Daily Compass

“Our salvation is intimately tied up in each other’s ability to see other people as worthwhile. All human beings as valuable, and possessing dignity. All life as having value and possessing dignity…. How do we create a context where all of that is possible? Where all that human driving and life is possible? That’s going to require sacrifice, and time, and deep listening and nuance—but that’s what being a Unitarian Universalist requires.” -Takiyah Nur Amin

Where are you upholding the inherent worth and dignity of others today?

“Inspired by the beauty and holiness of the Earth, we become more willing to relinquish material desires. We recognize the need for sacrifice as we build a world that is both just and sustainable. We are called to be good stewards, restoring the Earth and protecting all beings.” -UUA Commission on Appraisal, on the 7th Principle of Unitarian Universalism, 2006

How have you sacrificed in the name of living more sustainably?

As a child, I loved learning how to keep score at baseball games, and my father loved explaining the intricacies of baseball scoring. One of my favorite things to score was the “sacrifice fly,” in which a batter hits a long fly ball knowing that it would be caught, but allowing the runner on third base to tag up and score. It is officially scored as a run batted in without a plate appearance, so as not to penalize the hitter for doing what was necessary to score a run for the team.-Michael Tino (CLF)

When have you made a sacrifice that moved your “team” forward?

“Spirit of life and love; spirit of holding on; spirit of letting go: help us to attune to what our lives whisper to us—both the sweet words of commitment and the sweet words of release. Help us to know whether it’s a time to hold tightly, or a time to let go. Help us to learn that in each moment, there is beauty. May it be so.” – Amanda Poppei

What do you need to let go of?

In the Torah reading known as the Akedah, G-d calls on Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac upon an altar. This story is troublesome for many Unitarian Universalists, because of our uneasy relationship with the concept of sacrifice as a demonstration of devotion to a higher power, which is often how the story is interpreted among Christians. It is worth noting that Jews do not ascribe to this view of sacrifice. Rather, they see sacrifice as a way to draw nearer to G-d. -Lori Stone (CLF)

Take some time today to listen to the chant “Bring it Close,” by Unitarian Universalist musician Pamela Blevins Hinkle. “Bring it close” is an English translation of the Hebrew word often translated as “sacrifice,” karban. Let the music draw you closer to the sacred, however you define it.