All is grace

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.