Commitment

The other day David, my nephew, and Tweety, his wife, exchanged marriage vows with their chosen sponsors and witnesses. The ceremony always brings back the celebration of our own marriage and the passing of time has revealed how we have lived up to, or otherwise, to the commitments we then exchanged. Our own personal history of marriage brings forth best wishes of happiness and success to the newly married couple.

The life-long commitment made is a life changer as one accepts the responsibility of being a life partner to another. Those who are struggling to make their marriage work are personally defining in living terms their grasp of martyrdom, sacrifice, humility and true love. The difficulties and/or challenges in the relationship with a spouse or what my pastor groups in horizontal relationships usually encourages one to find help and answers in a healthier vertical relationship with the Almighty. For those who believe, indeed, the vertical relationship influences our horizontal relationships and how we carry on with our interpersonal relationships reflects our faith.

Interestingly, as well as, amusingly the political aspirations and interests for 2013 and 2016 have began to surface and commitments are being made to partnerships, alliances and political parties. In Oriental Negros, we now have three declared aspirants for the Office of the Governor and political line of connections to other political leaders are now becoming more evident. In the national scene, the news and statements of political figures are drawing the political groupings with Vice President Binay very prominent and crystal clear in his intention of becoming the next President of the country. On the other side, the statement of Secretary Mar Roxas of having plans to run for President has provided the Vice President reason to call Secretary Roxas a hypocrite. This reveals the character of the man who wants to be President.

Meanwhile, we take the time to listen and observe the various personalities further reveal themselves and make their commitments to our country and our community. Before we make our commitment to support their political aspirations, let us get to understand their commitments to the nation, as well as, the local community.

Let us end with an anecdote that encourages us to be careful with the commitments we make. A banker approaches the Pearly Gates sweating, struggling with a heavy suitcase. St. Peter greets him and says, “Set the suitcase down and come in.” “No way!” barks the banker. “I have to bring the suitcase in.” “What could possiblybe in there that is so important?” The banker opens the suitcase to reveal 50 gold bricks. St. Peter’s jaw drops: “You brought pavement?”*