Thought for the Week
It’s Memorial Day in My Country
The True Meaning of Sacrifice: Today we honor those who’ve sacrificed their lives for the sake of others. But as deeply as the word “sacrifice” resonates in us, the key word is others.
Martin Luther King Jr. put it this way: In Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan, “The first question which the priest and the Levite asked,” after seeing a wounded man beside the road, “was, ‘If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?’ But the good Samaritan reversed the question: ‘If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?’”
The True Meaning of Sacrifice…
Is to offer oneself in service to others. That is the kind of sacrifice that deserves to be, no, must be commemorated. More people have given their lives in service to others than we’ll ever know. Perhaps you’ve known or are even related to one. There are some stirring examples in this article by Elisabeth Sedgwick: 10 People Who Sacrificed Their Lives To Save Others.
≡
“When you sacrifice something precious, you’re not really losing it. You’re just passing it on to someone else.” ~Mitch Albom
“I’m willing to walk in darkness if it keeps humans in the light.” ~Victoria Schwab
“The happiness of love is in action. Its test is this: what one is willing to do for others.” ~Lew Wallace
“Greater love has no one than this: that they lay down their life for their friends.” ~John 15:13
Word!
AMEN
Amen! “Greater love has no one than this: that they lay down their life for their friends.” ~John 15:13
Happy Memorial Day, Mitch!
Thank you, Ab.
Love has many facets and one them is Love as an action verb. Love is to be lived, as Jesus lived, setting self aside and in obedience to God, serving others God’s divine love. I think of all the living soldiers who need that same Love to heal.
Very true, Pamela. 🧡
A solemn and reflective Memorial Day “thought of the week”—honoring sacrifice and encouraging deeper reflection on its true meaning beyond the word itself. 🇺🇸🕊️
C. Junior Wilson (buried here in Iowa), Daniel S. Wilson (buried at the Lorraine American Cemetery in France, Dale R. Wilson (never found). My mother’s three younger brothers lost during WWII.
🧡🧡🧡
Happy Memorial Day, Mitch.
Thank you, Andrew.
You’re welcome.
Thank you for a most worthy meditation for Memorial Day, Mitch. Love the fresh perspective of the Mitch Albom quote.
I agree, Nancy. That’s why I put his quote first.
Happy Memorial Day, Mitch.
Thank you, T.
Always a pleasure.
“Others”, what we need to focus on.
verse 11 from john 15:13
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing this wonderful tribute.
My privilege, Jennifer.
Powerful quotes. I pray that we will be willing to think less of ourselves and more about others. Thank you for sharing.
My privilege, Beverley.
Happy memorial Day. God bless you
You too, Kaycee.