All is grace: Difference between revisions
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In our human relationships, we are conditioned to think that we earn love by doing well. The student with good grades is honored. Rock stars and other media greats are praised because of their performances. Beauty beautifully revealed draws attention and devotion. In our relationship with God, the beginning of love is in Him, not in us: "Save me and [THEN] I will do your will" (Ps 119:46). Nothing we could ever do merits God the Son taking flesh within Mary's womb; no beauty in us causes the Son to empty Himself in His agony, suffering, and death. As Fr. Tom Rowland puts it, "God acts--we react." He lifts us up and fills us with His divine life so that all of our potential for goodness and beauty can be fulfilled. | In our human relationships, we are conditioned to think that we earn love by doing well. The student with good grades is honored. Rock stars and other media greats are praised because of their performances. Beauty beautifully revealed draws attention and devotion. In our relationship with God, the beginning of love is in Him, not in us: "Save me and [THEN] I will do your will" (Ps 119:46). Nothing we could ever do merits God the Son taking flesh within Mary's womb; no beauty in us causes the Son to empty Himself in His agony, suffering, and death. As Fr. Tom Rowland puts it, "God acts--we react." He lifts us up and fills us with His divine life so that all of our potential for goodness and beauty can be fulfilled. | ||
== Against the Semi-Pelagians == | |||
This is not a job for Superman. It is a job for GOD. I cannot relieve myself of the bondage of self. I cannot even diagnose my need for deliverance without God's grace at work in me. | |||
== The horizon of grace == | |||
This, I think, is Rahner's "supernatural existential." | |||
'''Where there is goodness, there is grace.''' Elizabeth and John before Jesus died, before the Spirit was given. Inspiration of the authors of the OT. Lives of the OT saints. John the Baptist. True also of any religion or philosophy in the world: where there is goodness, there is grace, God triumphing over sin through the death and resurrection of Jesus, our Lord. | |||
[[Category:Grace]] | [[Category:Grace]] | ||
Revision as of 18:03, 2 March 2014
St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus said "All is grace" as she lay dying of tuberculosis.
In our human relationships, we are conditioned to think that we earn love by doing well. The student with good grades is honored. Rock stars and other media greats are praised because of their performances. Beauty beautifully revealed draws attention and devotion. In our relationship with God, the beginning of love is in Him, not in us: "Save me and [THEN] I will do your will" (Ps 119:46). Nothing we could ever do merits God the Son taking flesh within Mary's womb; no beauty in us causes the Son to empty Himself in His agony, suffering, and death. As Fr. Tom Rowland puts it, "God acts--we react." He lifts us up and fills us with His divine life so that all of our potential for goodness and beauty can be fulfilled.
Against the Semi-Pelagians
This is not a job for Superman. It is a job for GOD. I cannot relieve myself of the bondage of self. I cannot even diagnose my need for deliverance without God's grace at work in me.
The horizon of grace
This, I think, is Rahner's "supernatural existential."
Where there is goodness, there is grace. Elizabeth and John before Jesus died, before the Spirit was given. Inspiration of the authors of the OT. Lives of the OT saints. John the Baptist. True also of any religion or philosophy in the world: where there is goodness, there is grace, God triumphing over sin through the death and resurrection of Jesus, our Lord.