When Commitment Unveils the Face of God
Inspired by Michael Moga, S.J.’s article “Human Commitment as a Religious Experience”
There are moments in life when God becomes present in extraordinary ways—during a solemn liturgy, a crisis that breaks our defenses, or an encounter with beauty or conscience. But as Michael Moga, S.J. argues, the experience of God is not limited to these heightened moments. God appears also—perhaps most powerfully—in the ordinary commitments that shape our daily living. In every act of giving oneself to another, whether through marriage, vocation, profession, or mission, the human person touches a horizon that is unmistakably divine.
“Commitment is a human act with divine depth.”
This reflection explores how commitment becomes a locus of God’s presence, how it transforms those who embrace it, and how we can nurture this sacred dimension in our relationships, careers, and ministries. At times, the journey of fidelity is strengthened through tools that help us cultivate interior depth—like a spiritual journal for prayer, discernment, and self-reflection.
The Human Face of Commitment
Moga teaches that commitment is not an idea or promise spoken lightly. It is a concrete giving of oneself. It unfolds in actions, decisions, and sacrifices—those daily gestures in which a person binds their future to another. Jesus reveals the fullness of this by his life: His commitment to the Father’s will was not merely a sentiment but a way of living that embraced joy, suffering, and ultimately the cross.
“Commitment demands a concrete expression. To fall in love with love is not enough; it is when one acts in love that commitment is real.”
Think of a doctor who rises at 3:00 a.m. to attend to a patient, not because anyone is watching but because her vocation compels her. Or a teacher who stays late to tutor a struggling student, even though it is inconvenient. Or a parent who works tirelessly for his family, pouring out life and strength without applause.
These are not simply professional or familial duties—they are commitments grounded in a value that exceeds utility. They reveal what Gaudium et Spes calls “the surpassing worth of the human person” (Vatican II, 1965, no. 26). Even small reminders—such as a daily devotional guide—can help individuals persevere through the weight of responsibility.
Case Study: A Marriage Tested by Illness
A couple in their sixties shared how their marriage changed after the wife developed a degenerative illness. What began as a joyful and active relationship shifted into a season of caregiving, medical routines, and emotional strain. Yet the husband described this period as one of the holiest in his life.
“I did not choose this path,” he said, “but my love for her deepened in ways I never imagined. I felt God giving me the strength to stay faithful.”
His commitment, tested by suffering, revealed a profound experience of God—one shaped not by emotion but by fidelity.
“True commitment values persons and projects for their own sake, beyond social pressures or obligations.”
Commitment as a Doorway to the Sacred
Why can commitment be called a religious experience? First, because its origin transcends the self. The call to dedicate oneself—to a spouse, to a community, to one’s profession—often arises not from personal preference but from a mysterious inner summons. St. John Paul II describes this as a kind of “inner anointing” that enables the person to give themselves in love (Familiaris Consortio, 1981, no. 13).
Commitment is also religious because it makes a person aware of their dependence on grace. No one remains faithful purely by willpower. The committed person draws strength from something—and Someone—beyond themselves. Simple practices such as keeping a pocket prayer book can anchor one’s resolve during demanding moments.
“All true human dedication is wondrous, miraculous, filling us with awe and amazement.”
Moga calls this awe a religious attitude. It resembles the reverence we feel before God. It signals that God is present, sustaining the fragile yet beautiful capacity of the human heart to give itself away.
Case Study: A Social Worker’s Long Obedience
A young social worker in Manila, serving abused children, often found herself overwhelmed by trauma narratives, poverty, and bureaucratic limitations. Many colleagues left within a few years. Despite this, she stayed for more than a decade.
“It wasn’t my strength,” she said. “I prayed every morning: Lord, help me show up again today.”
Her commitment did not make headlines. But in the eyes of faith, she lived what Evangelii Gaudium calls “a mission embodied in the lives of others” (Pope Francis, 2013, no. 273). Her perseverance became a prayer.
