My first supper in the seminary is very fresh in my memory. I was only fifteen years old then. After the inaugural talk by the Rector, we all proceeded to the dining hall for the dinner. Everything looked beautiful to my eyes except the dinner that was served. I was a vegetarian all my life and the food served was non-vegetarian. I informed my situation to the person in charge of the meals. I never thought it was going to be a big issue. The Rector came to me and said, “Sebastian, if you want to stay here you have to eat what we serve. There is no special treatment in the seminary”. He was not funny at all.
It may sound funny but it was a heart breaking moment in my life. I was asked to give up something which was part of my life style. My desire to become a priest was stronger than any other personal interest. I did not want to shatter my desire to be a priest for a choice of food. I ate the food even though I ended up in the hospital. I learned a lesson though. We cannot achieve anything worthwhile without paying a price. The price can be big or small, silly or serious.
Jesus Sacrificed
Jesus beautifully explained this truth when he said: “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit” (John 12:24). Jesus became Christ not through any short cut. He grew into the fullness of his vocation by going through a series of sacrifices. Through obedience he was made perfect (Hebrews 5: 8-9). He had to give up his personal desires. He had to say no to his friends (Peter). He has to give up his Jewish identity and finally he had to sacrifice his earthly life. His sacrifice did not end up in vain. God exalted him and bestowed upon him the name that is above all other names.
Growth/ progress demands sacrifice. This is a natural Law. A child who is unwilling to give up his toys will not reach adulthood. Parents who are unwilling to grow old gracefully will prevent their children from becoming adult. To grow new leaves, the branches have to shed the old ones. In order to achieve anything worthwhile, one needs to pay a price. Unfortunately many people are happy with the Status Quo. A lot of them are unwilling to explore the possibility of something higher and more noble. Naturally they miss the opportunities to become great. It could be either due to ignorance or fear.
Sacrifice <> Suffering
Many people views sacrifice as suffering. This is the problem with many of us. Any sacrifice which is not related to a higher cause can be seen as suffering. Jesus was able to take up the cross because he could relate his death with the resurrection. Jesus considered his cross as a gateway to a higher good. Events make sense not in isolation but in its connectedness. A smile of a new born baby melts down the birth pain of a mother. A gold medal in the Olympic Game makes years of hard work look pleasant.
We all make sacrifices on a daily basis. The Hindu Scripture talks about three kinds of sacrifices.
1. Sacrifice without knowing the value of the object one sacrifices.
2. Sacrifice because one is forced to renounce it.
3. Sacrifice even when one knows the value of the object one renounces.
This third one is the Christian act of sacrifice. This is voluntary and redemptive. Jesus willingly took up the cross. His suffering became redemptive. No act of sacrifice goes in vain, if we approach it in this way.
What Choice Will You Make?
For people who are willing to sacrifice, the possibilities are as high as the sky. The world is continuously evolving. The best is yet to come.
Similarly, our life is an unfinished project. It is fashioned after the image of Jesus. Until we reach the fullness of Christ we remain incomplete. Naturally there are only two possibilities: progress or regress (growth or decline). No progress means decline.
The choice is yours.
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