I get obsessed on certain themes. This one at the moment.
As lambs were sacrificed in the Bible it seems for two reasons, food and "to keep the peace" according to our priest. When tension was high, a lamb apparently was sacrificed to ease that tension. Thank you lambs!
Then Jesus sacrificing Himself for our sins. His Father offering His only Son. The Lamb of God. Has anyone shaken their head and wondered, where is the logic? Why sacrifice your only son for the sins of others? There must've been a simpler way to connect with us, and tell us what He wanted. And poor Jesus. "Dad, do I really have to do this? Come on there must be a better way!" But no, Jesus showed us the value of obedience and self-sacrifice. There born the idea of winning through losing. Victory through victimhood. So self-sacrifice is the ultimate expression of love.
Which brings me to those of us in society who offer ourselves in self-sacrifice through our occupations. Soldiers come to mind first. It is only as I get older that I fully appreciate the contribution of soldiers. Actually putting your life on the line for the "free world." That's courageous! That takes guts.
But the list goes on, doctors and surgeons working ridiculously long hours, firemen, nurses, devoted teachers,...the giving professions.
Ok there are people who work hard like accountants, small business owners, bankers. Those in the capitalist world whose main focus is to get rich and retire early. Are they self-sacrificing? Yeah but for themselves mainly. Not for the good of others. I have heard it said from my businessman brother that "we are providing jobs, opportunities, for people, how would they survive without us". That wears thin with me unfortunately.
So how about you? Are you sacrificing yourself to spread the gospel message? To be honest, I haven't got that far yet.
Then there is the old saying "don't be a self-sacrificing saint". Probably was invented by someone who felt guilty about being so selfish.
As lambs were sacrificed in the Bible it seems for two reasons, food and "to keep the peace" according to our priest. When tension was high, a lamb apparently was sacrificed to ease that tension. Thank you lambs!
Then Jesus sacrificing Himself for our sins. His Father offering His only Son. The Lamb of God. Has anyone shaken their head and wondered, where is the logic? Why sacrifice your only son for the sins of others? There must've been a simpler way to connect with us, and tell us what He wanted. And poor Jesus. "Dad, do I really have to do this? Come on there must be a better way!" But no, Jesus showed us the value of obedience and self-sacrifice. There born the idea of winning through losing. Victory through victimhood. So self-sacrifice is the ultimate expression of love.
Which brings me to those of us in society who offer ourselves in self-sacrifice through our occupations. Soldiers come to mind first. It is only as I get older that I fully appreciate the contribution of soldiers. Actually putting your life on the line for the "free world." That's courageous! That takes guts.
But the list goes on, doctors and surgeons working ridiculously long hours, firemen, nurses, devoted teachers,...the giving professions.
Ok there are people who work hard like accountants, small business owners, bankers. Those in the capitalist world whose main focus is to get rich and retire early. Are they self-sacrificing? Yeah but for themselves mainly. Not for the good of others. I have heard it said from my businessman brother that "we are providing jobs, opportunities, for people, how would they survive without us". That wears thin with me unfortunately.
So how about you? Are you sacrificing yourself to spread the gospel message? To be honest, I haven't got that far yet.
Then there is the old saying "don't be a self-sacrificing saint". Probably was invented by someone who felt guilty about being so selfish.
