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The Architecture of Sin and Grace
The world generally struggles with the concept of the existence of ‘sin’. We are, the world tells us, ‘generally good people’ who – for the most part, live ordinary lives and don’t really do terrible things. And that may indeed be the case – in which case this view is broadly correct; but regardless, it says little about the existence of sin in itself. For the Catholic and for the Christian there is no real doubt about it – sin exists. Further, it exists not only at the grand level but also at the very personal level. Regardless of the varying types and degrees and categories, still it is sin.…
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Gift and Merit
I had read something the other day which noted very simply that salvation is a free gift and not something we ‘deserve’ or ‘achieve’ through our own efforts. It really is very simple but it is something we frequently forget altogether. And in that forgetting, the way we live – and the way we engage with those around us – is completely changed. When we believe that salvation depends upon us and what we do, then we begin to see ourselves – not Christ – as the source and the means of our salvation. We become our own saviour. Salvation, we wrongly believe, is ours to earn through what we…
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The Passiontide Experience
Finally, we have reached that point of Lent often called ‘Passiontide’ – well, I say “finally”, but the reality is that it only seems two minutes ago that Lent was beginning, and now here we are close to the end. It’s generally at this point that I look back upon the weeks of Lent now passed, and wonder what grace was there and to what use I have put it. And that is where my heart sinks. It’s not that there hasn’t been grace – for there has been, and it has been given very generously indeed. No, the problem isn’t the grace. Rather, the problem is the second part…
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The Lord of Grace
For me, Advent is a very particular moment of grace. In it, we are awaiting the coming of the Lord in the flesh – and He is the Lord of All Grace. Consequently, we await the coming of He who is grace itself, who dispenses it freely and liberally if only we will ask Him for it. It’s a truly wonderful moment, this moment of grace. Our liturgical prayers throughout this season remind us of our waiting and our hoping. And our personal prayers and devotions are likely focused on this theme also. Even the Advent calendars accentuate this time of waiting, through which we move daily in the opening…
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The Winding Paths of Grace
You know how it is. You are driving along and, at a roundabout, a driver to your right is indicating right – and then turns off to the left, seemingly oblivious that you are sitting there, taking your lead from that little flashing light on his car, the same one he failed to cancel so that you could safely move off. You swear under your breath and drive off in a bad mood. At the next roundabout, you do what he did – well, if he can do it.. On another occasion, you are on a road with obstructions on your side, so you stop to give way to oncoming…
