Grace??

[truthquester]

What do people mean when they say they are or they are not in a “state of grace”

 

[OxygenMan]

Being in a state of grace means that you are attached to the cleansing grace given to us by God. When mortal sin is on our soul, we are cut off from that saving grace. It can be attained again through confession and repentance. Being outside a state of grace leaves the danger that your soul will face damnation.

 

[chimo]

What do people mean when they say they are or they are not in a “state of grace”

The Western Church puts more emphasis on the word Grace than they should. The Eastern Church tends not to use this word for Grace to them is a Person. He is the Holy Spirit. And when He is in you this is whom Grace is. The Western Church tends to designate many words to Grace such as Sanctifying Grace and Fullness of Grace and so on. This can actually give some misunderstandings to the average Joe. The correct emphasis for the average Joe is to give these Graces a name. It is always the same Holy Spirit. When a person is in a state of Grace it is simply that you have the Holy Sprit in you, that’s all. When the Holy Spirit leaves a soul it is through the action of a mortal sin. When you are empty of God because of a mortal sin then this person is no longer in a state of Grace. Venial sins do not cause the presence of the Holy Spirit to leave a soul. As long as you never committed any mortal sin you are always in a state of Grace. To receive back the Holy Spirit the Catholic Church as does the Orthodox Church delegates their people who have committed any mortal sins to their restoration by attending to the Sacrament of Confession. This Sacrament can restore the soul in receiving the Holy Spirit thus the state of Grace (the presence of the Holy Spirit in a person) is restored.

 

[R_C]

The Western Church puts more emphasis on the word Grace than they should.

According to some members of the Eastern Church, at least.

Here is the solid Catholic doctrine from Ott’s reference book.

1st Division of Grace - Gratia Increata - Gratia Creata

The Uncreated Grace is God Himslef in so far as He, in His love, from all eternity has pre-determined the gifts of grace, in so far as He has communicated Himiself in the Incarnatino of Christ’s Humanity [gratia unionis], in so far as He indwells in the soulds of the justified, and in so far as He gives Himself to the blessed for possession and enjoyment of the Beautific Vision. The Hypostatic Union, In Indwelling, and the Beautific Vision, considered as acts, are created graces, for they had a beginning in time. But the gift which is conferred on a creature in these acts is uncreated.

Created Grace is a supernatural gift or operation really distinct from God

2nd Division of Grace - Gratia Dei [Creatoris] - Gratia Christi [Redemptoris]

The Grace of God or of the Creator is the grace which God, from the sole motive of love, bestowed on the angels and on our First Parents in Paraise, who, in consequence of their sinlessness, were only negatively unworthy of the reception of grace [non digni] leaving aside the question of the merits of Christ.

The Grace of Christ or of the Redeemer is the grace, which God [from the double motive of love and mercy for men, who, in consequence of the Fall, were postively unworthy [indigni] of the reception of grace, has bestwoed and continues to bestow, in view of the merits of Christ’s Redemption. Both the Grace of God and the Grace of Christ elevate the receiver into the supernatural order of being and activity [gratia elevans]. In addition the Grace of Christ has the task of curing the wounds inflicted by sin [gratia elevans et sanans or medicinalis.]

[Paragraph deleted]

3rd Division of Grace - Gratia Externa - Gratia Interna

External Grace is any benevolent deed of God for the salvation of men, which is external to man and which affects man in a moral way only, for example: Revelation; Christ’s teaching and example; sermons; the Liturgy; the Sacraments; the example of the saints.

Internal Grace, the preistly power of consecration, the hierarchial power of jurisdiction. The possession of these gifts is independant of the personal moral composition of their possessor.

Gratia Gratum Faciens or the grace of sanctification is for all men, and its purpose is the personal sanctification of him who receives it. It makes the receiver pleaseing to God [gratum] either by formally sanctifying him [sanctifying grace] or be preparing him for sanctification, or by preserving and increasing his sanctification [actual grace]. Gratia gratis data is given to secure for men gratis gratum faciens. This latter then is more sublime and more valuable than the former.

5th Division of Grace Gratia Habitualis [sanctificans] - Gratis Actualis

Gratis gratum faciens embraces both gratia habitualis and gratia actualis.

