What’s Your Sacrifice at This Season in Your Life?

“My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a contrite, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn.” – Psalms 51:19 NABRE

What can we offer Him who made all things and who has all things? What sacrifice could possibly be worthy to give to Him who has sacrificed His very life so that He may save us all?

The saints have shown us various things that can be done. They have fasted, lived in seclusion, and given up their material wealth. Many have been beaten, scourged and sent to their deaths. All of these are in the name of giving a worthy sacrifice to God.

I must admit that quite often, I feel that I don’t have much to give. It is difficult for me to imagine myself living in a desert or being fed to the lions so that I may give glory to God.

Sometimes, I even find myself asking, “Does God really need all of these? He already suffered so much for my sake, why must He want those whom He loves to suffer also?”

Theoretically, I can answer the question. Although God wants to save us eventually from suffering, He has blessed even suffering itself so that we may abound all the more in eternal riches. Through suffering, our love is purified. And one day in heaven, we will discover the value of all our earthly sacrifices.

That doesn’t mean, however, that I feel no repulsion or fear when it comes to certain kinds of suffering. And perhaps this alone can make me all the more humble, acknowledging what I cannot do for my God.

What comforts me is the thought that despite all these, God knows me well, and He understands. He knows what I can and cannot do. And although He has given grace to the saints and martyrs so that they may witness to the greatness of His power, He has also reserved a place for those like me who must make a sacrifice in the course of my ordinary life.

I am not alone in this. Many are called to make a sacrifice, not in the midst of martyrdom, but in the quiet seasons of our lives.

What season are you living in? What sacrifices can you make where you are?

If you are a young person, you may be in a season when studying takes much of your time. It is a season of preparation with many activities and learnings. Your sacrifice could include your commitment to discipline and studying well.

If you are a new mother, you may be at that season when you have to take care of your baby even when it means getting up late at night. Your sacrifice is in the many things you do for your child.

If you are sick and can’t even get out of bed, your sacrifice could be in enduring your pain and giving up to God all of the things you cannot do at the moment. You can relate to Jesus’ suffering at the cross and you can offer Him your prayers in the midst of your pain.

If you are growing old and fear being weak or alone, your sacrifice could be surrendering all of your worries to Him who understands your anxieties.

If you are the breadwinner of your family, yours may be a season of trying to make ends meet and finding a job that allows you to earn while still having time for your family. Your sacrifice is your work as well as all your struggle to give yourself to your loved ones despite your busy schedule.

If you are a religious sent on a mission, your sacrifice could be related to your duties even if performing them would involve many discomforts and dangers, even the risk of your life.

We are all given the honor by Jesus Christ to make a sacrifice, to offer to Him a gift out of the depths of our hearts. Not all may be called to be martyrs. But we can all be saints in our own way.

What sacrifice is God calling you to offer at this season in your life?

“For you, I am mercy itself; therefore, I ask you to offer Me your misery and this very helplessness of yours and, in this way, you will delight My Heart.” – Jesus to St. Faustina (Diary, 1775).

You may also want to read “Why Did the Saints Suffer So Much?”