During Lent and throughout life, disciples can discipline themselves in small ways to prepare for greater sacrifices. We can do little things every day that build us up with the strength and courage to someday take far bigger steps in our faith. We also can grow in other-centeredness through the example of those we journey with. Watching their sacrifices inspires us to be more sacrificial people. Small efforts and sacrifices help build everyday heroes — people in and out of the spotlight. Ultimately, someone might be called to risk their life for a loved one or a worthy cause. Extreme as that sounds, it’s a far smaller leap when a person has performed other acts that place the needs of others above their own.
Life is not a spectator sport. We're called to participate in its beauty and its messiness, its joys and its pain. On Palm Sunday, Jesus goes "all in" with his sacrifice for us. He lives out his own words that he shared at the Last Supper: "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one’s friends." Sacrifice can be contagious. The more we observe it, the more we are inspired to sacrifice.
Distribute paper and markers to students. Explain that they'll have five minutes to think about the concept of sacrifice and draw a simple image that shows someone making a sacrifice. Add that they won't be judged on their art, but they will have to explain it to the class. They can work alone or in pairs.
After five minutes, have each student/pair show and explain their art. Then ask them and the class:
- Do you consider this sacrifice to be small, moderate or extreme?
- How might this action affect the person making it?
- How might it change the lives of others?
Conclude by saying, "Smaller efforts lead to greater ones and sometimes ultimate sacrifices. Along the way, they strengthen the person making the sacrifice and inspire those on its receiving end. The article we’ll explore in this lesson focuses on a young man willing to risk his life for those he loves, as well as Jesus' great sacrifice for all people. We can only imagine how far and deep a spirit of sacrifice can spread in our world."
Lord, let your holy hands,
which gripped the rough wood of the cross…
Lord, let your holy hands,
pierced by nails as you gave up your life for us…
Lord, let your holy hands
touch our hearts with a spirit of sacrifice.
Amen.
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