Sacrifice

The life of Jesus was a life of sacrifice.   He gave up His glory for a while to become one like us except in sin.  He shunned the glory that could have been His while on earth to show us that our life should be one of humility.  Finally He sacrificed His life on the cross to pay for our sins and purchase salvation for all who would believe.

Our society is much more attuned to achieving goals and amassing goods than to sacrifice.  When someone mentions that they are fasting or sacrificing something as part of their faith they usually get strange looks and sometimes stranger comments from others.  The world at large wants very little to do with sacrifice and doesn’t understand why anyone would seek it.

Yet as Christians we are called to sacrifice.  We are to follow Jesus and that means we are to look to Him for examples on how we are to lead our lives.  Some of those examples are the sacrifices He made.  We are also called to emulate the love He had for all, friends and enemies alike.  Offering love to all can also be a sacrifice at times.  We may sacrifice our self-interest in our love for our spouses and children.  To love those most would consider unlovable is also a sacrifice; a sacrifice of the hatred that we need to eliminate from our lives.

Many practice some form of sacrifice on a continuing basis as a testament to their faith.  Not to others but to God and themselves.  Some sacrifice all worldly possessions and enter the cloistered religious life.  Others sacrifice a portion of their wealth to help those in need.  Fasting is a sacrifice some choose to make.  There are virtually no limits to what can be sacrificed as long as it is meaningful and is done for the right reason.

Jesus warned those who made sacrifices for their own glory.  “Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.  Thus when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogue and in the streets, that they may be praised by men.” (Matt 6: 1-2).  Those who want to be recognized for the good they’ve done are seeking recognition for themselves rather than sacrificing in the spirit of Jesus.

All sacrifice is pleasing to God if it is done with love and humility.  Whatever you find most significant as a sacrifice is the one to make.  It doesn’t matter how big or how small; what matters is that it is for the Glory of God.