Self-Sacrifice

Self-sacrifice is to offer one’s entire self—body, mind and spirit—to the service of God and the fulfillment of His will. In times of oppression, self-sacrifice may mean literally to give up one’s life as a martyr. In times of relative ease, self-sacrifice means to be a “living sacrifice,” dedicating every action to the divine purpose.

Jesus offers a model of self-sacrifice in his death on the cross, and teaches the same by the commandment he gave his followers—“take up your cross and follow me.” As individuals, each of us has a cross to bear, maybe several, and religion commends that we deal with our burdens with an attitude of submission and self-sacrifice. However, Father Moon, like other great saints before him, takes up public crosses, putting his life on the line to save others and confront the evils of the world. This is the noblest way of life.