“A Sacrifice of Praise” by Joseph Veneroso
“The Sacrifice of Abraham” by Giovanni Benaschi (c. 1666), Musee de Beaux-Arts de Brest (Accession No. 975.28.1) (PD-Art, PD-Age)
“We sacrifice little who offer God
Of our excess prosperity or time
As if a minimum of effort would ever suffice
To cleanse our sins or delay God’s justice…No, authentic sacrifice demands nothing less
Than…An offering of our deepest longing,
Our dearest possession: our truest self.Sacrifice requires something precious die
Not for destruction but for consecration…”
“…when our votive offering joins
With that of Calvary where the true Lamb
Once for all bled and died in place of every Isaac everywhere
And we…From newly purified lips proclaim
A true sacrifice of praise.”“O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart…” (Ps. 51: 15-17).
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A Lawyer's Prayers 
This is an incredibly powerful post Anna. Far too many times we toss God 2 mites out of our great excess, then walk away content within ourselves that we have “done our part”. It’s as though even though we love the Lord, our human nature refuses to conform to the word “sacrifice”.
When David wanted to buy the threshing floor of Araunah, it was offered to him at no cost along with the animals to sacrifice. David refused, saying “No, but I will buy it from you for a price, nor will I offer sacrifice unto the Lord my God of that does not cost me something”. 2 Samuel 2:24
This post causes me to examine myself in the light of my own personal sacrifice to the Lord. Am I really sacrificing, or merely giving of my abundance? Does my sacrifice stretch me, or do I hardly notice it?
I am so glad this post spoke to you, Ron. The poem touched my heart, as well.
Beautiful ❤️🥰💯
Thank you. The author, Joseph Veneroso, is I believe a Maryknoll priest.
Beautiful 🌼
I am glad you liked it. 🙂