Lesson 323
I gladly make the “sacrifice” of fear.
“Here is the only “sacrifice” You ask of Your beloved Son; You ask him to give up all suffering, all sense of loss and sadness, all anxiety and doubt, and freely let Your Love come streaming in to his awareness, healing him of pain, and giving him Your Own eternal joy. Such is the “sacrifice” You ask of me, and one I gladly make; the only “cost” of restoration of Your memory to me, for this salvation of the world” (ACIM Lesson 323 1:1-2)
It is rather apropos that this be the Course lesson for Easter Sunday, the day of the holy resurrection. The day in which Jesus rose from the dead, showing us that death is not real. For many, the holy week leading up to Easter is a sad and mournful time. With the many symbols and depictions of the crucifixion it is easy to see how this can be so. However, our brother did not “sacrifice” Himself so that we could mourn Him or worship Him. He did so that we could live life and live life abundantly.
Merely think about this, what do you think Jesus, or any other spiritual master that has ever walked this earth, has really sacrificed? Nothing…besides the illusion of fear. That is why the word, “sacrifice,” is in quotes in today’s statement. It is a quotation of irony.
“And as we pay the debt we owe to truth,-a debt that merely is the letting go of self-deceptions and of images we worshipped falsely–truth returns to us in wholeness and in joy. We are deceived no longer. Love has now returned to our awareness. And we are at peace again, for fear has gone and only love remains” (ACIM Lesson 323 2:1-4).
On a spiritual journey, one tends to get more and more minimal, as many spiritual texts intuit one becomes less to be More. This can be with physical things, food, friends, acquaintances, or how one spends his or her time. One starts to let go, or “sacrifice,” what no longer serves the journey, as one becomes much more aware how precious and meaningful the journey truly is, and recognizes more keenly what is standing in the way of Love. Once you start fully living as Christ, it may appear to the outer world that you are “sacrificing” something to do so. It may appear that you may even be sacrificing “fun.” For example, I no longer really drink alcohol. To be honest, I never really liked the taste of it. It was just a balm at one point and a role I had to play into on Friday and Saturday nights. Some people don’t see how I can live a life without it. To them, the thought of it is a sacrifice. But to me, letting go of it has been a gift and it doesn’t feel like I am “sacrificing” anything at all, including fun. I am sure those who are reading this can insert your own example and understand that I feel I have only gained from what I was ready to release. And that is the key, readiness. This is why we gladly let go of fear. We are attuned to its tricks and see how it no longer serves the journey. Thus, we peacefully and happily let it go. It is no sacrifice at all. It is just time to do so. The release is that neutral.
Such is the way I feel about this particular day. Jesus is a holy rebel and wayshower to us all, as are all his fellow comrades and spiritual teachers. I am ever grateful for Jesus and those who continue to show the world that there is no such thing as “sacrifice” when it comes to the Holy Creation. There is only MORE. More Love. More Truth. More Light. More You. More Me. More God. How can that be a “sacrifice” at all? It’s like a caterpillar getting her wings. Fly On! Namaste.
