A Sunday Morning Thought on "Grace"
We talk a lot about "norms of piety" in this blog. These are our pious practices each day that help us grow closer to God. Here are some, in no particular order: Morning Offering upon waking up; reading Scripture, Spiritual Works, studying Catholic doctrine, 5 minutes Meditation, reciting the Rosary, attending daily Mass, visiting the Blessed Sacrament, Examination of Conscience. All of these, done with attention and devotion (as opposed to a rote "get it done" attitude) will help us grow closer to God, step by step, each and every day.
I've shared with you that I carve out time at the beginning of each day for a "chunk" of these - reading, meditation, study - because if I don't take the time first thing, I typically can't "find the time" during my busy days. Of course, it's up to you how you perform these acts, but it's important that you do.
The one problem I find with norms of piety is this: we can start to think that our sanctity depends on how much we do, or even on how we do it. And that can lead to us forgetting that it's not us that makes us holy, it's God. He does this by freely giving us grace. So today, I wanted to share with you an excellent description of grace I found recently. It's from the Catholic publication, The Wanderer, in a regular column, "Catholic Replies" written by James Drummey. Each week the author answers questions submitted by readers. I find this to be a good source to increase my knowledge and understanding of our Holy Faith.
Grace is understood differently by different Christian "sects." But, of course, the full truth about grace is found in the one place which holds the full truth about everything: our Catholic Faith. Here Mr. Drummey provides us with a clear, Catholic description of grace.
I hope you found this helpful in increasing your understanding of grace.
I've shared with you that I carve out time at the beginning of each day for a "chunk" of these - reading, meditation, study - because if I don't take the time first thing, I typically can't "find the time" during my busy days. Of course, it's up to you how you perform these acts, but it's important that you do.
The one problem I find with norms of piety is this: we can start to think that our sanctity depends on how much we do, or even on how we do it. And that can lead to us forgetting that it's not us that makes us holy, it's God. He does this by freely giving us grace. So today, I wanted to share with you an excellent description of grace I found recently. It's from the Catholic publication, The Wanderer, in a regular column, "Catholic Replies" written by James Drummey. Each week the author answers questions submitted by readers. I find this to be a good source to increase my knowledge and understanding of our Holy Faith.
Grace is understood differently by different Christian "sects." But, of course, the full truth about grace is found in the one place which holds the full truth about everything: our Catholic Faith. Here Mr. Drummey provides us with a clear, Catholic description of grace.
Grace is a free and undeserved gift from God that enables us to share in His divine life. There are different kinds of grace. For example, there is actual grace, which is a passing influence on our mind and will, a special supernatural help from God which enlightens our mind and strengthens our will to do good and avoid evil. Actual graces are innumerable, such as a book, a picture, a sermon on the radio or TV, or some person, place, or thing that pushes us in the direction of God.
Sanctifying grace, which comes to us through Baptism or Penance, is, according to the glossary at the back of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “ the grace which heals our human nature wounded by sin by giving us a share in the divine life of the Trinity. It is a habitual, supernatural gift which continues the work of sanctifying us — of making us ‘ perfect,’ holy, and Christlike.”
It is infused into the soul by the Holy Spirit to heal it of sin and to make us pleasing to God. This grace can be lost through mortal sin and can be increased by prayer, almsgiving, reception of the sacraments, and the performance of the works of mercy.
I hope you found this helpful in increasing your understanding of grace.
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