Commitment always involves some relinquishing of liberty. For example, when spouses exchange nuptial vows, they forfeit their choice to pursue other mates. Their sacred oath to be exclusively faithful to each other limits their previous freedom to date anyone else.

Following a wedding rehearsal one Friday evening, I was invited to attend the wedding rehearsal dinner. The centerpiece on the table featured a two-tiered layered cake with a plastic figurine of a groom seated on top. One of his ankles was bound with a ball and chain. When I asked a bridesmaid where the replica of the bride was, I was told, “Right in front of your eyes, Father. The ball and chain, of course!” I concluded it was hardly a representative image of the man’s ability to relinquish his freedom voluntarily, but it was an interesting display of a long-term commitment, intentionally comical, I would hope.

In fact, any such coercion would have rendered the couple’s exchange of vows the next day null and void. Regardless of what society may claim to the contrary, spouses must freely commit to one another for life if their Catholic marriage is to have any real meaning as a sacrament. Shotguns and shackles may make for colorful caricatures in comic strips and on dessert trays, but matrimony is a serious and sacred exchange of freedoms which should never be entered into lightly or without proper preparation. By the way, the cake was delicious.

This year, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country’s independence. But this freedom came at a very high price, which is subtly displayed in our flag. President Reagan once stated that the seven red stripes in Old Glory have a special meaning. They serve as a constant reminder of the “courage and readiness to sacrifice” that our Patriots displayed in shedding their blood to win the war against the British Loyalists, which resulted in our independence from England. What most folks do not realize is that of the 25,000 Americans who died in that war, less than half, 6,800, were killed on the battlefield. The rest, over 18,000, died from disease or starvation as prisoners of war while being held in the unsanitary hulls of British ships anchored in New York Harbor off the coast of Staten Island.

We must never forget that freedom is never free. Our entitlement to marry without being forced, to worship Almighty God, to speak openly without being silenced, and to live without fear or want are American gifts that come with a very high price tag.

Holy Homework

During July, let’s display our American flag and offer a daily prayer of praise and gratitude for the 25,000 patriots who gave their dying breath 250 years ago so that we could breathe free today.

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