At one point in my life, I habitually judged and resented certain people. I have confessed it once, twice, and numerous times. Each time I felt His forgiveness, I would tell myself I would do better. “I can forgive and I will not judge.” Lo and behold, I saw the person and it’s like I heard Celine Dion singing “it’s all coming back, it’s all coming back to me now…”. For a period of time, I avoided these people, even if it meant missing church activities. I had not fully surrendered to the Lord. I had not fully accepted His forgiveness. He was telling me to serve these people, yet I couldn’t do it. My surrender was half-baked. I held back.
One day, after many confessions, prayers, and pleading, with a heavy heart and dread, I went to our church community gathering. I sat there and surrendered everything – my thoughts, my energy, everything to the Lord, and I prayed, “All up to you!” That moment was the most restful and peaceful I have felt. However, a few days later, I started judging again. It felt so familiar – but I know now what I need to do.
I am reminded of Mary of Magdala, or more commonly known as Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene was introduced to us in the Gospel of Luke as one of the women accompanying Jesus when He went through towns and villages preaching and proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
Mary surnamed the Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and several other who provided for them out of their own resources.
Luke 8:2-3
According to the Gospel of Luke, Jesus saved Mary from seven demons. These demons had been tormenting her, causing her to sin again and again. There was not much mention of whether Mary asked Jesus to save her or how the driving of the demons came about. One thing is certain: God’s mercy, through Jesus, saved Mary Magdalene.
Aside from that verse, the other verses where she was mentioned relate to the Passion and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, this little information about Mary Magdalene speaks about the saving power of Jesus, her conversion, and how God has shown his faithfulness to those who believe in Him.
Jesus Looks At Us In The Same Way
In the same way, Jesus looks at us with love and mercy. With arms outstretched on the cross, telling us “it is done”, inviting us to bring our addictions and sins to Him. His mercy stirs us to look into ourselves and bare our sins to Him so He can save and heal us. But sometimes, it’s hard. Maybe we cannot see our sins clearly. Maybe we are holding back because we’re scared that we’re too far gone for saving or that we will be judged and condemned. And so, we PRAY. That is the first step. To pray and ask God to help us see and to help us confess, to help us lay down our sins, our addictions, at the feet of Jesus.
Secondly, after confessing and receiving His forgiveness, in gratitude, we move to praise, to serve, to act. Whenever we surrender our sins and addictions to Jesus and receive His forgiveness, our hearts will be moved to act – to do penance, to act and express the gratitude for the mercy and love we have received. After Jesus rescued Mary Magdalene, she moved and acted on faith, offering her time and her life to Jesus.
Surrendering is not a one-shot deal. C.S. Lewis once said, “Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.” Surrendering begins with confessing our sins and doing our penance. And when we fall, we run back to the Throne of Grace, surrendering every moment – asking, praying, thanking. Our surrender does not happen only by speaking, but must be supported by doing. True faith will always lead to good works. Just as Mary Magdalene, we can live our lives every day being grateful to our Redeemer by doing His will.
Acts Of Surrender:
- Pray: Ask for forgiveness for our sins and the strength to overcome them.
- Praise and Serve: Bear fruits because your many sins have been forgiven.
- Repeat every moment, every day.
Image: Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash
