Episode 2440: The Cross and Abandonment - Nightly Episode

“O my God, at the end of this day I thank You most heartily for all the graces I have received from You. I am sorry that I have not made better use of them. I am sorry for all the sins I have committed against You. Forgive me, O my God, and graciously protect me this night. Blessed Virgin Mary, my dear heavenly mother, take me under your protection. St. Joseph, my dear Guardian Angel, and all you saints in heaven, pray for me. Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor sinners, and save them from hell. Have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory. Amen”
The Cross and Abandonment
Welcome to today’s episode, where we will explore two powerful themes in the spiritual life: the necessity of embracing the cross and the importance of complete abandonment to God. We will draw on the wisdom of St. Rose of Lima, who teaches us that "apart from the cross, there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven," and Brother Lawrence, who reminds us that "complete abandonment to God is the safe path." Together, these spiritual insights guide us on the journey to eternal life, rooted in the traditional Catholic understanding of the cross, sacrifice, and trust in God's providence.

St. Rose of Lima, a Dominican tertiary and mystic, lived a life of extraordinary penance and union with God. Her deep devotion to Christ crucified led her to proclaim: "Apart from the cross, there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven." This profound statement reminds us that the cross is not merely an obstacle to be avoided, but rather the very means by which we are sanctified and brought closer to God.
The cross is central to the Christian life because it was through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross that our redemption was won. St. Paul writes in his letter to the Corinthians: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18). The cross is the power of God because it is the ultimate expression of divine love and mercy. It was on the cross that Jesus bore the weight of our sins and opened the gates of heaven for us.
St. Rose of Lima understood this truth deeply. She knew that suffering, when united with Christ’s suffering, becomes a means of sanctification. In her own life, she embraced extreme penances as a way of uniting herself more closely to Jesus and sharing in His redemptive work. This is not to say that we are all called to extreme penances, but rather that we are all called to embrace the crosses that come our way in life with faith, trust, and love. As Jesus Himself said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24).
In embracing the cross, we learn to abandon ourselves completely to God. Brother Lawrence, known for his profound spirituality of living in the presence of God, teaches us that "complete abandonment to God is the safe path and is the way that enables us always to have light with which to guide ourselves." This complete abandonment is not a passive resignation to whatever happens in life, but an active and trusting surrender to God’s will, believing that He is guiding us through every trial and every joy.
Abandonment to God requires us to trust that God’s plan for our lives is perfect, even when we do not understand it. This can be especially difficult in times of suffering and hardship, but it is precisely in these moments that abandonment to God becomes most crucial. The Blessed Virgin Mary is the perfect model of this abandonment. At the Annunciation, she said: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38). Her fiat, her yes to God, was a complete surrender to His will, even though it would lead her to stand at the foot of the cross and witness the suffering and death of her Son.
In the same way, we are called to say yes to God in all circumstances, trusting that He is working all things for our good, even when we do not see it. This is the path of holiness, the path of the saints. St. Rose of Lima, in her deep love for Christ, abandoned herself completely to Him, embracing the cross with joy because she knew it was the ladder to heaven. Brother Lawrence, in his simple yet profound spirituality, teaches us that this abandonment brings light to our lives, guiding us through every trial and difficulty.
The Gospel of John also reminds us of the importance of remaining close to Christ through all things: “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). It is only by staying connected to Christ, especially in our moments of suffering, that we can bear the fruit of holiness and ultimately reach heaven.

Our daily crosses, whether they come in the form of illness, loss, or personal struggles, are opportunities to unite ourselves more deeply to Christ and to grow in holiness. When we abandon ourselves to God, we allow Him to transform our sufferings into a path to heaven. This is the message of the saints, and it is the message of the Gospel. The cross is the ladder to heaven, and abandonment to God is the light that guides us on that path.
Conclusion
As we close today’s reflection, let us take to heart the wisdom of St. Rose of Lima and Brother Lawrence. Let us embrace the crosses in our lives, knowing that they are the ladder by which we may ascend to heaven. And let us abandon ourselves completely to God, trusting that His plan for our lives is perfect and that He is guiding us every step of the way.
By uniting our sufferings to Christ and trusting in God’s providence, we can walk the path of holiness that leads to eternal life. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, who stood at the foot of the cross and perfectly abandoned herself to God’s will, intercede for us and help us to follow her example.

Final Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of the cross and for the example of the saints who have shown us how to embrace it with love and trust. Help us to abandon ourselves completely to Your will, knowing that You are always guiding us and that every cross we bear is a step closer to You. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.