Pope Francis Promotes The Virtue of Surrendering Everything to God
Pope Francis spoke about the virtue of offering all one has to the Lord, saying that God gives everything to those who surrender everything. Speaking to those gathered at Casa Santa Marta for his daily homily on Tuesday, the pontiff reflected on a passage in the Gospel of Mark.
The Gospel narrated an instance wherein a rich man who wanted to follow Jesus walked off downtrodden after being told he had to give away all his possessions. Francis explained that the man was saddened as he was not willing to surrender his earthly belongings.
By doing so, the man chose money as a master above God. His reaction was so much unlike what Jesus did when He gave all of Himself to His people by dying on the cross. When God gives everything, He gives fully, Pope Francis said. By refusing to give up his earthly possessions, the man wasn't able to receive God's fullness on the cross, he went on.
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Pope Francis then talked about the benefit of surrendering everything which is receiving God's overflowing gift. It is impossible for God to give less than everything, he said. However, the Christian way of receiving God's fullness is not an easy path as what the man had shown.
Pope Francis taught his listeners to give everything of themselves to God. "Pay homage to the Lord and do not spare your freewill gifts," Catholic News Agency quoted him. "With each contribution, show a cheerful countenance and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously, according to your means," he added.
Pope Francis told the faithful to follow the saints' lead in giving everything to God. He also urged them to repeat the words "I'm happy, Lord, I'm happy," uttered by Chilean saint Alberto Hurtado. This should be recited, he said, even in the face of poverty and suffering.