Habitual Grace is a constant supernatural quality of the soul which sanctifies man intrinsically and makes hiim just and pleasing to God [sanctifing grace or justifying grace].

Actual grace or assisting grace or helping grace is a temporary supernatural intervention by God by which the powers of the soul are stirred up to perform a salutary act which is directed to the attaining or preservation or increase of sanctifying grace.

6th Division Gratia Actualis is distinguished into:

a] Gratia illuminationalis, the enlightenment of the intellect and gratia inspirationis, i.e., the strengthening of the Will.

b] Gratia Praeveniens [antecedens, excitans, vocans, operans] which precedes and affects a deliberate act of will, and Gratia subsequens [adjuvans, concomitans, co-operans] which accompanies and supports the deliberate act.

c] Sufficient Grace [gratia sufficiens] and effiacacious grace [gratia efficax]. The former gives a person the power to accomplish the salutary act, the latter de facto secures that the salutary act is accomplished.

 

[chimo]

According to some members of the Eastern Church, at least.

Here is the solid Catholic doctrine from Ott’s reference book.

1st Division of Grace - Gratia Increata - Gratia Creata

The Uncreated Grace is God Himslef in so far as He, in His love, from all eternity has pre-determined the gifts of grace, in so far as He has communicated Himiself in the Incarnatino of Christ’s Humanity [gratia unionis], in so far as He indwells in the soulds of the justified, and in so far as He gives Himself to the blessed for possession and enjoyment of the Beautific Vision. The Hypostatic Union, In Indwelling, and the Beautific Vision, considered as acts, are created graces, for they had a beginning in time. But the gift which is conferred on a creature in these acts is uncreated.

Created Grace is a supernatural gift or operation really distinct from God

2nd Division of Grace - Gratia Dei [Creatoris] - Gratia Christi [Redemptoris]

The Grace of God or of the Creator is the grace which God, from the sole motive of love, bestowed on the angels and on our First Parents in Paraise, who, in consequence of their sinlessness, were only negatively unworthy of the reception of grace [non digni] leaving aside the question of the merits of Christ.

The Grace of Christ or of the Redeemer is the grace, which God [from the double motive of love and mercy for men, who, in consequence of the Fall, were postively unworthy [indigni] of the reception of grace, has bestwoed and continues to bestow, in view of the merits of Christ’s Redemption. Both the Grace of God and the Grace of Christ elevate the receiver into the supernatural order of being and activity [gratia elevans]. In addition the Grace of Christ has the task of curing the wounds inflicted by sin [gratia elevans et sanans or medicinalis.]

[Paragraph deleted]

3rd Division of Grace - Gratia Externa - Gratia Interna

External Grace is any benevolent deed of God for the salvation of men, which is external to man and which affects man in a moral way only, for example: Revelation; Christ’s teaching and example; sermons; the Liturgy; the Sacraments; the example of the saints.

Internal Grace, the preistly power of consecration, the hierarchial power of jurisdiction. The possession of these gifts is independant of the personal moral composition of their possessor.

Gratia Gratum Faciens or the grace of sanctification is for all men, and its purpose is the personal sanctification of him who receives it. It makes the receiver pleaseing to God [gratum] either by formally sanctifying him [sanctifying grace] or be preparing him for sanctification, or by preserving and increasing his sanctification [actual grace]. Gratia gratis data is given to secure for men gratis gratum faciens. This latter then is more sublime and more valuable than the former.

5th Division of Grace Gratia Habitualis [sanctificans] - Gratis Actualis

Gratis gratum faciens embraces both gratia habitualis and gratia actualis.

Habitual Grace is a constant supernatural quality of the soul which sanctifies man intrinsically and makes hiim just and pleasing to God [sanctifing grace or justifying grace].

Actual grace or assisting grace or helping grace is a temporary supernatural intervention by God by which the powers of the soul are stirred up to perform a salutary act which is directed to the attaining or preservation or increase of sanctifying grace.

6th Division Gratia Actualis is distinguished into:

a] Gratia illuminationalis, the enlightenment of the intellect and gratia inspirationis, i.e., the strengthening of the Will.

b] Gratia Praeveniens [antecedens, excitans, vocans, operans] which precedes and affects a deliberate act of will, and Gratia subsequens [adjuvans, concomitans, co-operans] which accompanies and supports the deliberate act.

c] Sufficient Grace [gratia sufficiens] and effiacacious grace [gratia efficax]. The former gives a person the power to accomplish the salutary act, the latter de facto secures that the salutary act is accomplished.

