Sometimes—make that often!—it is so difficult to come to grips with the fact that we aren’t in control—that we can’t control our circumstances, what others do, what happens in our families, what happens in our world.
The Servant of God Don Dolindo Ruotolo (1882-1970) was a holy Italian priest, devoted to the rosary, who received revelations from Jesus, including the following:
“Why do you confuse yourselves by worrying? Leave the care of your affairs to me and everything will be peaceful. I say to you in truth that every act of true, blind, complete surrender to me produces the effect that you desire and resolves all difficult situations .…
“A thousand prayers do not equal one act of abandonment; don’t ever forget it. There is no better novena than this: O Jesus, I abandon myself to you. Jesus, you take over [emphasis added].”
Herein lies the antidote to our need to be in control: surrendering our lives, our will, to Jesus. The all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving, all-merciful God cares more about us than we could ever imagine. He can see the big picture, how all the events of our lives work together to bring about our growth in holiness. Let us repeat often, whenever we start to fret and worry about something big or small, “O Jesus, I abandon myself to you. Jesus, you take over.”
Surrender Is Not Passivity
Christian surrender does not mean ignoring responsibilities or refusing prudent action. It means doing what love and duty require while releasing the demand to control every outcome. We plan, seek counsel, work, and pray, but we entrust what lies beyond our power to God.
This distinction is especially important during Lent. A sacrifice can become another attempt at self-mastery unless it opens the heart to grace. Genuine abandonment makes us more available to serve, forgive, and obey.
A Simple Lenten Practice of Surrender
Name one burden you repeatedly try to control. Each day, bring it to Jesus in prayer, ask what faithful action is yours to take, and entrust the rest to him. When anxiety returns, repeat the act of surrender without judging yourself for needing to begin again.
For a longer form of this prayer, use the Surrender Novena of Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo.