sacrifice

What does it mean to sacrifice? 

In the basilica of St Vitale we are in, there are many depictions of sacrifice. The sacrifice of Christ for our sins, the sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham, Melchezedik and Abel making sacrifices on an altar, Abraham sacrificing bread to three angels.

Throughout this trip I have noticed a theme of sacrifice through the sites we have visited and people who we have learned about.

Martin Luther was willing to sacrifice his life and reputation for what he believed.

St Francis of Assisi sacrificed his inheritance and all that he had to follow God and build up his church.

Saint Elizabeth at the Wartburg castle sacrificed her privileges of being a princess to help the poor and it ended up taking her life.

Pilgrims who came to Assisi for the feast day made many sacrifices to come and worship. What is the power of sacrifice? Why does the Lord encourage us to do it? He doesn’t need our possessions. But what He does need and earnestly desires is our heart. 

It seems that we are often asked to sacrifice the very things that may be distracting our hearts from being fully His. 

I think the biggest way that Heavenly Father has asked me to sacrifice is by giving up my comfort. There have been many times when I was at a place in my life where I felt comfortable but I didn’t necessarily feel peace.

It has been super difficult to sacrifice that comfort with hope that greater peace will come. 

But I have learned to trust that it will.