Losing Your Life to Find It

March 6, 2025 - Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Luke 9:22-25

What does it mean to truly live? The world tells us that life is about getting more—more success, more wealth, more approval. But Jesus tells us something radical: to truly live, we have to let go.

Saint Edith Stein, a brilliant philosopher, had everything ahead of her. But when she became a Catholic nun, she chose a different path—one of faith and sacrifice. During World War II, she had a chance to escape Nazi persecution, but she refused to leave her sister behind. On August 9, 1942, both of them were taken to Auschwitz, where they lost their lives. But Edith believed in something greater than this world—something no suffering could take away.

Jesus said, “Whoever wants to follow me must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). In His time, carrying a cross meant walking toward death. It was a powerful image: if you followed Jesus, it wasn’t about comfort—it was about surrender. It meant giving up control, trusting Him completely, and choosing love over self-interest.

At first, this might sound scary. But Jesus also gives a promise: “Whoever loses their life for my sake will save it” (Luke 9:24). He isn’t saying we should not value life—He’s inviting us into a greater one.

Think about it: What happens when we cling too tightly to things—success, popularity, material things? We live in fear of losing them. But when we let go—when we trust Jesus with our lives—we find something deeper. We find freedom.

Jesus is asking us: What are you holding onto that is keeping you from following Me? It might not be wealth like the rich young man in the Gospel. It could be fear, self-doubt, or the need for approval. Whatever it is, Jesus invites us to let go, to step forward in faith, and to discover the life we were created for.

Real life isn’t about holding on. It’s about trusting the One who gave His life for us. And when we do that, we find a life that never ends.