Surrendering Willingly

 “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39

Palm Sunday kicks off the most important week for the Catholic Church, Holy Week. I have been contemplating how that week unfolded in Jesus’ life. I have tried to put myself in His shoes, an impossible feat, but I attempted it anyway. 

What would I do different this week if I knew it was my last Holy Week? 

Jesus knew that He was going to be killed, and yet, instead of running to the hills to hide, He entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey with His head held high. Would I have the courage to do the same? I think it would probably depend on the type of death. Crucifixion… definitely not. I’m not that brave. I would have definitely run as far away as possible trying not to get caught. And yet, Jesus carried His cross with dignity. I had never thought of it this way, but Jesus not only surrendered, He surrendered willingly. 

On the days prior to His death, Jesus spent time with His friends. “Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany… They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him” John 12:1-2. He not only spent time with His friends, but He shared His deepest fears. “Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, ‘Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me’" John 13:21. He even spent time with the one that He knew would betray Him. Spending time with family and friends would definitely be high on my priority list, but spending time with enemies? No way. I would not want to spend my last days with those that for whatever reason I dislike. And yet, Jesus is asking me to “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” John 13:34.

Jesus humbly served His disciples: “He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist” John 13:5. He continued to teach them by example. “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do. Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him” John 13:15-16. He spoke words of encouragement to them: “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid” John 14:27. This is truly admirable. If I knew I was going to die, would I serve others? Would I encourage them? Most likely, my reaction would be just the opposite. I would expect people to encourage me and to serve me. And yet, Jesus is teaching us to serve and encourage others until our very last breath.

Jesus taught His disciples, and in turn He teaches us, to be obedient to God: “I love the Father and I do just as the Father has commanded me” John 14:31. He teaches us to surrender willingly to God’s will: “He fell prostrate in prayer, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will. My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!’” Matthew 26:39, 42.

As I contemplated all these events in Jesus’ life, which took place during the days and hours leading to His passion and death, I tried to imagine for just one second if I would have surrendered so willingly to the Father’s will, and I honestly cannot answer. I would like to think that when my time comes, I will surrender, but willingly? That is the difference between Jesus and me, and the reason why placing myself in His shoes is much harder than I could possibly imagine. But as I walk with Him during this Holy Week, hoping that is not my last one but trying to live it as He did, in other words, as if it was my last one, I will try to drop everything that is not important, follow Jesus into His Passion, and abandon myself into His Hands.

He calls each of us by name because He loves us. Will we surrender to Him willingly? Will we accept our cross, and carry it willingly just like He did? Will we do anything differently if He told us: “This is your last Holy Week, make it count.”

Copyright © 2023 Christy Romero. All rights reserved.