Grace

Grace is the free favour by which God gives man a share in his own life and makes him his child. All that man receives in order to go to God, from the first call to eternal life, comes to him from this generosity. The word itself says its gratuity, for “grace” (from the Latin gratia, which renders the Greek charis) means a gift that nothing requires and nothing claims: “From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:16

A free gift

Grace is given without being owed. It precedes man and goes before him, answering to no merit: it is God who loves and gives first. Here lies its very nature, which nothing in man can earn: “If it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” Romans 11:6

Necessary, and offered to all

Without grace, man can accomplish nothing that leads him to God: it is the beginning of all life with him and the support of the whole way, for no one draws near to God by his own strength: “Without me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 And this grace God offers to every man, for he wills the salvation of all: “God wills that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4

Given by Christ in the Spirit

Grace was fully manifested in Christ, who merited it for men by his death and resurrection: “The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men.” Titus 2:11 The Holy Spirit then pours it into hearts: “The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:5 One thus distinguishes uncreated grace, which is God himself giving himself in his Spirit, and created grace, the gift he places in the soul and that transforms it.

The forms of grace

This created grace appears under two principal modes. Sanctifying grace is the permanent gift that establishes man in the state of a child of God and abides in him. Actual grace is the passing help that God grants to accomplish a good act, then renews according to need. To these two modes are added the graces proper to each sacrament, the charisms (gifts granted to one for the good of all) and the graces attached to a vocation. All are the same generosity of God, received in diverse ways.

From grace to glory

The grace received in time is the beginning of the life that God will give in eternity. What it inaugurates here below is fulfilled in the vision of God, where the gift attains its fullness: “The Lord bestows grace and glory.” Psalm 84:12