STAND BY YOUR COMMITMENT

Has commitment become a cheap word nowadays? We heard recently how couples broke their relationship after months of being together or being married. We read the stories of Miley Cyrus and her husband who had separated after less than a year of being married. We have some brothers who sought dispensation from their vow after only six months in their profession. In the Philippines, 53% of Filipinos agree to legalize divorce, a manifestation of the loss of faith in the capacity of couples to make life-long pledges through marriage.

Marriage is a lifelong commitment. This is also true to the things with which we pledge ourselves, may it be religious professions or otherwise. Marriage and other decisions we make in life are not like hot meals we place in our mouth and when we get burnt we spit it out (Ang pag-aasawa ay hindi parang kaning isusubo at iluluwa pag napaso). Thus, we can commit ourselves first by knowing what we are committing ourselves with. We have courtship and formation periods to discern carefully if we are fit to make such commitment with them. Careful diligence on our part is required before making any commitment. Jesus said, "not all can accept this word," referring to the demands of marriage. Thus, we have to know ourselves whether we are capable of doing such promises and vows, whether this vocation has been granted to us. Only then can we make a lifelong commitment. As we come to know our capacity to take such a vocation, we ought to accept it.

The Lord showed this kind of commitment when He fulfilled His promise to Abraham and the Hebrews that land flowing with milk and honey will be given to them. Though many times throughout their relationship the Hebrews transgressed Him and broke their vows to Him, the Lord remained faithful and merciful to them, for He knows Himself and His people wholly. Knowing that the Lord is committed totally to their cause, even amid their suffering as a consequence of their transgressions, the Hebrews can still exclaim: His mercy endures forever. The Lord puts to completion whatever He promises to His people, after all, He is our God who is totally committed to us.

Commitments are strengthened by our constant self-offering and self-sacrifice. More than focusing on what one can gain, a life of commitment directs a person on the things and opportunities where he can give. If God thought of Himself alone and the exercise of His omnipotence, He could have abandoned His stubborn people long ago. But because He is decided to lead them to become better persons, He gave everything to them, even His only begotten Son. By giving our whole self, we manifest our total commitment. Kahit mapaso tayo, paninindigan natin ang pinili nating isubo. We make sacrifices for our commitments. A lady and a gentleman give up their status as bachelorette and bachelor so that they may assume the responsibility of being spouses to one another and being parents to their children. Young men give up the prospect of marriage and of having their own family upon entering the priesthood, so that they may administer dedicatedly to the families, students, and ministries entrusted to them.  

As we make our stand for the commitments we make, the good news is, the Lord is with us, accompanying and assisting us so that we may put to completion the good things He has begun in us.