fr. Mike discusses the definition of truth and why perjury is serious
• 09:21 – Jesus’ teaching on oaths and the Church’s interpretation
• 11:01 – Illegitimate civil authority and the story of St. Thomas More
• 14:11 – Conclusion: Vigilance in invoking God’s name and the importance of remaining true

Episode Summary

In this episode, Fr. Mike unpacks the Catholic understanding of false oaths, explaining that to call God as a witness to a lie is a grave sin, undermining both truth and the holiness of God’s name. Citing Scripture, the Catechism, and examples from Church history—especially the story of St. Thomas More—Fr. Mike urges listeners to honor God’s presence in all their words and actions, taking oaths only for just reasons and never under compulsion from unjust authority. Truthfulness is not just a matter of speech, but a matter of fidelity to God, “who is Truth.”

Tomorrow’s episode will continue the discussion on the Lord’s name, focusing on how Christians bear God’s name in the world.