Men's Rosary

Commitment.  An interesting word to say the least.  This can mean being bound by a pledge or promise, such as financial obligations or business and social responsibilities.  It can also be seen a dedication to a cause, sport, hobby, workout routine and many other things.  The commitment to things in all these categories can be seen to varying degrees.  The measure of this commitment can be found in the amount of esteem individuals are held in, a person’s or business’ credit report, the level of success in sports and hobbies and the physical appearance of a person.  This is fine, but it is not the most important commitment.

Commitment in the biblical sense is entrusting oneself to God.  “Let me hear in the morning of thy steadfast love, for in thee I put my trust.”  (Psalms 143:8)  This is what will give us true happiness.  The benefits cannot be measured by earthly means.  This is why the secular world does not grasp it.  We have become accustomed to instant measures of our actions.  A like or thumbs up on social media seems to be more important….because everyone can see it!  It is a very narcissistic way of living.  True commitment, entrusting ourselves to God, is an emptying of self, acknowledgement of our weakness and nothingness and realizing that it is only through Him that we are complete. “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.”  (Deuteronomy 6:5)

To be entrusting ourselves to God we must be committed to prayer, to fasting and abstinence, to almsgiving, to the spiritual and corporal works of mercy, and to living the Beatitudes.  This means we need to take time to examine our consciences and determine how we are doing with this.  I for one, can be found wanting in these areas.  The important thing though, is to recognize the shortcomings and asking for God’s grace to do better.  Worldly commitment will bring anxiety and stress.  Even when things seem “good” they are not really “good” outside of God.  Biblical commitment will bring about peace and contentment in all things and true happiness.  “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.  And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:8) 

We should practice detachment by not being so committed to worldly things and attach ourselves more to Christ.  Unfortunately, the things people hold so dear to themselves in the temporal order do nothing to help them in times of real need or in advancing in the spiritual order.  Being detached from the world and attached to Christ makes everything, the good and the bad, something incredibly valuable to our soul and imperative in finding our way to heaven.  Some crosses are light and some will be heavy, but they will all be good for us.  By lifting heavier weight, we build more muscle!

When we embrace biblical commitment, when we entrust ourselves to God, we can then lead our families well.  We can serve our parishes and Church more completely.  When we are committed to our faith, we become whole.  When we truly entrust ourselves to God, we can have Christ with us in every step through life.  We cannot fail.  “For with God nothing will be impossible.”  (Luke 1:37)

“Anxiety is the greatest evil that can befall a soul except sin.  God commands you to pray, but He forbids you to worry.”  (St. Francis de Sales)