Grace Abounds and We Are Changed

butterfly emerges

In a year of intense sacramental preparation, the second graders look to me as their catechist to
explain to them the meaning of “grace.” As they prepare for both First Reconciliation and First
Communion, it is important to them and to me that they understand this gift from God that, as
the traditional song tells us, is quite amazing. How can I explain to the sweet children before
me what I have noticed, experienced, and felt when in the presence of grace?

Section 1997 of the Catechism tells us that “Grace is a participation in the life of God. It
introduces us into the intimacy of Trinitarian life.” What does it look like to become intimate with
the Trinity? What does it feel like to share life with God? How do we experience this in our
lives?

The Power of Grace

In this past year, I have felt the power of grace through participation in sacraments at my parish.
It has opened my eyes and my heart to the transformative quality and constant availability of
this gift from God. I have learned that grace is all around me if I open my heart and eyes to
notice it. God deeply desires that I participate in his divine life and invites me in varied ways to
intimacy with him.

In the sacrament of the Eucharist, as I distribute communion to daily Mass attendees, I am
deeply touched by the devotion, love, pain, faith, and conviction I see in the eyes of those who
approach. The connection of these beautiful people to the real presence of Christ is something
I can physically feel as I witness this mingling of human and divine. I watch as those who have
just lost a loved one or overcome a sickness or reconciled with a friend come forward and
receive what they need from our loving and generous God, his very presence. My eyes fill with
tears and my heart is moved by an abundance of grace. And I am changed.

Forgiveness

At a recent opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation, as priests were spread around the
worship space to allow for several people to participate in the sacrament simultaneously, I
glanced around from my pew and was overcome by emotion as I saw person after person
receiving the grace of forgiveness.

As repentant sinners were pouring out their hearts, God was showering his mercy, his love, and his grace upon them. I could actually feel the peace, the joy, the gratitude, the relief in the hearts of those present. It was as if grace itself had a presence in the building that day. My soul was stirred by an outpouring of grace. And I was changed.

Sharing in Divine Love

While these two sacraments provide an opportunity for grace as often as we choose to receive
them, sacraments that we might witness less often also give us a chance to share in the love
and life of the Trinity. While recently attending a wedding, as the bride and groom shared their
vows of commitment and love, I was once again moved to tears by the realization of the way
they were sharing in divine love.

As they stood before God and made a commitment to include him in their union, I silently renewed the commitment I had made over three decades before to make God a part of my marriage. I recalled how God had guided my husband and me over many years to seek his will and follow his guidance. My memories were touched by an experience of grace. And I was changed.

Baptism

Our life of grace begins at the first sacrament we receive, that of baptism, but we are often too
young to remember the feeling when the water is poured over us or the smell of the sacred
chrism which anoints us. And yet, when we sign ourselves with the holy water as we enter our
church buildings or are present at the baptism of a loved one, we recommit to what we
celebrated at our baptism. As section 683 of the Catechism states, “Baptism gives us the grace
of new birth in God the Father, through his Son, in the Holy Spirit.” We are born into the
Trinitarian life. We enter into an ongoing cycle of self-giving love. And we are changed.

We Are Changed

After reflecting on my many recent experiences, what would I communicate with the second
graders about grace? I would start by telling them that grace is a gift from God. It will come to
them at the moments when they notice God’s love and presence inside of them and in those
around them. It is showered upon them by Christ through the sacraments. It is real. It is
powerful. It is truly amazing. It is something they can feel and something they can see. And
when they encounter the intense, personal, and self-giving love of the Trinity, and it becomes
part of them, they will forever be changed.

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7 thoughts on “Grace Abounds and We Are Changed”

  1. Michelle so beautifully described the reciprocal grace that we receive by participating in the sacraments. Her description of what she felt when distributing communion mimics my own experience. While I have shared this experience very rarely and only with those closest to me, Michelle scribes it perfectly to share with the world through her article. I will forever feel a kinship with her through her willingness to share a very intimate piece of herself with us. May God grant her family peace as they mourn their loss. May Michelle forever be cradled in the loving arms of Jesus.

  2. Such a beautiful piece from a beautiful heart. I know Jesus was there to welcome Michelle with open arms. May she have eternal peace. I pray her family is comforted in knowing that others care about them and Michelle.

  3. A note to our readers: Hudson resident Michelle Meder, died in a hiking accident this weekend, just after her first column was published.

    Eric Marotta of Akron Beacon Journal/BeaconJournal.com, a reporter for USA TODAY Network, is working on an article about her. Eric will include a reprint of her article on Grace in his column.

    Please pray for Michelle, her loved ones, and especially for her children.

  4. Considering the events of this past weekend the timing and message in the column really hit me hard. Michelle was a wonderful example of God’s grace and love and joyfully shared her faith and this joy was contagious. She will be greatly missed but we have faith that she is at home with God.

    1. Annamarie Dalziel

      When asking my friends who did not know Michele , for prayers for Michele and her family, I tried to explain the beautiful woman she was and always felt inadequate. I think this article explains much better than my words who she was and whose she was. Thank you so much for sharing.

  5. Pingback: MONDAY EDITION – Big Pulpit

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