Back in March at the Annual Diocese of Charleston High School Youth Conference, folks that were around me during break times probably got tired of hearing me play the same 4 measure riff over and over again. They were also probably tired of hearing me talk about making our sacrifice matter, making our lent a good rest from things we didn’t need. It sounds odd, but the small pain of a sacrifice is meant to give us rest – a spiritual rest.

With that rest and with the understanding that Christ’s suffering on the cross, we realize (or should realize) that there is unimaginable joy waiting for us on the other side of each sacrifice we make for Him and for our brothers and sisters. Each time we die to the television and pray a rosary. Each time we die to our to-do list to spend a day with our siblings, parents, or children. Each time we die to the team to offer our time at a homeless shelter.

After having written this song, I heard the following quote; attributed to St. Therese of Lisieux on her deathbed. “I have reached the point of not being able to suffer any more, because all suffering is sweet to me.” The grace it takes to live that astounds me. And she said it much better than I can.

Joyful Sacrifice
©2007 Bryan Murdaugh

VERSE 1
We know it’s your will, not our own.
Without the cross, we are not whole.
We stand before you, humble and torn.
You are the Lord!

CHORUS
There is joy in the sacrifice,
So help me be your happy servant.
There is joy in the sacrifice,
So lead me all the way home.

VERSE 2
We pray that we may serve the poor,
the lost, the lonely and forlorn.
The sacrifice we make to the least of the world
we make to you, Lord!

VERSE 3
Help us to die to the things of this world.
No matter what, you matter more.
We give up our lives, give you our souls.
So lead us home!

BRIDGE
When we feed the poor we feed our Lord.
When we give a coat we clothe our Lord.
When we go to see the sick and the prisoner,
The love they see is the Christ in us.