“Everything is grace.”
~St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Grace is the divine gift that draws us into relationship with God. It’s not earned—it’s given freely out of love. And it’s the foundation of sainthood.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”
—Ephesians 2:8
🔍 Types of Grace
To understand how grace leads us toward sainthood, we first need to look at its two main forms:
✨ Actual Grace
This is the grace we receive at birth. It’s given to every soul—like a gentle nudge from God, helping us choose good over evil. Think of it as that gnawing feeling inside us, like a whisper from our guardian angel or the voice of conscience when we’re deciding what’s right.
“The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all.”
—Titus 2:11
🔥 Sanctifying Grace
Sanctifying grace is the indwelling of God’s life in our soul. It begins at baptism and grows through our openness to the Blessed Trinity. Each time we receive a sacrament—Eucharist, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Marriage—it deepens. It’s the richness of God alive in us, the quiet joy of living a Christian life.
“Abide in me, and I in you… apart from me you can do nothing.”
—John 15:4–5
🕊️ Grace Through the Trinity
I’ve heard it said:
God is the candle, Jesus is the flame, and the Holy Spirit is the warmth we feel.
This image helps me understand how grace flows through the Trinity—always active, always present.
Actual grace is always at work in our lives. Sanctifying grace, however, grows—or stagnates—depending on how we choose to live. As my priest said, it’s our choice.
What God commands, He also gives the grace to accomplish.
~St. Augustine of Hippo
➕ Grace + Action = Growth
I think of it like this:
A + B = C
- A = Grace given to us
- B = Our response and actions
- C = The outcome in our lives
The more we respond—by going to church, reading Scripture, doing works of mercy, receiving the sacraments—the more grace grows. And as grace grows, we become saintlier.
“Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
—James 2:17
🌱 Grace Feels Different for Everyone
How grace feels in our lives depends on our openness. It’s a gift, and it manifests differently in each of us. Just look at the saints—no two are alike. Some were scholars, some were mystics, some were mothers, some were martyrs. Grace shaped each one uniquely.
💔 Grace and Sin
When we sin, we separate ourselves from grace. There are two kinds of sin:
- Venial sin: wounds our relationship with God but doesn’t sever it.
- Mortal sin: breaks our communion with God and must be healed through confession.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us… and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
—1 John 1:9
Once we confess, grace returns. It’s a continuous gift—but it grows through the sacraments.
✝️ Grace Through the Sacraments
Each sacrament is a channel of grace. It’s not the priest who gives it—it’s Jesus, acting through him by the power of the Holy Spirit.
“Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.”
—John 6:53
God doesn’t want to be separate from us. He loves us. He wants a relationship. And through grace, we develop a deeper, richer union with Him.
🕯️ Closing Reflection
Grace is always offered. It’s our response that determines how deeply it grows. Through the sacraments, Scripture, and daily surrenders, we become more like the One who gives it.
“Grace is everywhere. It is always available. But we must be disposed to receive it.”
~St. Padre Pio
Through the years I have noticed when I failed to follow my Lord, Savior, Jesus Christ, I have felt the pains of being distant from Him. I have always found the closer I am to Our Lord, the better my life is no matter what. How is grace moving in your life today?
Prayer for the Proper Use of Grace
By St. Thomas Aquinas
Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart,
which no unworthy affection may drag downwards;
Give me an unconquered heart,
which no tribulation can wear out;
Give me an upright heart,
which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside.
Bestow upon me also, O Lord my God,
understanding to know You, diligence to seek You,
wisdom to find You, and a life which may please You,
a perseverance which may wait for You,
and a confidence which may finally embrace You.
Amen.
Previous post Becoming a Saint in God’s Eyes (Part 1)
- Becoming a Saint in God’s Eyes: Part 1
- Becoming a Saint, Part III: Works
- Becoming a Saint in God’s Eyes: Part IV: The Journey Grace and Works Joined Together
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