Written by: Amy Reinhardt
It’s rare when the homily at Sunday Mass doesn’t speak to me.
On May 7th, Father Viet said something that spoke to my heart. He was reflecting on the meaning of sacrifice. You can imagine why that spoke volumes to me. The woman who has embraced renal failure for nearly two years.
“Every sacrifice you make, if conformed to Christ, will change the world.”
I was so touched that I rifled through my mother’s purse to find a pen. I took the weekly bulletin that we’d grabbed on the way in and scribbled the words down. I knew if I didn’t dictate that sentence right then, I wouldn’t remember it later. #dialysisbrain
We all have heard about the power of sacrifice. Look at Christ. The giving of His earthly life changed the whole world. You may think, “Yeah right, how could my small daily sacrifices change the world?”
While our sufferings may seem trivial in comparison to Christ. That isn’t the point. If we choose to conform any sacrifice to our Beloved Savior, it takes on a new meaning.
We are using it to grow closer to the True Cross – the one that saved us. We’re uniting our suffering to His. No matter what kind of suffering it may be – big or small. It changes us and in turn, changes the world.
For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Hebrews 10:14
I try my best to remember the importance of my daily offerings. My sacrifices are mere splinters on Christ’s cross, but they still matter to Him. He wants me to conform everything I didn’t choose, don’t like, and can’t change. He doesn’t just want the big things. He wants it all.
When I got that huge diagnosis back in July 2021, I chose to unite that to His Cross. All the fear and loss, they took on new meanings when I made that decision. Since then, I continue to conform the dialysis treatments, hospital visits, medications. I also conform what I’ve given up: social events, a job, living on my own, traveling, driving, and eating what I want.
There are endless opportunities. But I’m not perfect. There have been many, many sacrifices that I wasted. And I’m sure you have too.
A lot of times, we race through life being overwhelmed, frustrated, or anxious. We forget that if we simply offered up all those times, we’d be changing more than the world, we’d be changing ourselves.
Easier said than done, I know. But it’s worth a try especially if it can impact the world around us.
At 29 years old, Amy Reinhardt has been an Ascension parishioner for over half her life. She led Disciples Dwelling and was heavily involved in the young adult ministry up until getting diagnosed with end-stage renal disease. She strives to radiate Christ’s light and love to all who are blessed to know her. If you’d like to read Amy’s health updates: www.caringbridge.org/visit/amyreinhardt.