Faith of Our Fathers

New Zealand Tablet, 24 November 1921, Page 33

Faith of Our Fathers

u[A> Weekly Instruction for y Young and Old.] ; i" > „ ' ' Third Article: Sanctifying Grace. , 10. The doctrine' concerning sanctifying grace may be reduced .to four; questions—(l) What is sanctifying grace? (2) What are its effects? (3) How may it he acquired ? or lost? (4) ) By. what signs can its : presence he-recognised ; in the soul? /. './■...'.:■"--:■'.' ', ;'-<;-■-■.p^'S; -"-) v ■ V. -V. (1) Definition. Sanctifying grace is a "supernatural gift which, dwelling in our souls, renders us just, holy, agreeable to God, and capable of/meriting eternal life. This divine gift is, a Equality, an abiding influence divinely diffused in the soul, united to it and inherent to ; it' as life is to the body that it animates. This grace renders man just and holy in. the eyes of God, as his corporal life con- > stitutes him a living being in the"'eyes' of man. '. . .',,'• : V Sanctifying grace, commonly designated in Scripture by the word .life,; is in reality the supernatural life of the soul; a real life .like that of the body, but invisible and latent like the life hidden in a seed. It is also called light, seed, pledge, seal, or mark of the Holy Spirit, unction, -fountain,; charity. ' , -; V Sanctifying grace is called; charity, because it is inseparable from charity, as the sun is from its own light. . Other virtues besides charity always accompany sancti- : fying grace; for, together with it, the three ; theological virtues, the cardinal and other moral virtues, as well as the -gifts of the Holy,Ghost, are all diffused in the soul.: : , (2) Effects of sanctifying grace.—(l) It makes us■ iniio-' cent by effacing : sin from our souls. Grace casts out ■ sin, ■as light dispels darkness, as a; resurrection to. life chases * away death. (2) It renders us just, holy, and the friends of God. ;; The soul 'adorned by grace is beloved by God with an ineffable love; the Blessed Trinity takes possession of it and- dwells therein. (3) It makes us. partakers of the ; ; divine nature, and as like unto God as the creature can be to the Creator here below. (4) It enables us to bring forth "the works of heaven, works that merit eternal life. (5) It makes us become children of God by adoption, heirs of God and co-heirs with Jesus* Christ. ■': (3) Sanctifying grace may be acquired, (1) by baptism ; and the other Sacraments received with due dispositions; (2) by air act .of perfect charity. -.' It is lost by mortal sin. That grave violation of the law of God which Ave call mortal sin is like. a deep wound that destroys the life of grace in the soul, and makes it . appear in the eyes of God like a hideous corpse impressed ;' with the likeness of the devil."

It is preserved by the faithful observance of the law of God, by the avoidance of mortal sin.

It is augmented and increased by prayer, the Sacraments, and all good works. It is capable of continual increase during this life: “The path of'the just, as a shining light, goeth forwards, and increaseth even to perfect dav” (Prov. iv. 18). ■ ~ . (4)-By what signs can its presence be recognised in the soul?—Sanctifying grace, being an entirely spiritual and invisible gift, a divine treasure concealed in man as in a of clay, is not made evidently manifest, as life is in a living body, or as light in crystal. ; At the same time, hpwever, there are signs by which we may have a moral assurance of being in the grace of God, namely: (1) If we dove to think of God. “Where thy treasure is, there is thy heart also” (St. Matt. vi. 21). . • (2) If we have : a love for the word of God, for His worship, and for holy things.. “He that is of God heareth the words of God” (John viii. 47). ' •' v (3) If we are faithful in observing the commandments of God. He that hath My commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me” (John xiv. 21). ' V * . (4) If we have a sincere love for our , neighbor, and practise the works of mercy towards the poor. “By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have - love one for ? another” (John xiii. 35). (5) If we have zeal for souls, and an esteem and appreciation of spiritual and imperishable things, and if we ove whatever relates to God and to-eternal things, and if we love whatever relates ;to, God andr to eternal life. “If you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth” (Coloss. iii. 1,2).

;; (6). If we , venerate the Church and her ministers in the spirit of faith and love , "I am the Good Shepherd; and I know Mine, arid Mine know Me" (John x. 14). (7) Lastly, if we have within ourselves the testimony,of a good conscience. '"lf our-heart do not reprehend'us, we have confidence towards God" (1 John ? iii. 21). J y. v ; : "For the Spirit Himself giveth testimony to : our spirit, that ,we are the sons of God" (Rom. viii. 16).