Daily DevotionalCultivate different facets of love each day this month.
February 11: Sacrificial Love
- Scripture: 1 John 3:16 – We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers and sisters.
- Reflection: Sometimes the greatest challenge isn’t to give up your life, but to give your life TO something.
In the life of Christ, and in the faith of our people, sacrifices are no longer something we burn on an altar. Rather we are asked to make of our lives a living sacrament. To make our way of being and living more holistic and thus more holy.
We are asked to consider our interconnectedness to others, and our interdependence on creation. We are called to be concerned for the wellbeing of others as for ourselves. We are invited to embody a faithful focus on reciprocal wellbeing. We are guided to give as needed, by compromise and sacrifice as required, so that we ensure the welfare of other people whom we can support in some way.
Every act of care and giving and service becomes another form of love in action, and reflects the servant love that Jesus modeled throughout his ministry. - Practice Prompt: Consider a small sacrifice you can make to help someone else. Give something, or give something up, and also reflect on what awareness any change in your habits creates for you.
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- “The Reason” by Hoobastank: https://youtu.be/fV4DiAyExN0?si=bfbewYaS_yQ875jo
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name. — Collect for Purity (prayer)
This love sacrifices all souls, however wise, however “awakened” — Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi
English version by Andrew Harvey
Original Language Persian/Farsi & Turkish
This love sacrifices all souls, however wise, however “awakened”
Cuts off their heads without a sword, hangs them without a scaffold.
We are the guests of the one who devours his guests
The friends of the one who slaughters his friends….
Although by his gaze he brings death to so many lovers
Let yourself be killed by him: is he not the water of life?
Never, ever, grow bitter: he is the friend and kills gently.
Keep your heart noble, for this most noble love
Kills only kings near God and men free from passion.
We are like the night, earth’s shadow.
He is the Sun: He splits open the night with a sword soaked in dawn….
The man to whom is unveiled the mystery of Love
Exists no longer, but vanishes into love.
Place before the Sun a burning candle
And watch its brilliance disappear before that blaze,
The candle exists no longer, it is transformed into Light