Mankind's Sacrifice to God

Beads of Joy 02-19-10

Mankind's Sacrifice to God
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

Lent 2010 - Day 3
Hello Everyone,

It all started through mankind's offering of himself and his entire life to God; once mankind consciously acknowledges God's existence, it is at that precious moment that the exchange of sacrifice begins. Through the sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist which Jesus instituted for us, He truly shares Himself with us every time at Mass. Jesus Christ is ever present in the Holy Eucharist (I know many don't believe that, but I do and so do about ten billion others worldwide). I told y'all a Bold Fresh approach now. No matter what's been said know that it is true, I'm just being me, very bold in my faith. "The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of the consecration and endures as long as the Eucharistic species subsist. Christ is present whole and entire in each of the species and whole and entire in each of their parts, in such a way that the breaking of the bread does not divide Christ." CCC 1377 It is through Jesus Christ that we are able to give ourselves to God.

By living a life completely as a sacrifice to God we are open to His will for us in our lives. It's all in the Eucharist for us in the Christian life. Along with our sacrificial life we must focus fully on the Eucharist. Jesus can be found in the Eucharist and in finding Him, we find ourselves the way He wants us. It is through Jesus that we are made victorious in this life. "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." Romans 12:1. I can personally tell you that by offering your body and your life fully; that your life will be so filled with an absolutely overwhelming amount of Joy, that's the Joy I always talk about. I will tell you that when you are filled with this JOY, no matter what life throws at you, you will survive it. My life is far from perfect, challenges seem to hit me from all angles, all the time, non-stop.

Lent is also known as a time where many for us to make sacrifices. Sometimes I stop chocolate or a certain favorite food until Easter. In our home we even post all the families individual sacrifices on the cabinet in the kitchen. I think that's a very humble way to show each other and our Lord how much we each individually love Him. But I believe in our walk with Jesus we need to take this to the next level. What I mean by that, is to really sacrifices our entire life to Jesus in ways that the world would probably say, that we are wasting our life away. When you do sacrifice to that level I believe it is then that you have fully given up everything for Him. Do you see what I mean? What is it that consumes all of your time now in your heart? "Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." Hebrews 13:15-16. Stop anything in your life that takes you away from Him, or go one step beyond that; and don't waste your time doing anything meaningless that does not help you draw closer to Him.

Do not let anything or anyone so consume you that Jesus is no longer the very first thought you have in your heart. We do not stand alone when we give up everything for Him. When we do so, we stand with Jesus in all we do for our love for Him. Our external sacrifices are a reflection of our internal sacrifices that show Jesus our true and complete love for Him. "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace." Romans 6:12-14. Be bold and strong in this, following Jesus was never meant to be a time that we become selfish, on the contrary rather it is a time for us to live a life pleasing to Him. In doing so we must never put ourselves before Him or others. Just do it, your life will be refreshed beyond anything you can possibly imagine.

Today's Challenge: On Sunday's and only on Sunday's, offer up a sacrifice of not enjoying a certain activity or a special favorite food you like.


Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO

Footnote: CCC (Catechism of The Catholic Church)