The Paradox of Surrender: Finding Life in Losing It
“For the Souls in Purgatory – Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord”
Luke 9:23-26
Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Grace Prayed For
The grace to surrender our will fully to God’s, to embrace our daily crosses with trust, and to allow the Holy Spirit to activate our charisms for the evangelization of every encounter.
Reflection
This profound passage from Luke calls us to an intimate encounter with Jesus, inviting us to shed the layers of self that hinder our union with Him. “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” This isn’t a call to self-punishment, but a tender invitation to surrender. Imagine holding tightly to something small and insignificant, while Jesus stands before you with open hands, offering an immeasurable treasure. To deny ourselves is to loosen our grip on our own desires, fears, and even our perceived strengths, recognizing that true life and fulfillment are found only in Him. It’s a daily decision, a gentle turning of our hearts towards His will, trusting that His path, though it may involve carrying a “cross,” leads to abundant life.
This “cross” is unique to each of us. It might be a persistent struggle, a hidden wound, a demanding relationship, or even the vulnerability of truly sharing our faith. Yet, in carrying it with Him, we discover a profound intimacy. We are not alone in our burdens; He walks with us, strengthens us, and transforms our weaknesses into opportunities for His grace to shine. It is in this daily surrender that our true self, created in His image, begins to emerge. “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” This paradox reveals the heart of our journey: only by letting go of our own limited understanding of “life” can we truly embrace the eternal, abundant life He offers.
As we deepen this intimacy, allowing His love to permeate our being, our charisms, the unique gifts of the Holy Spirit within us, naturally begin to flourish. These charisms – whether it’s a gift of compassion, wisdom, encouragement, teaching, or service – are not for our own glorification but are meant to be instruments of His love in the world. When we live from a place of surrender and trust, our charisms become authentic expressions of Christ working through us. They cease to be something we “do” and become who we “are” in Him.
This radiant love, coupled with our activated charisms, transforms every encounter into an opportunity for evangelization. We don’t need grand gestures; sometimes, it’s a simple, genuine smile, a listening ear, a word of affirmation, or an act of unexpected kindness that speaks volumes. When we are deeply rooted in Jesus, our presence itself becomes a testament to His love. We become living sacraments, radiating His light into the world, drawing others to the source of our joy and peace. “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” This verse reminds us that nothing of this world can compare to the treasure of knowing and being known by our Trinitarian God. And “Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” This is not a threat, but a loving encouragement to bravely live out our faith, trusting that in His gaze, we are always affirmed and loved.
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Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post