"The Truth Will Set You Free" series of sermons presents sermon #012 on The Virtue of Sacrifice.

Main Entry: 1sac·ri·fice
Pronunciation: \'sa-kr?-?fis, also -f?s or -?fiz\
Function: noun
Etymology: Amarrian
1: an act of offering to a deity something precious; especially : the killing of a victim on an altar
2: something offered in sacrifice
3 a: destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else b: something given up or lost <the sacrifices made by parents>

Brothers and Sisters of Amarr and the lessor races dedicated to our holy Empire. Today I come before you to speak of a virtue very dear to my own heart. The virtue of Sacrifice.

When I first became a Priest I left behind all the assets my father had accumulated and entered the monestary. While we Amarrian Priests are not forced to take a vow of poverty many do and at the time I was no exception. As time has moved on and I've focused on industrial pursuits the accumulation of wealth has come in one door of my humble house and out another in the form of gifts and donations to various Amarrian charities and organizations.

But is giving merely isk the meaning of "sacrifice"? There are many in the universe with far more wealth then average men and they also give much to the causes of the day. But I'm not talking about the sacrifice of property or money or ships or time.

I'm talking about the sacrifice of yourself.

You see when I became a Priest I dedicated my life to something greater than myself. God was always central in my home growing up and the Amarr are known for their obedience to the Lord. Still there was more I could do and I did it when I entered the monestary. It is a humbling experience to stand before God and be just a man, stripped of title and wealth, taken to the depths of humility and shown your true insignificance.

Sacrifice has it's reward though in the end. When you realize there is more than yourself and you take that step to dedicate your very life to something else. God would expect no less of you and personally neither do I as an Amarrian citizen. From the lowest street sweeper to the highest Holder the Amarrian society is built on the virtue of sacrifice. We give our entire soul to God and follow His holy orders. We must for the punishment if we turn away is clear.

The Book of Missions clearly states:

The Book of Missions verse 5:14 states:

'Which test reveals more of the soul - the test that a man will take to prove his faith. or the test that finds the man who believed his faith already proven? If you know this answer, then you also know which of these challenges bear the greatest penalty for failure, The gates of paradise will open for you one time only; woe to the soul who dares to knock twice.'
-Book of Missions, 5:14, The Scriptures

Thus the price of not sacrificing yourself is your very soul. Who among us would take such a risk? Who would walk knowingly away from the holy light of God into a darkness known only to the Deceiver? I hope not you.

Brothers and sisters in this time of war, with the heathen hounds of the Minmatar and the corrupt deviants of the Gallente Federation knocking at the door this is the time, now before you do anything for yourself do something for God. I'm not talking about joining a militia or fighting rather I'm talking about making a real sacrifice. Dedicate yourself to God and accept His leadership without doubt or question. Continue to make the sacrifice to God that proves your obedience and your morality.

It isn't a sacrifice at all when you consider the alternative.

Archbishop