Responding To God's Grace
A New Year has begun! Great promises are made in the advertising we view concerning weight loss and getting in good physical condition. These plans are important, but what about the nourishment and strengthening of our souls?
Our son-in-law is preparing to join the Catholic Church by participating in the RCIA classes – the Right of Christian Initiation for Adults. His involvement reminds all of us that we still have a lot to learn! We need to prepare ourselves with information and knowledge of the truth – not just because it is a political year in 2016; being informed about Church teaching is powerful.
We exercise mental energy (will power) with resolutions to make changes in our lives. There is also the mysterious gift from God called free will! God’s will is unchanging; therefore God’s will is always accomplished! "Man cannot work up grace or faith; these are unmerited gifts from a loving God” Eph 2:8. Throughout the Bible we hear from Jesus that man is truly free, and God calls him to freely choose to serve or not serve the Lord. It is God’s predestined plan for us to have free will (CCC 600).
We all have a purpose and should recognize our participation in salvation history. St. Catherine of Siena said, “If you are what you should be, you will set the world on fire!” What are you called to do for Jesus? God wants us to be less about choices and more about discovery. He wants us all to be saints. The real suffering of the human heart is resistance to the will of God, and how we choose to respond to God’s invitation affects our own spirit.
During the liturgy when the celebrant says: “The Lord be with you,” we acknowledge the grace, presence, and Spirit of Christ in his spirit, as we respond, “and with your spirit.” Christ personally ministers through the ordained priest in a very unique way, Persona Christi. “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” Romans 8:14. What a great response to God’s grace, as we acknowledge the Spirit of God in our lives through the power of the Eucharist!
The story of the multiplication of the loaves and fish is told in all four gospels – and six times altogether in scripture – because it prefigures Jesus’ gift of Eucharist. When Jesus saw the large crowd gathering to listen to his teaching, he was moved with compassion. “Five loaves and two fish fed 5000 people, they ate and were all satisfied!” Mark 6:37. This is beautiful confirmation of the importance to rely on God for all that we need.
The celebration of all the saints and martyrs during the liturgical year of the Church provides great witness for us. It is helpful to study the liturgical calendar and feast days to become familiar with all that the Church celebrates, and why. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. John Neumann, both examples of Catholic education and teaching, were remembered on Jan. 4and Jan. 5, respectively. During a visit to the Shrine of St. John Neumann in Philadelphia on Oct. 4, 1979, Pope John Paul II addressed the crowd: “What really matters in life is that we are loved by Christ, and that we love him in return. In comparison to the love of Jesus everything else is secondary. Without the love of Jesus everything else is useless.”
Remember this New Year…. respond to God’s grace and follow Jesus. He will give you everything you need. Amen!
