Developing a sense of commitment

‘We need to inculcate this sense of commitment among the youth since they are the ones most affected by the current prevailing environment

of disloyalty, infidelity and promiscuity. Some have gone to the extent of equating being non-committed with being free,

when in fact being noncommitted can only make them held captive and enslaved by

self-seeking forces.’

We need to develop the sense of commitment in everyone, and especially among the young ones. It's what is proper to us, for it shows we are true to our words, following what Christ once said: "Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' (Mt 5,37)

For sure, we are capable of entering into a commitment, because we have both the intelligence and will that will enable us to know what we are committing ourselves into and to want it for good or for a time, irrespective of the changing circumstances and developments that may be propitious or not to us.

Entering into commitment can only show determination on the part of the one assuming it, a determination that can only spring from love, from one's self-giving to another.

It is a promise that is taken very seriously, just like what a marrying couple would promise to each other on their wedding day-"to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."

As such, a commitment can truly be considered as proper when it is inspired by God's love, since it is God's love that is its source and pattern. God is always faithful to us, as can be gleaned from the Book of Lamentations:

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness." (3,22-23)

And even if we are unfaithful to God, God will still be faithful to us, as St. Paul tells us in his Letter to the Romans: "What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God?" (3,3)

We need to inculcate this sense of commitment among the youth since they are the ones most affected by the current prevailing environment of disloyalty, infidelity and promiscuity. Some have gone to the extent of equating being non-committed with being free, when in fact being non-committed can only make them held captive and enslaved by self-seeking forces.

We have to convince them that this is the way to their true happiness and their human maturity and Christian perfection. It is a way for them to develop authentic virtues. A person who is afraid or who refuses to enter into commitment ends up being wishy-washy. He is an unreliable person.

We have to reassure them that entering into commitment will not make them rigid persons. Neither will it curtail their freedom. In fact, the contrary is true. Entering into commitment enhances and facilitates their freedom, since it will help them to attain the goal of their commitment despite changing circumstances.

If entered into out of love of God, there will never be regrets. Even if the outcome may appear to be disadvantageous, such disadvantage will only be apparent and would only be so if seen in purely human and worldly terms. In the eyes of God, such commitment can only be good to us irrespective of worldly and temporal consequences.