The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:17)

One psalm calls for thanksgiving, the next for a broken spirit.

In the lives of many one sacrifice seems to exclude the other. There are constant Tiggers, others are perpetual Eeyores (as in Winnie-the-Pooh). Those full of thanksgiving exude energy and shout alleluia. Those with a broken spirit quietly stand aside sometimes in tears.

Each attitude of sacrifice has its time and place. Both can be annoying and even destructive in the wrong time and place.

There is often a need to shatter our pride, our vanity, and our sense of control before we can fully encounter the Spirit of God. This is a difficult process of purification. One outcome is a quietness and a gentleness that will soften the most exuberant soul. Broken-hearted Tiggers will still have plenty of bounce, but they also know when to be still.

Eeyore wants to be noticed. A dark cloud of depression and discouragement is hard not to notice. We are asked to sacrifice our broken-heartedness giving it over to the care of God. The love of God will transform it into thanksgiving. We will be noticed. We will not be forgotten. Eeyores will be given a joy that allows them to join Tiggers in bouncing a bit.

Today is the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth. You may listen to a portion of the Kyrie from the Litaniae de venerabili altaris sacramento (K. 243). Provided courtesy of Philips Classics Productions.