Here’s a riddle for you. This item cannot be purchased at any store or online. There is no catalogue, and it cannot be delivered by UPS or US Mail. It’s not returnable and does not come in colors or sizes. However, when you need some of this, you will receive more than you can imagine. Have you figured it out? It’s God’s perfect gift to us, his grace. It’s like a cold drink on a hot day, an hour’s nap after a difficult morning.
God is involved in our lives and takes care to see that we have all the graces we need to be the people he wants us to be. He has never failed to provide for us. Today’s first reading reminds us that because of our sinfulness, we are dead. God has been paying attention and transforms us with his gift of grace. This transformation has nothing to do with our actions; it is God’s handiwork, and in response, we are given the goal of doing good works.
Once grace moves into our hearts, we change from our sinful ways into someone who is holy. This grace encourages good deeds of love, graciousness, kindness, and joy. We become more Christ-like. We, who have received his grace, should respond by gratefully being attentive to God’s will. It matters to him how we live with our newfound benefit. We respond to his gift by what we do and believe. When we become thankfully obedient, our actions serve as a visible sign of our transformed hearts, and God is pleased.
He gives us more grace than we need. When we refuse his mercy, God reaches into his storehouse and delivers firsthand this free, saving gift. In your gratitude, will you try to forgive others for their mistakes and errors compassionately? God is watching.
Let us pray
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits – He who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life and crowns you with love and compassion, and who satisfies your desires with good things so that you are renewed. Amen. (Psalm 103:2-5)