Grace and Opus Dei

[Wesrock]

“Works of the law” generally refers to the Jewish laws such as circumcision, observance of certain lunar feasts, etc… not corporeal or spiritual works of mercy. But yes, even works if mercy don’t justify or save us.

I think Opus Dei’s emphasis is due to its particular mission, and it believes we are all called not just to be saved but to live as saints here on Earth. But I agree that they emphasize certain facets of Catholic teaching, and that may not speak to everyone. And I think your own preference for emphasis is quite beautiful and admirable and there’s certainly nothing wrong or contradictory about it.

 

[animalis]

“The truth that by means of work man participates in the activity of God himself, his Creator, was given particular prominence by Jesus Christ—the Jesus at whom many of his first listeners in Nazareth “were astonished, saying, ‘Where did this man get all this? What is the wisdom given to him?… Is not this the carpenter?’*”. For Jesus not only proclaimed but first and foremost fulfilled by his deeds the “gospel”, the word of eternal Wisdom, that had been entrusted to him. Therefore this was also “the gospel of work”, because he who proclaimed it was himself a man of work, a craftsman like Joseph of Nazareth. And if we do not find in his words a special command to work—but rather on one occasion a prohibition against too much anxiety about work and life—at the same time the eloquence of the life of Christ is unequivocal: he belongs to the “working world”, he has appreciation and respect for human work. It can indeed be said that he looks with love upon human work and the different forms that it takes, seeing in each one of these forms a particular facet of man’s likeness with God, the Creator and Father.”

John Paul II. (1981). Laborem Exercens, 26. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

 

[Dorothy]

I can’t help but remember that in the private revelation of Our Lady of Fatima she recommended to us “the penance of our daily duties”.

This was explained to me that we are to do our particular work throughout the day, for the love of God.

The boring things, the things we do not particularly care to do, (mowing the lawn, mopping floors, etc.).

We can focus on the Lord with our Blessed Mother and do these things for the love of the Lord.

Of course, we can offer our joys to Him as well!

 

[Bookcat]

Bookcat

many thanks for all you replies. They are very sound.

We essentially agree.

I wonder where my discomfort comes from. I think it is a matter of emphasis. I would like to see more emphasis on God’s mercy, his love for us, his saving grace, and the life of Jesus, rather than our work, our love, our lives.

Yes and that first part is a focus in Opus Dei as well.

The second part is yes also a focus - but it is also a focus in the Church Universal.

I think in part you just have encountered some particular focus on our work etc. and wished at the moment that the other aspects be focused on “in that particular encounter or exposure” with Opus Dei.

Sort of like a person encountering the St. Mother Teresa’s Sisters and encountering at that moment an emphasis on the poor…

It reminds me of myself so many years ago when I first become a Catholic - and I went to a sort of retreat sort of talk at a Shrine…the talk was on the Passion of Jesus and during Lent.

I went to a Monk there whom I knew afterwards…concerned that the Resurrection was not emphasized! He kindly explained to me the nature of the event (Lenten evening focused on the Passion of Our Lord)…

 

[Bookcat]

You write “we can further sanctify ourselves”. No we cannot. God sanctifies us.

“Sanctify ourselves” is term that is used in the Church at times in the spiritual life. It is not meaning that God is not rather involved in our further sanctification. It does though bring to light the reality that God gives us the dignity of involving us. Jesus tells us this and that to do…and to* be perfect* as your Heavenly Father is perfect …

The term “Sanctify ourselves” is not meaning it is our action without God…it is not by ourselves…of course …“without me you can do nothing” as Jesus taught us.

“This is the will of God: your holiness!” (1 Thess 4:3)

 

[fhansen]

I read in the CCC 1987 The grace of the Holy Spirit has the power to justify us, that is, to cleanse us from our sins and to communicate to us “the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ” and through Baptism.

I also believe that Opus Dei teaches us that we can gain God’s friendship, acceptance by God, entry to heaven and/or salvation by conscientiously doing our jobs and duties. This sound like being justified, made righteousness, being in the state of grace by works.

I am sure OD’s teaching is not in conflict with the Catholic Church and I realise that groups and individuals in the Church have different charisms and emphases. So I would like clarification on Opus Dei’s teaching on the efficacy of doing our duties in gaining holiness/grace.

In particular I would like to see discussed official Opus Dei writings on grace and justification. I have found opusdei.ie/en-ie/document/letter-from-the-prelate-august-2008/ excellent.

The best article I have seen is by Cardinal Scheffczyk en.romana.org/art/43_8.0_2

However it seems to me that OD emphasizes work as leading to holiness rather than grace.

I would welcome comments.

From the Council of Trent, session 6 on justification, chap 10:
**
CHAPTER X.
On the increase of Justification received.

Having, therefore, been thus justified, and made the friends and domestics of God, advancing from virtue to virtue, they are renewed, as the Apostle says, day by day; that is, by mortifying the members of their own flesh, and by presenting them as instruments of justice unto sanctification, they, through the observance of the commandments of God and of the Church, faith co-operating with good works, increase in that justice which they have received through the grace of Christ, and are still further justified, as it is written; He that is just, let him be justified still; and again, Be not afraid to be justified even to death; and also, Do you see that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. And this increase of justification holy Church begs, when she prays, “Give unto us, O Lord, increase of faith, hope, and charity.”**

 

[Edward_H]

Opus Dei doesn’t have “any teaching” of its own with respect to grace. It would simply point people to the CCC and other Church documents.

Opus Dei is an organization whose only mission is to provide formation to people…not just Catholics…who want to struggle in holiness, who want to develop a lively interior life.

Its spirituality is really what it offers to the Church, showing us how everyone - not just cloistered or not just clerics and religious - can sanctify the world directly from where they are, without leaving it.

It’s “miserly” in a sense…suggesting that we all need to learn how to “squeeze out” of the ordinary circumstances of our lifie…our work life, our family events and struggles, setbacks, joys, sufferings…every single moment…all the graces that we can.

We can “squeeze” more out of every moment…and we must! God awaits us in every moment, around every corner…He is waiting for us to love, to respond to Him, to talk with Him about what is going on at that moment in our life.

Opus Dei teaches people how to do this. Takes practice, repetition, training, reminders, and lots and lots of grace from God.

Pray, mortify, smile. Opus Dei in 3 words.