Of all the Grace we receive, forgiveness tops them all!

Of all the grace we receive, forgiveness tops them all!

It might be difficult to ascertain the blessings we get from forgiveness over any tangible gifts such as a physical or mental healing.  These we can see and feel and ultimately thank those who prayed for our recovery.  Receiving God’s mercy might be difficult to place on a list of gifts from the Lord, but be certain it is real and has a more lasting effect as long as we take it to heart.  Physical recovery from a serious malady can be long and tiring at times but will eventually leave us with scars or complete healthy limbs or organs.  The release from sin and its lasting hold on our soul is one that enables us to get closer to Christ through his Passion that overcomes our weakness spiritually. 

Death puts an end to human life as the time open to either accepting or rejecting divine grace manifested in Christ.  The New Testament speaks of judgment primarily in its aspect of the final encounter with Christ in his second coming, but also repeatedly affirms that each will be rewarded immediately after death in accordance with his works and faith.  THe parable of the poor man Lazarus and the words of Christ on the cross to the good thief, as well as other New Testament texts speak of a final destiny of the soul - a destiny which can be different from some and for others.  (CCC 1021).

Grace is first and foremost the gift of the Spirit who justifies and sanctifies us.  But grace also includes gifts that the Spirit grants us to associate us with his work, to enable us to collaborate in the salvation of others and in the growth of the Body of Christ, the Church.  THere are sacramental graces, gifts proper to the different sacraments.  There are furthermore, special graces, also called charisms after the Greek term used by Paul and meaning “favor,” "gratuitous gift,” “benefit.”  Whatever their character - sometimes it is extraordinary, such as gifts of miracles or of tongues - charisms are oriented toward sanctifying grace and are intended for the common good of the Church.  They are at the service of charity which builds up the Church.  (CCC 2003).

Since it belongs to the supernatural order, grace escapes our experience and cannot be known except by faith.  We cannot therefore rely on our feelings or our works to conclude that we are justified and saved.  However, according to the Lord’s words - “Thus you will know them by their fruits” reflection on God’s blessings in our life and in the lives of the saints offers us a guarantee that grace is at work in us and spurs us on to an ever greater faith and an attitude of trustful poverty.  (CCC 2005).

Ralph B. Hathaway