"Sacrifice" | Reflection by The Rev. Heidi Thorsen

When I hear the word “sacrifice,” my mind goes almost immediately to martyrs throughout Christian history – people who gave their very lives for the sake of the gospel. Surely that is the epitome of sacrifice! Surely it is the ultimate expression of faith to die for one’s beliefs, as Jesus died on the cross!

The stories of the martyrs are inspiring, but they can also be misleading. These stories tempt us to focus on the ways that people died, rather than reflecting on the amazing ways that these people lived. Christian faith cannot be summed up in an ultimate moment of sacrifice. Instead, Christian faith is marked by the choices we make every day, continually orienting our lives towards Christ. Perhaps these choices do not always feel like “sacrifice” – and that it because God’s promises are not focused on death, but rather abundant life.

One of my greatest role models is Archbishop Oscar Romero, a man who walked in the footsteps of Jesus in his own time, as a leader of the Salvadoran people. Romero is also remembered as a martyr for the faith, and we celebrate his feast day annually on March 24. Romero once said:

“To each one of us Christ is saying: If you want your life and mission to be fruitful like mine, do as I. Be converted into a seed that lets itself be buried. Let yourself be killed. Do not be afraid. Those who shun suffering will remain alone. No one is more alone than the selfish. But if you give your life out of love for others, as I give mine for all, you will reap a great harvest” (April 1, 1979).

Amen.

Photo: Icon of Oscar Romero, by Heidi Thorsen.

Words in the Wilderness - Walk through the season of Lent with Trinity, one word at a time. Every day (except on Sundays) we will post a photo and a brief refection written by someone in our Trinity community. https://www.trinitynewhaven.org/words-in-the-wilderness