The Sacred Triduum: Service, Sacrifice, Salvation (Part IV)

It appears inevitable, looking at the story so far, that a spiritual path leads to much pain and suffering.

More often than not, that becomes the case.

The spiritual and the physical, while not actually opposing forces, are often seen as such. This creates conflict, especially in our modern world where extreme factions of both sides seek to eradicate the other extreme.

If this is so, why would anyone willingly choose to walk a spiritual path?

The answer is Salvation.

How that word is defined differs from generation to generation and culture to culture, but at its root is the quest to end (or reduce) suffering. For yourself. For others. For everyone.

The whole point of Jesus’ Service and Suffering was to forge a new bond between the Hebrew god and his people. A renewed–and more basic–covenant than what had been put forth in the Old Testament stories. A new covenant for a new era.

Obviously, things didn’t quite go completely as planned in the ensuing two millenniums.

But Jesus did what he did because he thought it would, eventually, make life better for those around him and for his people as a whole. If nothing else, he believed–as did many others–that his life and death fulfilled a number of prophecies. He wanted to make the world a better place and he wanted those who followed his example to do the same.

His one new major commandment was one of the most direct and simple statements ever handed down:

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34)

Somewhere between then and now, it seems most of that sentiment has been lost, twisted or outright ignored by people who claim to follow the same faith.

That’s the thing about Salvation–it can work very well on a small scale. You, as an individual on a spiritual path, may be able to make a small number of people’s lives better. You, on your own, may be able to show people the wonder they can find on their own spiritual path. You may even discover, as you walk your path, that you can forgive yourself for the shortcomings you have simply because you are flesh and blood.

On a large scale, the idea of Salvation tends to fall apart. There are too many competing interests (which are rarely as in opposition to one another as the opponents believe) and too many people with different definitions of what Salvation actually is. Human nature and inconsistency muddle things and warp messages.

Unless you truly are chosen by the Divine (and, perhaps, even then), it is best to focus on your own ideas of Salvation and work them on the small scale. With enough people working locally with the same mindset–and with the same ideas of Service and Sacrifice–each of them can go forth into the world and educate others.

This is what Jesus did with his Apostles. He tried to groom them to be the foundation for the new covenant. In the end, he had some doubts about how successful he was, but after the resurrection–after shedding his mortal coil and transcending his limitation–he was able to more directly affect his followers. The greatest effect, though, came from them having suffered his death and rejoiced at his return, in fulfillment of the prophecies they all held dear.

Always remember that while Salvation is a noble goal, it is not something we, as men and women, can dole out as we please.

Salvation is a goal that must be worked toward mostly on an individual basis. You can inspire, you can educate, you can proselytize and preach, but if someone isn’t ready to be saved, you can’t force it on them.

The best we can hope for is to attain the state of mind and grace that allows us to look back on our own path–our own trail of Service and Sacrifice–and be content with what we see along it.

The only person we can truly save, is ourself.

And that little bit of Salvation comes through forgiveness and acceptance.

We must Love ourselves and one another as we Love the power which we serve.

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The Sacred Triduum: Service, Sacrifice, Salvation (Part III)