God's Grace

 

The Luke 11:9 series: God's Grace



What the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) teaches us

  • Grace is defined as a free, unmerited and undeserved gift from God that is the source of all good works. (CCC 2007) 
  • Grace is a Gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the master of the spiritual life, who empowers us to live according to God’s will and to respond to God's love. (CCC 736)
  • The Church is the instrument through which God dispenses grace, particularly through the sacraments. The sacraments are channels of grace that nourish and strengthen the believer's relationship with God. (CCC 774)
  • Grace is not earned by human effort but is given by God out of love. Grace is God’s favour, the free, unmerited and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become true children of God to live in communion with Him turning away from sin, partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life." (CCC 1996, CCC 1997)
  • Grace is not forced: Grace is always offered, but it requires human cooperation and the use of free will to choose to live, act, and grow in grace. (CCC 2002)

Grace is the tangible manifestation of God's love and mercy, offering a closer relationship with Him through the gift of the Holy Spirit. CCC 1989 says the first work of the grace of the Holy Spirit is a conversion resulting in

  1. The remission of sins
  2. The sanctification and renewal of the inner man.


Salvation through the passion, death and resurrection of Christ is accepted as a universal sign of God's Grace to redeem undeserving mankind, a price paid entirely by Christ and given freely to the faithful.


The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) defines three types of grace:
  1. Sanctifying Grace (CCC 1999, CCC 2000, CCC 2001): A permanent disposition to live and act per God's call received unconditionally during Baptism, and remains in the soul unless lost by mortal sin. This grace allows us to see and behave consistently in communion with Jesus Christ. If an individual dies in this state, the Catholic Church believes the soul has earned a place in heaven. 
  2. Actual Grace (CCC 2000): This is God's transient intervention granted for the performance of good acts and disappears when the action is complete, resulting in spiritual blindness. If an individual dies in this state, the Catholic Church believes the soul in a state of sin would need to be purified first in purgatory (1 Cor 3:1-16) or in the worst case if the soul is in a state of mortal sin then that person can never enter heaven (Eph 2:1, Eph 2:5 and 4:18)
  3. Sacramental Grace (CCC 1127, CCC 1128, CCC 1129, CCC 1130 and CCC 1131): The grace specific to each of the seven sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion,  Reconciliation or Confession, Anointing of the Sick or Last Rites, Holy Orders of clergy, Matrimony or Marriage) are efficacious instruments, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us.


Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1831) believes that the Holy Spirit brings the following seven gifts
  1. Wisdom: The ability to see things from God's perspective and make decisions that reflect His will. This was the gift above all that King Solomon asked of God. [II Chronicles 1:7-11]
  2. [Spiritual] Understanding: A deeper insight into the truths of faith, allowing one to grasp the essence of spiritual matters.
  3. [Good] Counsel: Also known as right judgment, this gift helps individuals make good decisions and guide others wisely. This voice prompts us to avoid sin and if we sin then prompts us to seek forgiven
  4. Fortitude [in the face of opposition]: The courage to stand firm in one’s faith and face challenges or persecution for doing what is right.
  5. Knowledge to discern the truth: An awareness of God’s purpose and the ability to see things as they truly are, particularly concerning faith and morals.
  6. Piety: A deep sense of reverence for God, fostering a loving relationship and a desire to serve Him above everything else.
  7. Fear of the Lord: A respectful awe and love for God, recognising His immense mercy, leading to a powerful desire to avoid separation from Him through sin.



Grace keeps the devil away

This inexplicable grace, given freely by God, is kryptonite to the temptation of the devil - Catholics believe that the most Blessed Virgin Mary was full of grace, predestined to be the Theotokos (Mother of the Son of God). So completely devoted to the plan of God was she, that she was said to be 'full of grace'.



Grace keeps you in communion with God

Grace allows the individual to remain in communion with God to continue spreading the message of God's Gospel of unconditional and redemptive salvation through faith in Christ - this grace cannot be earned based on human effort or worthiness, meaning you can't game the system, there are no shortcuts - all you have to do is be a sincere disciple of Jesus. God does the rest - a person filled with grace is transformed, speaking and acting through the power of the Holy Spirit to bring God's Kingdom here on Earth.


