Sacrifice

Readings for Monday of Holy Week

Yesterday I was sitting on a stool in the bathroom beside the toilet cleaning out a soiled cloth diaper (stay with me) as my refreshed 20 month old looked on. The thought came to my mind that he doesn’t appreciate what I am doing for him at this moment. He doesn’t understand the sacrifice, although small, that I am making for him at this moment.

As I pondered this I realized that I didn’t appreciate the sacrifices my mom and dad made until I had children of my own. Not until my first child was born did I realize the work that they did to raise us boys. Not until I was rocking a feverish child, cleaning up stained carpet, and wiping artistically designed walls did I fully realize how much my parents loved me and sacrificed for me. Without going through what they went through I don’t think I could fully appreciate their love and find strength to give that love to my own children.

I believe I can take this thought further, to the Cross, literally. Often times when I sit and meditate on the Crucifix I feel like my 20 month old. I look on with a loving, silly, smile on my face not fully realizing what sacrifice is being presented here because of His love for me. This is partly because our images have been so sanitized but that’s another post.

The question is “how can I fully realize the power and love of this sacrifice?” The answer, I hope, is obvious, “no greater love is there than this, to lay down ones life for a friend.” In order to fully appreciate that love shown for me through that messy act of the cross, I must suffer, I must willingly lay down my life for others. Only then, can I fully understand His love for me. In addition, that witness in my life will inspire others to do the same. Love begets love and sacrifice begets sacrifice.