Grace - A Gift from God

Homily for Friday of the First Week of Advent

Grace is a gift that comes in many forms. Several examples of God’s grace are enumerated in today’s reading from the prophet Isaiah: the deaf shall hear, the blind shall see, the lowly will know joy, and the poor will rejoice. When Jesus bursts upon the scene after thousands of years of waiting on the part of the children of Israel, God’s grace seems to explode at the very beginnings of Jesus’ ministry. The first chapters of the synoptic Gospels offer us scene after scene of Jesus healing, curing, and causing joy.

The word “grace” is also used to describe the prayer that we pray before and after meals. The term "grace" in this context refers to the kindness or favor of God, acknowledged verbally in gratitude for the provision of daily sustenance. Saying grace is a practice that offers a prayer of thanksgiving to God before or after a meal, reflecting the belief that humans should thank God who is believed to be the origin of everything. This tradition is rooted in scriptural calls to give thanks, such as those found in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Matthew 15:36, where Jesus and the apostle Paul are seen giving thanks before meals. The practice is also supported by early Christian documents and archaeological findings, which confirm the prevalence of mealtime prayers in early Christian gatherings. Saying grace serves as a reminder of God's abundant providence and the communal or familial bond in sharing the meal.

Grace reminds us that our gifts don’t belong to us alone; everything we have is lovingly made and generously to be shared. Grace makes us strong enough to bear God’s Good News into the world. When we receive God grace, do we immediately ask ourselves how we can share it? That is an important question, because failing to share a grace we have received is a sure way to lose it. Take for instance, the grace or graces we receive when we go to communion. Just as Jesus has shared himself with us, if we truly become what we have eaten, then by the very nature of the gift, Jesus expects the grace to be shared with others. Otherwise, it simply dwindles away and ceases to be effective. Those given the gift or grace of sight, as in today’s Gospel, are expected to use their new-found sight to help others find Jesus. Those who are given the gift of joy must share it with those who are sorrowful.

As we receive the grace of the Eucharist today, let us immediately consider how we can share it with others so that the gift will not diminish but will constantly grow.