Grace triggers a virtuous cycle

Grace brings an ineffable peace of body, mind, heart and soul - sweeter than honey, more precious than all the precious jewels. It forms a virtuous cycle, a person in the state of grace can carry out good works through the power of the Holy Spirit, which in turn pleases God who continues to bless with abundant grace. One saint often recognized for accomplishing astounding feats through the grace of God is Saint Francis of Assisi. He is known for his deep connection with nature, his compassion for animals, and his dedication to poverty and humility. Another notable example is Saint Teresa of Ávila, who experienced profound spiritual visions and founded several monasteries, reforming the Carmelite order.



How can you tell if it's the Holy Spirit?

This brings up the question, how can you tell that the Holy Spirit is guiding your thoughts and actions, and not the devil in clever disguise? 


The Holy Spirit guides the faithful and the church to accomplish the will of God on Earth - this is God's grace. The presence of the Holy Spirit can be intuited when our prayers are answered beyond our wildest expectations and we are overwhelmed with a sense of peace and gratitude.


By contrast, actions borne out of pride, greed, envy, wrath, lust, gluttony, and sloth are influenced by the devil and all have one thing in common - they never satisfy. Like a raging wildfire, it destroys everyone and everything even the perpetrator. It corrodes the heart and destroys the soul.


How can you tell the presence of God's Grace?

Grace can also be intuited from the sensation of one or more of the following:
  1. Deep Inner Peace: You may feel a sense of peace or assurance about a decision or direction you’re considering. Your words and actions are without any material or worldly benefit to you, yet you experience an inner peace so pure and satisfying that the world cannot give.
  2. Conviction of purpose: The Holy Spirit often brings a sense of conviction about certain actions or behaviour, even amidst uncertainty and the temptations of the devil. These align your values and actions more closely with the Gospel, resonating with biblical teachings. If your thoughts or actions align with Scripture, it may be a sign of divine influence.
  3. Desire for Good: You might find a growing desire to selflessly serve others, show compassion, or seek justice, reflecting the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
  4. Community Confirmation: Sometimes, the creative feedback and encouragement from trusted friends or mentors in your faith community can affirm what you feel the Holy Spirit is guiding you toward.
  5. Prayers and Reflection: Spending time in prayer and meditation can help you discern the Holy Spirit’s voice amidst the noise of daily life.
  6. Promptings and Intuitions: You may experience strong intuitions or promptings to act in ways that reflect your faith, giving you the confidence to act, especially in challenging situations.


Consequently, the presence of the Devil, disguised as the voice, can be intuited through one or more of the seven capital sins, all of which betray immoral self-seeking motivations. Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1866) defines the seven capital sins as

  • Pride: An excessive belief in one's abilities, often leading to arrogance and the disregard of others.
  • Greed: An excessive desire for material wealth or gain, often at the expense of others.
  • Envy: A feeling of discontent or resentment toward someone else's advantages, possessions, or qualities.
  • Wrath: Intense anger and hatred that can lead to violence or a desire for revenge.
  • Lust: Intense or uncontrolled desire, often relating to sexual pleasure, that can lead to objectifying others.
  • Sloth: Apathy or laziness, especially regarding spiritual matters or duties.
  • Gluttony: Overindulgence, especially in eating or drinking, leads to wastefulness.

Reference

Catholic Church. (1997). Catechism of the Catholic Church: Revised in accordance with the official Latin text promulgated by Pope John Paul II (2nd ed.). Washington, D.C.: United States Catholic Conference


Footnote

This series of posts, which I call, 'The Luke 11:9 Series', is an attempt to verbalise various aspects of my Catholic faith as revealed in Scripture; topics include Destination Heaven; Golden ticket; God's Grace; Seeds of Love; Mary, did you know?; Feel the love of God; Love your neighbour as yourself, The Good Shepherd; Receive the Sacraments often; Eucharistic Adoration; Communion of Saints; How to pray; Role-playing Scripture; Mary, Help of Christians; Understanding suffering; Forgiveness; Gratitude, the life-changing attitude; Life after death; One Body of Christ; and Hearts ablaze. I sincerely hope it helps you in your faith journey. Always turn to the Holy Spirit when you search for answers to your questions, because Luke 11:9 says, "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."




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