THE WORKIGS OF GRACE LEADS TO PERFECTION

 Meditation for Tuesday of 11^th Week in Ordinary Time
(2 Cor 8:1-9; Mt 5:43-48)

On our meditation this Tuesday, we continue to journey with St Paul as unveils to us the hidden dynamics of the workings of grace. He drew a practical example from the manifestation of the grace of God in the Churches of Macedonia. “For in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of liberty on their part.” This was because, from their disadvantaged situation, they rendered charity to the apostles out of their own free will. “And this, not as we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.” St Paul noted that this was the work of grace, which we ought to emulate. If the grace of God is at work in us, we too shall render ourselves to God and to one another in charity, even in our moments of Cross or lack.

At this point St Paul talks about growth in grace. As we grow in every other aspect of our lives, we must ensure we grow in cooperating with the grace of God and excel in the gracious work also. This growth comes as we receive and learn from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, “That though He was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich.”

It is by the workings of grace that we strive for perfection. From the abundance of God’s grace, available and accessible to us, do we understand and relate to Jesus’ injunction in the Gospel of today: “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” God’s graciousness reaches both the evil and good, the just and unjust. The beauty of the dynamics of the workings of grace is that it is revealed at such moment of tension, moment of trial and cross. What then differentiates the child of grace from the children of the world if he cannot love his enemies or he salutes only his brethren? “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Amen

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Tuesday June 15, 2021.
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