I pray everyone had a truly blessed Resurrection weekend; that is what this past weekend was about. It was about one person, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, laying down His life for us to have eternal life. Last week I was honored to narrate Haydn’s string quartet, The Last Seven Words of Christ on the Cross. It was humbling to read and explain the meaning of Christ’s final words spoken from the cross.

As well, this weekend allowed me to reflect back on some other words, four of which are the title of this missive. They are words that some men and women have vowed over the years in America. They are the words that have committed these Americans to sacrifice and perhaps make the last full measure of devotion—to give their lives–so that others can have life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The words “to support and defend” come from the oath of service and office taken by our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines. It is the commitment to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. When one takes this oath, they state their full name. They state that they will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, meaning the Constitution and these United States. They profess that they take that obligation freely and without any purpose of evasion or mental reservation. They basically say as Jesus said in the Garden of Gethsemane, not my will, but Your will be done. They affirm the words and dedication of Isaiah in chapter 6, verse 8, “Here am I, send me.”

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