Friday of week 32 in Ordinary Time, Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Gospel: Luke 17:26-37
In today’s Gospel, Jesus declares: “Anyone who tries to preserve his life will lose it; and anyone who loses it will keep it safe.” These words reveal a profound paradox of discipleship: the more we try to secure our lives by holding on to everything, the more we risk losing what makes life truly meaningful. Jesus recalls the days of Noah and Lot, when people were absorbed in eating, drinking, buying, selling, and building. These activities were not wrong in themselves, but they became dangerous when people allowed them to occupy their entire attention, leaving no room for God. Similarly, we can become so concerned about protecting our comfort, possessions, reputation, achievements, and personal security that we forget the deeper purpose of our existence. Life is not preserved by holding on to it selfishly, but by giving it generously in love. Jesus does not ask us to disregard the gift of life, but to discover its true value through self-giving. Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini beautifully embodied this truth. Leaving behind the familiarity and security of her homeland, she dedicated her life to serving migrants, the poor, and the vulnerable, overcoming countless difficulties through extraordinary faith and courage. She discovered that a life offered in service to others is never a life lost, but a life multiplied in its fruits. The message of Christ challenges us to move beyond the fear of losing something and discover the joy of giving ourselves for what truly matters. Every sacrifice made out of love, every act of generosity, and every decision to place God’s will above personal convenience becomes an investment in eternal life. What we keep only for ourselves will eventually pass away; what we give in love becomes part of eternity. Let’s reflect: Am I so concerned about preserving my comfort, security, and personal interests that I hesitate to give myself generously, or am I discovering the freedom and joy of a life offered in love and service to God and others?
Don Giorgio