Self Sacrifice

As we reflect on the life of St. Maximilian Kolbe, the familiar dictum of Jesus automatically comes to mind:  "Greater love has no one/ than to lay down his life for his friends." (Jn  15"13), for that's exactly what St. Maximilian did. His self-sacrifice enabled a prisoner to live, who as a free man raised his family and was able to be present at the canonization of his rescuer.
Today's Gospel passage speaks of commitment, choice and self-sacrifice as it focuses on Jesus' teaching on marriage and divorce. (cf. Mt 19:3-12). Without these three elements, marriage can easily fall into the all-true prevalent pattern of divorce.  Without these three elements, who could forsake marriage for a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life?   Without them, how could people serve in the military?  All, whether explicitly or not, are "laying down their lives" for another. 
How can we grow in this self-sacrificing love?  Spending time in prayer with Jesus whose self-sacrifice is the model for all others; pondering out present situation and weeding out the patches of selfishness and self-seeking; asking to be purer in our gift of self: removing the strings we consciously or unconsciously attach our "giving."  We will find lots of room for improvement.
St. Maximilian, help us to be as totally self-less as you as we go about our ordinary daily duties and tasks.
Bro. Rene