“…[W]hoever loses his life for my sake, will find it.” Matthew 10:39
This passage from Sunday’s Gospel, and that which comes before it, is, I believe, in part, an invitation from the Lord to pray—to take time each day to focus completely upon Him. It is a sacrifice and a cross to put aside our phones, withdraw from conversation with others, and turning away from interior distractions; but it is also a great example of how we can lose our life for Christ’s sake and then find it. He will give us the beautiful life that He wishes us to lead, even amidst the difficulties, when we continually look to Him and trust in His mercy.
I recently read John Paul II’s address to young people in New Orleans on September 12, 1987. There are many riches in this address, especially connected with this Sunday’s Gospel. One of the most beautiful aspects of it is his encouragement to pray. He says that he came to America to call us to Christ and invite us to pray!
“Prayer can truly change your life, for it turns your attention away from yourself and directs your mind and your heart towards the Lord. If we look only at ourselves, with our own limitations and sins, we quickly give way to sadness and discouragement. But if we keep our eyes fixed on the Lord, then our hearts are filled with hope, our minds are washed in the light of truth, and we come to know the fullness of the Gospel with all its promise and life.” 1
“The Holy Spirit brings us joy and peace. The modern technological world can offer us many pleasures, many comforts of life. It can even offer us temporary escapes from life. But what the world can never offer is lasting joy and peace. These are the gifts which only the Holy Spirit can give. And these are the gifts that I ask for you, so that you may be strong in hope and persevering in love. But the condition for all of this is prayer, which means contact with Christ, communion with God. Dear young people: my message to you is not new. I have given it before and, with God’s grace, I will give it again. And so, as long as the memory of this visit lasts, may it be recorded that I, John Paul II, came to America to call you to Christ, to invite you to pray!”2
