Unfurl My Heart
"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." - Lk 9:22-25
As we embark on the Lenten journey, it beckons us to delve deep into introspection, facing the aspects of ourselves we often conceal in the shadows. Though the path ahead is challenging, it is indispensable for genuine transformation and renewal to unfold. This season offers us a chance to cleanse our souls, shedding the accumulated clutter and cobwebs, both external and within our minds, creating a sacred space for something greater to enter.
Today’s gospel encourages us to confront anything that distracts us from our connection with God, embrace the shared human experience symbolized by the cross, follow the path of love and service wherever it may lead, and find resilience amidst vulnerability - a reminder that this season is not just about giving up something external and more about an interior conversion. It prompts us to reassess our priorities and ponder what truly holds significance in the grand scheme of our existence.
When I think about denying myself and taking up my cross daily - the losses, heartaches, and mistakes - it is not just a set of instructions but a call to action and a challenge to let go of my desires and comforts to pursue something more extraordinary. I am asked to step out of my comfort zone, embrace discomfort, and be willing to face whatever trials come my way with greater trust in God’s plans. I see it as a raw and honest invitation to confront the messy complexities of human existence and the transformative current of letting go.
In grappling with the challenges of a particular relationship marked by pain and heartache, Jesus' radical call to love one another as he loved us holds me steady. It is a profound summons to extend grace, patience, compassion, forgiveness, and humility, even when deeply wounded. In the stillness of my prayers, and with the rush of sorrow poured upon me, I hear God's gentle voice urging me, "Forgive them for what they do not know." Putting one foot in front of the other, even when the path is rocky, I strip away the layers of pretense and ego to hopefully reveal the raw, unvarnished truth of who God calls me to be while being grounded in His love.
Lord, grant me the grace to unfurl the depths of my heart where true freedom resides…
Tam Lontok