grace

[Santhome youth Association]

We are living in a consumerist society with capitalist values, such
as, competition, accumulation and success. Success by all means and by
any kind of relationships is the trend of the modern society. Modern
culture has accustomed us to turn everything into an object, which can
be observed, measured, manipulated and exploited to one’s own selfish
ends. The media has turned the human body into a consumer product.
Human body has become a commodity to be used, abused and trampled on.

In this context, a Christian is reminded by the word “grace” which is
frequently used in prayers to acknowledge everything in life as given
gratuitously by God. Our day to day life is surrounded by gifts that
have been given by God unasked: the sun, the moon, the stars, the sky,
the air, the earth; trees, plants, flowers, fruits, grains; birds and
other animals; our culture, language, art, music, science, technology
and its contributions; and our own life, family and relatives. This
awareness of givenness should make us humble and grateful towards God
and others (Ps 8:3-5). St. Paul asks, “What do you have that you did
not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast of it as if it
were not a gift?” (1Cor 4:7).

The word grace points to the relationship between God and the world
and in a distinctive way God-human relationship. This relationship
begins with God who unfolded the world of grace through creation,
covenant and incarnation. Thus grace is everywhere and all is of
grace. In this relationship God offers not just a favour or a gift but
His own life to human beings through Christ in the Spirit. God’s self-
gift to us is the Uncreated grace, the Spirit (Gal 4:6). This
indwelling of the Spirit has elevated us to a new level of communion
in the life of God. Since God’s Spirit dwells in us, we are the temple
of the Holy Spirit (1Cor 3:16). Hence, our body is not an object to be
used and abused but the temple of the Holy Spirit to be glorified God
(1Cor 6:20).

In this relationship with God, Christians are called to live and walk
by the Spirit (Gal 5:25). St. Paul says, “To set our mind on the
Spirit is life and peace” (Rom 8:6). The Spirit bestows charisms upon
every member of the community corresponding to the quality of each
one’s vocation and service. While the gifts of the Spirit (Is 11:2)
are given to help us grow in holiness, the charisms (1Cor 12:8-10) are
given to use for the common good, to build up the community (1Cor
12:7). Each one is given the charisms differently for the common
good; therefore, each one is indispensable and irreplaceable in the
community. There is no place for jealousy or competition in the groups
or community.

A Christian who lives in the Spirit and produces the fruits of the
Spirit in life (Gal 5:25) is “grace” for others. We can impart grace
to others through our gracious talk (Eph 4:29; Col 4:6), by visiting
one another (2Cor 1:15), by our very presence and through our good
deeds. As Christian youth you are called to be the conscience of the
modern society by becoming grace for others.

Our relationship with God is nurtured through prayers, sacraments,
sacrifices and charitable works. We go to the Church to pray not out
of fear of punishment or obligation but out of love for God who gives
gratuitously. We live as true Christians in this modern consumerist
society when we are able to say like St. Paul, “by the grace of God I
am what I am” (1Cor 15:10).