Grace: God's Love at Work in Us

Grace is one of the most beautiful truths of our faith. At its heart, grace is God sharing God's own life with us—not because we earn it or deserve it, but because God loves us. Grace is God moving toward us, lifting us, healing us, and empowering us to become the best versions of ourselves that God intends.

"Grace is the free and undeserved assistance God offers us so that we might respond to [God's] call to share in [God's] divine life and attain eternal life" (USCCA, p. 329). It is God’s free gift of God's own divine life poured into our hearts. Grace is God’s loving initiative that draws us into intimate relationship with God—Creator, Savior, and Sustainer—and gives us the desire and strength to respond.

There are four primary ways the Church speaks about grace: (1) Sanctifying or habitual grace: the stable, ongoing gift of God’s life in us. We receive it first in Baptism, when we are infused with the Holy Spirit and become members of the Church—the People of God, the Body of Christ—and friends of God. (2) Actual grace: the daily nudges, inspirations, and helps God gives us to choose the good, resist temptation, and grow in the likeness of Christ. (3) Sacramental graces, which are the particular graces that are proper to each of the Seven Sacraments. (4) Special graces or charisms (e.g. prophesy or miracles) which, while given to individuals, are meant for the common good of the Church (CCC, no. 2003).

Grace is not a feeling. It is not a reward. It is God’s living presence within us experienced through the gift of faith.

Grace: transforms—it heals what is wounded, strengthens what is weak, and enlightens what is darkened; forgives our sins and restores our relationship with God; heals the wounds of our past and helps us grow beyond them; strengthens us to love when it is difficult; guides our decisions and opens our hearts to God’s will; and forms us into the likeness of Christ.

God's grace is always at work—quietly, patiently, faithfully—whether we notice it or not.

God never forces grace on us—God invites. Our part is to cooperate with God's grace—to say yes to God. We respond to God's grace when we: pray, even simply saying, “Lord, help me”; receive the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation; choose mercy, forgiveness, and compassion; listen for God’s gentle movements in our hearts; surrender our fears, habits, and sins to God's healing love; and discerning and doing God's will.

Cooperating with grace doesn’t mean being perfect. It means being open to God's presence and allowing God to transform us to become more Christlike.

You are invited to reflect today about where in your life right now do you most need God’s healing, strengthening, or guidance? How might you open yourself more fully to the grace God is already offering you?

Lord,
Your grace is the breath of my soul
and the light on my path.
Open my heart to receive the gifts You long to give.
Heal what is wounded, strengthen what is weak,
and draw me closer to the heart of Christ.
Teach me to trust your work within me and
to respond with faith, humility, and love.
Amen.

This reflection was prepared with the assistance of CoPilot.