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You are here: Experts > Religion/Spirituality > Christianity - Catholicism > Catholics > What is grace?
Expert: Edward Bode - 11/7/2009
Question
QUESTION: Hello,
Could you please tell me :
(1) What the church defines as "Grace"?
(2) What grace mean in day to day practice to a catholic?
(3) If it is necesary to earn grace as a Catholic, how is this done please?
Many thanks,
Cheers,
Brian.
ANSWER: There are two main types of grace:
Sanctifying [habitual] -- The justified people share in the indwelling of God to make their souls holy and pleasing to God.
Actual -- Special help from God to do what is right [morally correct].
We need God's grace to act morally. So we pray for that help and for remaining faithful to God's will.
One receives santifying grace [from the salvation-work of Jesus Christ, our Savior] through the Sacraments, beginning with Baptism. If that grace is lost [committing mortal sin], it can be regained, usually through the Sacrament of Penance.
I urge you to check The Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs: 824, 1266, 1999-2000, 2023-2024 on grace; 265, 1989, 1992, 1997, 2020, 2813 on Baptism; 980, 1422, 1446, 1468 on Penance. The Catechism is available online at: www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm
Your questions are rather far-reaching. I have tried to give you the "tip of the iceberg" but there are many other details to provide should you so desire. If you would like me to clarify or add, please write again.
Best wishes, Brian.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi
Thank you for reponding so quickly with your answer - your time is much appreciated!!
What I dont get is how the church talks about meriting grace ( Catechism 2010 and 2027 ) when according to Gods word, Gods grace is in fact un-meritable and in effect turns Gods grace as something that can be in catholic eyes basically traded like oil or pork bellies. This concerns me.
As a Bible scholar, you would be aware of Rom 4:4-6, Rom 11:6, Eph 2:10 and Gal 1:6-9 which describes how we cannot merit grace and how our works count for nothing and are but filthy rags to God - see Isaiah 64:6.
Can you explain how the church justifies un-biblical teaching on such matters? In affect, catholicism asks people to believe tradition over Gods word, but if we are to worship God, we need to do so in spirit and truth John 4:20-24, and not to exceed what is written 1 Cor 4:6.
Tradition that clashes with biblical truth is what we are warned of by Jesus in Mark 7:7-9 and tradition in many areas far exceeds what is written in Gods word.
Dont get me wrong, I am not anti-catholic, but am concenred the church can be so "creative" in areas that to be blunt, mislead people so blatantly.
Can you please use scripture to back up your responses.
In Christ,
Brian.
Answer
For a more complete look at justification, grace and merit, please check all the relevant paragraphs in the Catechism -- 1987-2027.
To understand the message of scripture, one has to look at all relevant passages and come to a coordianted and non-contradictory conclusion about the intended truth[s]. Since God, the source of scripture [and tradition] is the ultimate and infallible truth, His message is both one [consistent]and true. So, the task of understanding scripture becomes an analysis of all the texts in order to see how they teach a coordinated truth.
While the first grace is a gratuitous gift of God, people must then cooperate. While faith is necessary, so too are good works. Some examples of texts that call for good works include: Mt 19:16-17; James 1:22, 2:14-26. In Paul writings: Rom 2:6, 8:12; Gal 6:2,7,4:17-24.
So, the message of scripture is both faith and good works. Is the phrase Dinkum Oil still in vogue?
Concerning merit, some passages usually cited are: Col 3:23-24; Heb 10:35; 2 Thes 1:5; 2 Tim 4:8; 1 Cor 3:8; 2 Cor 9:6.
Hope these thoughts help.
Best wishes.
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