The Word of 2024: GRACE

I don’t normally do the “word of the year” concept. It is like the New Year’s Resolutions that I struggle to keep every year, so I stopped. On the other hand, I believe this year should be different. For this year, I want to encourage all of us to focus on one word: Grace.

With the decline of our society, constant propaganda of hate and division, and the fuel of sin disguised as choice, it is time for us to become less judgmental and more grace-filled. Extending someone grace does not mean accepting their sin. It does, on the other hand, mean accepting the person and loving them without constantly pointing out their sin.

Grace is simply doing honor to someone or extending someone love. St. Peter urges us to “grow in grace”. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18) If we want to show others Jesus then we must first grow and deepen our lives in grace. Christ is the fountain of all grace. It is by “grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:8). If we want to introduce an individual to the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, we must first be the spicket of grace that pulls from the well of unlimited and eternal grace.

This also includes having grace with ourself. It is sometimes easier to forgive others, extend grace for mistakes to others, and build others up rather than do the same for ourself. We become our own worst critic. As a result, we fail to extend grace to our own life. We must remember “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.” (Ephesians 2:9) When we are weak, fall to the temptation of sin, or condemn ourself for mistakes and blunders, we must remember that all those things can be used for the glory and exaltation of Christ. “But he (Jesus) said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

One cannot give to another, or to ourself, something we do not possess. You cannot give money when your bank account is empty. You cannot give food when your pantry is bare. However, grace is something we have all received and we all have an abundance of through Christ. It is something we can give to everyone. “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:16-17) Grace is associated with God’s unmerited and eternal favor and love that brings blessing and joy. If we are to be the hands and feet of Jesus, we must be a source of grace for others. God’s grace extends to those in every circumstance and sector of life. It extends to those in the most violent, drug and gang filled neighborhoods all the way to the lavish lifestyles of Malibu. It is for all those in the Bronx to the mansions in Manhattan. Grace abounds for those in the penthouses of Paris and those in slave labor camps of Asia. We, too, must be conduits of the grace that flows from the throne of heaven. It is only then that we can fully introduce others to the beauty, majesty, peace, forgiveness, and unconditional love of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace changes everything.