A few words on behalf of sacrifice.

The first word is good. Sacrifice is a good word. It can inspire, unite and empower people to achieve levels they never imagined. England rose to magnificent heights in its battle against the Nazis because the people were willing to sacrifice the "blood, sweat and tears" their leader asked of them. To put a common good above our personal desires is to lift the quality of all of us and, thus, each of us.

The second word is personal. Sacrifice is not something for others to do. Sacrifice cannot be understood unless it is experienced. It is not an intellectual concept but an individual encounter. In the experience of sacrifice one discovers its power. Some of the most profound insights into the meaning of life come only when we are willing to sacrifice. Ask any parent if the sacrifices they have made for their children are worth it. Ask the ardent lover if his sacrifice for the object of his affection has been worth the cost. Over and over again we delve deep into the profundities of life when we are willing to sacrifice.

Sacrifice is historic. For millions of years, a myriad of cultures have found value in sacrifice. Every society and religion has rituals and systems for the enactment of sacrifice. Sacrifice is clearly seen as something of great worth to the community and is elevated to noble standing within that community. As Christians, sacrifice shapes an entire season of the year. For the 40 days of Lent, we are called to reflect on the meaning of sacrifice. In so doing, we believe that our spirits are opened to new insights into ourselves, our world and our God.

Sacrifice is necessary. Without sacrifice life would have no value. That is, there would be no standard of worth to measure those elements of existence that matter. Unless we are willing to sacrifice, all the matters of life are of equal merit. Taking out the trash becomes the same as making love. Buying a car becomes the same as giving birth. Sacrifice defines what matters to us.

Finally, sacrifice is always paradoxical. In sacrificing what we think is important we discover something of even greater value. A father finds new meaning and joy in his family when he sacrifices time from his career. A teenager discovers a new kind of self-esteem when she gives up skiing for a day to serve in a soup kitchen. A wealthy family gains a whole new perspective on life by sharing their assets with charities. History is filled with examples of this truth. From Albert Schweitzer to Martin Luther King, from war-torn England to bomb-riddled Hanoi, people are empowered even when it appears that they have lost their power.