How to Get Back into a 'State of Grace' with God

Are you in the state of grace?  Well, what is the state of grace?  (I had to look it up myself.)  It is the condition of being free from mortal sin and pleasing to God.  (link)  If we are in a state of grace, we are enjoying God’s friendship.  We are a light in the darkness.  We know that we are in dark times.  WE can be the light that vanquishes the darkness.  The darkness is powerless against one light.  So, what if we ALL become light?

   “How would I get back into the state of grace?”  Confession!  Jesus is bigger than your sins, so He can destroy them.  The priest is merely the vessel Jesus uses.  And it is great for us to hear that we are forgiven, and not leave us wondering.  And while we NEED Confession when we are in mortal sin, it is still very beneficial when we just have venial sins.  They tear at our relationship with God and strengthening that relationship helps our light to shine brighter.

   We must also ask, how do we stay in the state of grace?  What are the mortal sins that take us from the state of grace?  There are 3 conditions for a sin to be a mortal sin.  Mortal, as in, it kills the soul, which Jesus can restore.  Condition 1:  Grave matter - it must be serious.  Condition 2:  Knowledge - you must know that it is a mortal sin.  Condition 3: Free consent – you must do it freely. (link)

   Still, we need to know the sins that are ‘grave matter’ to really know what sins are potentially mortal sins, since you must know they are mortal for them to actually be mortal.  The Ten Commandments is the greatest measuring stick in this regards.  Worshipping other gods, cursing God’s name, not attending Sunday Mass (when the obligation is not lifted, as it currently is in our diocese and many dioceses), etc.

   This is starting to sound like just a bunch of rules rather than a relationship.  However, your relationship with your parents involved or involves rules.  And your parents love you, so rules are not inherently bad.  In fact, rules exist for our good.  “Don’t go near the road.”  “I do not want a car to hit you.”  God knows what is best for us and so He gave us the rules to live by that keep us safe.  Safe from Hell.  And if you stay safe, you will be a light for others to see by that they might be safe as well.

   Mary, you were full of grace before conceiving Jesus Christ within your womb.  Help us to be in the state of grace and return to it whenever we stray.  Mom, help us out.  Amen.