Living the grace of God

Recently photos of Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis appeared in the diocesan press with the following captions - under Pope John Paul II was the quote "This is what we believe." The caption summarizes to a great extent the direction of that pope's reign. Under Pope Benedict's photo was the quote "This is why we believe it." Again, to a great extent, the quote summarizes the direction of Benedict's papacy. Under Pope Francis' photo was the caption, "Now go do it."

If you have even a smattering familiarity with the homilies and talks given by Pope Francis, you will recognize the emphasis he gives in reminding Christians to actively live their faith. To love God, we must love our neighbor. To love our neighbor, we must love God. "To live" and "to love" are active verbs.

In the Old Testament Book of Joshua, the leader Joshua gathers the Israelites together as they are about to enter the Promised Land and reminds them of all that God has done for them. Yes, he says, you needed to extend yourselves and make your sacrifices and utilize your strengths, but none of that could have made any difference had they not cooperated with God's grace.

The Gospel of Matthew recounts the admonitions of Jesus to the Pharisees over their stubbornness regarding marriage and divorce. What Jesus emphasizes most is that living a life of fidelity to spouse or to celibacy is not possible without cooperating in God's grace.

No matter what our situation in life is, we will not find meaning or purpose or satisfaction if we do not give up our own agendas and cooperate with God's grace. This is especially true of young men who have their eyes on the priesthood or religious life. It is likewise true for women interested in religious life. Am I open to the grace of God or have I already decided what God has in mind for me?

We know what we believe. We may even know why we believe it. The hardest part is living it. Living it means cooperating with the grace of God as God reveals his grace to us.