When I look upon a beautiful sunrise or sunset, I experience the Grace of God. When I hear the chanting of the liturgical hymns in Church, I experience the Grace of God. When I bend and kiss the icons, I experience the Grace of God. When I take in a breath and smell the incense, I experience the Grace of God. When I taste of Him in the Eucharist, I experience His Grace. My very existence is His Grace. My road to salvation is driven by His Grace.
What do we mean when we talk about God’s Grace? God in His essence is unknowable, incomprehensible and wholly other. We cannot know or understand God’s essence because this would limit Him to our own understanding. We would mold God into a creation of our own making. St Paul tells us “He dwells in unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16).” God is set apart, high and lifted up. Prophet Isaiah says of Him “God is high and lifted up. He lives forever. His name is holy. He says ‘I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with people who are humble (Isaiah 57-15)’ ”. How can this be? At first read it feels contradictory.
We cannot know God’s essence however we can know Him through His uncreated energies. St Basil the Great tells us “the energies of God are numerous and what we know when we say “God” is in fact His energy. We do not pressure to approach His essence. His energies come down to us.” Freely given. This uncreated energy, the Grace of God unites us to Him by His leading and allows us to see Him as He is – not clearly as St Paul says – but dimly as in a mirror. (1 Corinthians 13:12) The Unknowable becomes Knowable through His Grace.
Grace becomes the means by which we respond to God, to draw close to Him in relationship. When we cooperate with the Graces of God, our relationship with Him becomes synergistic. A beautiful partnership molding us to become like Him. To fall in love with him and spend an eternity with him.
His Grace is everywhere. We have only to look. Grace is found in the beauty of His creation which speaks of Him. Grace is found in the Sacraments of the Church, which gives us strength to continue to live a life worthy of His calling. The Sacraments of Baptism, Confession, the Eucharist, prayer, community.
There is the Grace of the Holy Spirit which leads us to the truth of His Word. There is Grace which sanctifies us and leads us to salvation. There is the Grace of the priesthood, the Grace of marriage and parenthood, Grace of monks and nuns, of widows and orphans. There is an intimate Grace that is given to us in prayer. And on and on it goes. St. Paul tells us, “His Grace is sufficient.” (2 Corinthians 12:9.) It is enough.
This is what I want to write about in my blogs. His Grace upon Grace. For they are many.
I will be writing three blogs a week. Along with God’s grace I want to write about the many lessons I have learned from my work as a Marriage and Family Therapist; parenting skills, anger management skills, healthy communication.
Please feel free to contact me through the email – [email protected]
I would love to hear from you. I wish you God’s blessings through the participation in His Grace!