THE POWER OF COMMITMENT

READINGS: SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

The first reading on this 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Times, Year C, begins with this statement: “For Zion’s sake I will not be silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her vindication shines forth like the dawn and her victory like a burning torch” (Isaiah 61:1). Here, the prophet said that he will not give up and that nothing will stop him from achieving his determined goal—the vindication of Jerusalem. My friends, this is what commitment is all about— a determined pursuit of a goal, a dream, an objective with a consistent, persistent, and unyielding spirit, until the goal is reached or the result achieved.

My friends, life is full of dreams, hopes, and aspirations and the road to achieving them is rarely by magic. It is always a combination of determination, commitment, hard work, and prayer. Life is very unforgiving and rarely rewards anyone who wants to sit on the fence and live it on the margins. As Scripture says, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; so, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16). Our relationship with God, and life in general, cannot be successful if we take it on with an uncommitted spirit. Success is rarely an accident of history; it is mostly the result of a committed living; staying focused, loyal, and on point to what we said we are going to do, long after the mood in which we said it has passed.

There is a true difference between being involved and being committed, and that difference is like the difference between ham and eggs. When it comes to eggs, the chicken is involved; but when it comes to ham, the pig is committed. Commitment is about total involvement; holding nothing back, accepting no excuses; only results. It involves the little everyday choices we make in the pursuit of our dreams. Whether we are working toward a healthier diet, a more active lifestyle, better relationships, reducing stress, becoming a happier person, pursing a new career, or even more importantly, getting closer to God, our success starts with a commitment to ourselves to take little baby steps that would bring about the big goal. Those baby steps could be getting rid of those things that are holding us back from moving forward, the fears and inhibiting challenges that stand on the way, learning to stand firm in the face of “Nay Sayers” who are good at aborting dreams, or letting go of persons who are a drag to a future hope. Bottom-line, success is the fruit of commitment and the only one that holds the key for each of us is the self.