The spirit of sacrifice is the focus of our attention as we remember the gift that has been given by those who fought in the World Wars, in the Korean War, in Vietnam and in Afghanistan. The spirit of sacrifice is also apparent in the lives of the men and women who are currently serving in our Armed Forces and in a variety of peace-keeping roles.
The spirit of sacrifice is also a central focus in all the readings that we have heard today. In the first reading, the prophet Elijah has travelled to Zarephath, where he encounters a widow who is gathering sticks. When he calls out to her and asks for water and something to eat, she explains: I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering ... sticks so that I may go home and prepare it ... so that we may eat, and then we will die (1 Kings 17:12). Despite her dire situation, she sacrifices some of her meagre provisions in order to prepare bread for her visitor, and she is rewarded for her generosity (cf 1 Kings 17:15-16).
We see another example of sacrifice in the gospel. In this case, Jesus points out the difference between those who are putting on a show of righteousness and those who sincerely seek to give what they have received with no regard for their own gain, like the poor widow who places two small copper coins in the temple treasury. Understanding her sacrifice, Jesus says of her: Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all the others (cf Mk 12:43).
The examples provided by our war veterans and by the two widows mentioned today in the biblical accounts should always challenge us to live more and more authentically according to the gospel. This is never easy to do. The temptation is always for us to seek recognition for the things we do, or for the sacrifices that we make. We can even fool ourselves into thinking that we have gone to great lengths to help others, but in truth what we really seek is control of a given situation or to ignore legitimate authority in order to achieve what we desire. Following such human motivation only leads us down the path of the scribes who liked to walk around in long robes ... to be greeted with respect ... and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honour at banquets (Mk 12:38-39).
Instead, an authentic spirit of sacrifice is born out of love, and it was love that was at the heart of Christ’s gift of himself. It always boggles my mind to think that our God, who created the universe and everything that it contains humbled himself to become one of us, and even more, that he was willing to sacrifice himself not for any human measure of gain but rather to enter into heaven itself (cf Heb 9:24). We cannot outdo God in His goodness or His level of generosity but we can strive to be like him by trying our best to live according to a spirit of sacrificial love.
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