Into Your Hands

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.” And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment. Luke 23:44-56a 

Sometimes we have to give up. We can try and try, planning and thinking our way out, only to find ourselves stuck again. There are times in our lives when we have to admit that we are lost, that we have lost and there is no way out. It is then we turn ourselves completely over to God.  We always have the opportunity to let go sooner, daily even, but it often takes an unsolvable situation to drive us there.

In the midst of this summer season of ordinary time, the Gospel for today is from extraordinary times. The passion on the cross, the willingness of Jesus to submit to such abuse, always hits us hard. It doesn't seem like a casual story for just any summer morning. And yet, it is. We are reminded that our daily walk is embedded with cruel moments and hopeless, painful situations. Jesus forgives others and offers himself to his Creator. We are invited to do likewise, every day, in every way.

Today I ask God to help me let go and turn every situation over to God. May we live each day forgiving others and putting ourselves daily into the loving hands of our Creator.