I have, in my later years, determined that “giving up” things for Lent is not as efficacious as doing something positive to change my “self.” Consequently, for the last few years I have carried on a continuous campaign each Lent (which I hope, with practice, will carry over through the year) to choose what others would choose instead of what I would choose; to say “yes” when I’m inclined to say “no.” In short, to “hand myself over” to others just as You handed Yourself over to others. It’s painfully hard, but, over the years, I have made enough progress to warrant continuing it as my Lenten resolution for future Lents until I get good enough at it to work on something else.
The whole notion of “handing ourselves over” as You did is the foundation of St. Theresa’s admirable “little way.” When, out of love, we surrender ourselves to the will of another, we are doing precisely what You did in Your life.
I am always looking for little “catch-phrases” that are insightful and easy to remember. “To be handed over” seems to describe well the reason we are here. We hand over to You the gift You gave us by handing it over to others. There is a disposition in this of both a passive, peaceful surrender and an active posturing of acceptance.
Useful inspiration can be derived at the beginning of one’s day by regarding oneself as a person “to be handed over.” As the day goes on it is absolutely amazing how many opportunities present themselves for us to be “handed over.” If we are really attuned to this concept we will also come to see, as the day goes on, how often we ignore these opportunities.
In reality there is no salvation without You handing Yourself over for me. It would seem the act is not complete until I hand myself over to You.
