Bible passages: Romans 12:1-8
“I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
For by the grace given to me I bid every one among you not to think of himself more highly that he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith which God has assigned him. For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Reflections:
Saint Paul is asking us to consider a different meaning for the word “sacrifice”. He calls us to remember that the root of this word is the same word “sacred”. Instead of thinking of a sacrifice as something we have to give up, or give away, St Paul invites all of us to recognize that true sacrifice means setting apart something as sacred or holy. The thing we are to make holy is ourselves, our whole being; mind, body and soul.
This changes our focus from what we lose, to how we live and give. As sons and daughters of God, we are called to live a countercultural lifestyle, moving from the life of flesh to a life formed by the Holy Spirit and conformed to the will of God.
God gives us everything that we need and He gives us special skills and talents. Some people are good in teaching, some are good at speaking or organizing or listening well to those in need. Each of us has something special to share. We must be willing to share with one another and give back to God and His Church our sacred sacrifice.
Discussion Questions:
1) How can we live our lives different from worldly living, that our lives will attract other to Jesus?
2) How do we live in the world without being assimilated by the world and into the world?
3) What major sacrifice have you done that made a difference in the life of others?
4) What random act of kindness do you do each day?
Let us pray:
Dear Lord, I give you my hands to do your work, I give you my feet to go your way, I give you my eyes to see as you do, I give you my tongue to speak your words, I give you my mind that I may think like you, I give you my spirit that you may dwell in me. I give you my heart that I may love like you. Above all, I give you my whole being as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to You!” Today, I dedicate myself to you in Jesus name! Amen!
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