Everything is Grace

Readings for Tuesday, August 17:
Ezekiel 28:1-10
Deuteronomy 32:26-28,30,35,36
Matthew 19:23-30

Everything is grace. Everything.

The fact that we have come here tonight is proof that God’s grace is active in our lives. Nothing that we do is because of ourselves, but because of God’s grace. Every breath we take is because His grace allows us. Every time we go to pray, it is because God compels us to do so. Everything is grace.

The Prince of Tyre in the reading from the prophet Ezekiel forgot that. He thought he could do what he wanted and not rely upon God’s grace but rather in his own wisdom, wealth, and power. And in the end, he is told by the Lord that he cannot save himself and can do nothing for himself truly.

Our gospel speaks also of salvation and tells us that it is a gift, the greatest gift really. The disciples struggled with that question of ‘who can attain salvation? Who can be saved?’ And on Christ’s lips we hear the response ‘for men it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.’ He speaks of this simple fact of all things being because of His grace. And what is the best way to recall this fact, that all things are grace, than to be thankful; to be thankful for each breath that we take, for God bringing us here safely tonight. For everything that we do, we are called to give thanks to God. Tonight, before you go to sleep, reflect on those things and give thanks for all of those things that we take for granted each day.

And as we come to celebrate this Eucharist, which literally means ‘thanksgiving’, let us call out to God and ask for all of those graces, for He has much in store for us and simply desires that we ask and receive.