Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament

June 15, 2026

What is grace? John Stott, an English theologian, explains that grace is God loving us, coming to our rescue, and giving himself generously in and through Jesus Christ. One of my favorite Christian authors describes grace as another word for God’s source of strength and protection, not now and again but constantly and aggressively! What a wonderfully consoling concept. Whenever we make poor choices, God fixes our mess by showering us with his grace. As Saint Paul wrote (Galatians 2:20), “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Jesus has entered our lives; there is hope of everlasting life. Amazing Grace!

In 2 Corinthians 6:1-10, we are told not to receive the grace of God in vain. When we are grace-filled, we are responsible for doing something with it. That is the process of our sanctification. God opens the door, and we, his disciples, are called to carry on his mission actively. What have I done with his grace recently? Have I had any influence on his Church or on the people with whom I worship? If I give a thirsty man a drink of water and he pours it out, he has received it in vain. If I hear the word of God and reject it, I may be lost forever, because the grace of God was given to me in vain.

God’s gift to us is his omnipresent, everlasting grace. Saint Peter Julian Eymard wrote, “…..by all his graces, Jesus gives us something: his grace, his merits, his example.” (How to Get More Out of Holy Communion by Peter Julian Eymard).

Do you give yourself to God’s work in another’s life? How are you serving those around you?

Let us pray:

O Heart of Jesus, infinitely generous Heart, be Thou praised and blessed forever! O, live and reign in me, my God! I desire not that Thou should have loved me in vain. (Saint Peter Julian Eymard)