The Pope's message this week translated

Commitment means something must get done and one must get it done. It could be a word that one honors or a promise that is made or a signed agreement to which one is bound. Even shaking the head or the hand could be an agreement to which one is committed

Some people commit only to contracts executed in presence of lawyers! This is not right as when one commits to something, he/she does so first in front of God and second before one's own conscience. For a person who is committed, everything he/she says is respected. This person is trustworthy and makes others around feel comfortable.

Types of commitment:

1.      Commitment to God: One is committed to God by obeying His commandments.

2.      Commitment to others.

3.      Commitment to yourself: One is committed to purify and cleanse his/her own soul and elevate themselves spiritually day after day.

4.      Commitment to the public sector: One is committed to follow rules and regulations. For example, one cannot disobey the traffic laws and say I am free to do what I want. One cannot throw away a can of soda in the street after drinking it. One must respect governmental rules and regulations.

One also needs to commit to values that are known by the society and the conscience.

Examples of values:

1.      Value of purity: everyone is committed to be pure in his/her own life.  A girl attracted to a man may try to entice him by flirting and excuse her actions by saying "This is not a sin. In fact, this is something needed by the society!" (H.H. sense of humor; she may play games with a man but not with God; you can not fool God) She should walk in the path of purity with her talk, walk, smile and actions. She should not give him a sinful look or smile or try to cast her nets to catch him! This way she avoids being committed to him emotionally and avoids getting hurt in the end.

2.      Another value is honesty: For example; at work, one is to be professional and productive, performing in a good and beneficial way, finishing whatever is expected of him in a timely manner. For example, if a contractor does something and asks for a couple of month to finish the task and then another month and then another month, there is no commitment here. Commitment should be in everything; quality, honesty, price and time.

One is also committed to success in his/her life. For example, a person who would rather watch a movie or a soccer game rather than study or work hard hopes to succeed without doing his part! He who is commit to success in his life is careless and not taking life seriously. People will have no respect for his word or time.

Commitment to God: Commitment in worshiping, prayers, fasting and tithing. Some say my income is not sufficient to live on and tithe, but God replies: 9/10th with blessing is better than an entire salary with no blessings. What about the firsts? In the past the firsts were the first born of the cattle or the first of the harvest. But now the firsts are the first of the salary/wages, first promotion or first bonus. For teachers, the first private or touring lesson. For accountants,  the first account. For lawyers, the first case.  For doctors, the first operation performed or the first case seen. Firsts means the first of everything.

Those who dont stick to their commitments  provide lots of arguments and excuses. For example, "There are some barriers I could not avoid", "I am sorry I forgot", "I did not have enough time", "I could not afford it", "the circumstances did not allow me to finish the task" and so on! The committed person overcomes any circumstances and barriers and does not allow them to stand in his way.

Concerning excuses and arguments, one of the church fathers says, "The way to Hades is full of excuses and arguments." The Lord says, "You are with no excuses mankind."

 Try to find the source of excuses and arguments in your life and overcome them. Even in private life; one is committed to take himself/herself forward, to the life of goodness and righteousness day after day. One should be committed to starting the day with spiritual prayers and fasting and to also seal it at night with God.

One should commit  to respecting others and not to overwork them for one's own convenience.  Also, I say this to those who stands in our weekly meeting, obscuring the view for others and not caring about them. 

Everyone is responsible to have the spirit to overcome the flesh and it is a MUST.

One should also be committed to being exceptional at all time in one's life and to be an example to others.

What happens if one is not committed? He/She will be punished and will be under supervision, under monitoring and may even be punished by the law! If one does not commit, he/she may  be obligated to commit. And here it goes from commitment to obligation which is not good. Being committed and doing right is better than society obligating one to do something against one's will.

I hope you live your lives as an example to others in the world

Glory be to God, Amen.

Pope Shenouda III