As the title aptly describes this site is all about living in God’s grace. It comes from a realization I had a few years back about the Saints and about what God desires for us. I was about to give a talk on Grace to a group of Confirmation students. I was reflecting on Mary as being full of grace. This was a few weeks before the death of John Paul II and I had been reflecting a lot on his life at the time. John Paul had a great impact on my life both in meeting him and in studying his work. It was the meeting of these two reflections that helped me come to understand what Sainthood was all about.

I don’t know if these were my exact words but I think the question in my mind was: “If Mary is considered the ‘archetype’ for all humanity – meaning our highest example of how we ought to live – then there is something about her being in a state of complete grace (full of grace) that God is trying to tell us.”

At the same time while reflecting on John Paul II’s impact on my life I was asking myself “Why is it that this mere man, who while very important to the Church is still just a man has had such an impact on my life? Why did meeting him change me in so many ways – why is it still changing me?”

The meeting of these two ponderings brought me to a very simple conclusion – as Christians we are called to seek fullness of Grace – that is complete participation in God’s life – union with God. Now, obviously because of the stain of sin we will not achieve this complete fullness of Grace until heaven – but here on earth we are called to seek perfection, holiness, and union with God.

What I began to understand was that while Mary was preserved from sin and full of Grace in order that she might be worthy of bearing the Christ – she also serves as our chief model of what God desires for us. That we might empty ourselves of sin and selfishness and allow God’s Grace to fill us so that we might be in union with him.

This is what we find in the Saints – this is what I saw in John Paul II – a man who was so filled with God’s Grace – that I could literally see God’s light and love through his eyes.

We too are called to this fullness of Grace – we are indeed called to “be perfect as our heavenly father is perfect.” – Or to put it another way – be Holy. Holiness comes only by the work of God’s Grace in our lives.

I will continue to break open this idea of “living gracefully” over the next few weeks.  Until then I hope you will pray for God’s Grace to continue to fill your life – to transform your entire being. As you go Mass this Sunday to receive the Most Holy Eucharist – our primary source of Grace – may you recongnize the great gift God is giving you and find in your heart a sense of gratitude for the work God is doing in the quiet of your heart.

May you take time this weekend to reflect on the words of St. Augustin below – consider these words in relation to your own life. Do you see the work of God’s grace?

Indeed we also work, but we are only collaborating with God who works, for his mercy has gone before us. It has gone before us so that we may be healed, and follows us so that once healed, we may be given life; it goes before us so that we may be called, and follows us so that we may be glorified; it goes before us so that we may live devoutly, and follows us so that we may always live with God: for without him we can do nothing. – St. Augustin (CCC 2001)

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