Commitment Opens Us to a Transcendent Horizon
Commitment changes not only what we do but how we see. A mother perceives her child not only as a responsibility but as a gift. A craftsman sees beauty in his work beyond profit. A priest sees in the parish not a job but a flock entrusted to him by God.
This widened horizon mirrors the essence of worship, where believers encounter the intrinsic worth of persons and creation. As Lumen Fidei teaches, faith enables us to see with “the light of love,” where persons are valued beyond their roles or utility (Pope Francis, 2013, no. 52).
“Dedication opens a person to a transcendent horizon.”
Commitment, then, is not merely moral discipline; it is an entry into sacred vision. It is the way ordinary life becomes a sacramental space. Tools that cultivate mindful presence—such as a Christian mindfulness and examen journal—can nurture this capacity to see God in daily fidelity.
Case Study: A Craftsman’s Hidden Prayer
A carpenter known for refusing shortcuts was once asked why he cared so much about details no one would notice. He replied: “God will notice.”
His craft became a pathway to the divine. His commitment transformed woodwork into worship. This echoes Pope Benedict XVI’s claim in Caritas in Veritate that human work becomes participation in God’s own creative love when rooted in integrity (2009, no. 41).
The God Whom Commitment Reveals
Moga emphasizes that commitment not only points to God’s presence but reveals who God is. Not the distant, unmoved deity of ancient philosophy, but the God who enters history, binds Himself to humanity, and grows with us in relationship.
“God is working in human history, attempting to bring to fulfillment all the deepest human hopes and commitments.”
Commitment reveals a dynamic God—faithful, involved, and deeply invested in our growth. This is the God we meet in Jesus Christ, whose incarnation shows divine love expressed through human commitment.
Our commitments, despite their imperfections, become arenas where God continues His work. When a father forgives, a pastor remains steadfast, or a volunteer perseveres in service, God is there—shaping holiness through ordinary fidelity.
Practical Applications for Life and Ministry
1. Forming Habits of Fidelity
Commitment is strengthened by daily acts of faithfulness—small sacrifices, honest conversations, diligent work. These cultivate the interior freedom that allows love to endure.
2. Discernment Before Making Commitments
Drawing from Ignatian spirituality, discernment invites individuals to examine whether a commitment leads to deeper love, greater justice, and closer union with God.
3. Building Communal Support
Commitments flourish in community. Families, parishes, and institutions must provide encouragement, accountability, and spiritual nourishment.
4. Honoring Commitments Publicly
Celebrations of anniversaries, ordinations, and professional milestones remind us that fidelity is a gift worth recognizing and supporting.
5. Integrating Prayer with Daily Commitments
Prayer strengthens commitment by rooting it in God’s fidelity. As Veritatis Gaudium teaches, the spiritual life is essential for sustaining any Christian vocation (Congregation for Catholic Education, 2017, no. 4).
A Spiritual Lens for Everyday Commitment
Ultimately, commitment is not simply an ethical decision or psychological stance. It is a way of encountering God in the ordinary. When a person gives themselves to another—fully, freely, and faithfully—they reveal something of God's own heart.
Commitment is a school of love. It teaches patience, endurance, self-forgetfulness, and hope. It transforms us into people who can receive and embody God’s love more fully.
“Whether in marriage, profession, or vocation, true commitment is both deeply human and deeply divine.”
Call to Action
Which commitments in your life have become moments of grace? Share your experiences or reflections below—your story may inspire someone seeking the courage to remain faithful.
Recommended Resources
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- Guided Christian Prayer & Reflection Journal
- Daily Catholic Devotional Book
- Pocket Book of Prayers & Encouragement
- Christian Mindfulness & Examen Journal
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- Catholic Rosary Beads
- Wooden Home Altar Crucifix
- Prayer Journal Notebook
- Catholic Inspirational Stickers / Bookmarks
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