Yes you have given a great deal to reflect on. My point though was not necessary a critique to Rome’s understanding of Grace but rather to give understanding to simple people. I don’t think a child could ever understand the doctrine of Grace that you have given to us. You have to be an adult and that would mean you have to wait until you grow up. I was just referring towards a simpler understanding that anyone could relate to. Once the child learns the basic understanding to the Holy Spirit and Grace then they may be more opened to these other definitions. I tend to teach catechism as well and the children understand better when I give a name to whom Grace alludes to. They respond better when I mentioned the Holy Spirit. If you change every word Grace to the Holy Spirit in those statements you gave on your post this is what I was trying to say. I agree with you whole heartily. It just much easier calling Grace, the Holy Spirit.

 

[R_C]

Yes you have given a great deal to reflect on. My point though was not necessary a critique to Rome’s understanding of Grace but rather to give understanding to simple people. I don’t think a child could ever understand the doctrine of Grace that you have given to us. You have to be an adult and that would mean you have to wait until you grow up. I was just referring towards a simpler understanding that anyone could relate to. Once the child learns the basic understanding to the Holy Spirit and Grace then they may be more opened to these other definitions. I tend to teach catechism as well and the children understand better when I give a name to whom Grace alludes to. They respond better when I mentioned the Holy Spirit. If you change every word Grace to the Holy Spirit in those statements you gave on your post this is what I was trying to say. I agree with you whole heartily. It just much easier calling Grace, the Holy Spirit.

I agree And I wasn’t trying to criticize the orthodox view on grace, either (which I personally like for many reasons). Just wanted to show in a way how many different subdivisions we have defined! Maybe, after all, we do use the word “grace” a bit too much

 

[truthquester]

Seems a little complicated for a beginner like me. I’m not simple minded but I do appreciate the more clear definition, hope that doesn’t make me sound stupid.

 

[truthquester]

The Western Church puts more emphasis on the word Grace than they should. The Eastern Church tends not to use this word for Grace to them is a Person. He is the Holy Spirit. And when He is in you this is whom Grace is. The Western Church tends to designate many words to Grace such as Sanctifying Grace and Fullness of Grace and so on. This can actually give some misunderstandings to the average Joe. The correct emphasis for the average Joe is to give these Graces a name. It is always the same Holy Spirit. When a person is in a state of Grace it is simply that you have the Holy Sprit in you, that’s all. When the Holy Spirit leaves a soul it is through the action of a mortal sin. When you are empty of God because of a mortal sin then this person is no longer in a state of Grace. Venial sins do not cause the presence of the Holy Spirit to leave a soul. As long as you never committed any mortal sin you are always in a state of Grace. To receive back the Holy Spirit the Catholic Church as does the Orthodox Church delegates their people who have committed any mortal sins to their restoration by attending to the Sacrament of Confession. This Sacrament can restore the soul in receiving the Holy Spirit thus the state of Grace (the presence of the Holy Spirit in a person) is restored.

When you refer to mortal sins, are they the 7 deadly sins that people often refer to?

 

[TomD123]

Seems a little complicated for a beginner like me. I’m not simple minded but I do appreciate the more clear definition, hope that doesn’t make me sound stupid.

When you refer to mortal sins, are they the 7 deadly sins that people often refer to?

One way of looking at the state of grace is that we become God’s adopted children through his grace. This gift goes hand in hand with the virtue of charity (love of God and neighbor). We can lose this grace if we do something completely contrary to charity (i.e. mortal sin) This drives God from our lives completely.

Because being in the state of grace means being an adopted child of God, it means we are also heirs to heaven. By destroying this relationship through mortal sin, we become worthy of hell.

The 7 deadly sins are more categories of sins. A mortal sin is any sin completely contrary to love of God and/or neighbor. Some actions are clearly incompatible with this virtue of charity. However, in order for one to actually commit a mortal sin, they must do these evil actions with full knowledge of their gravity and completely free and deliberate consent. Often you will hear these reffered to as the “requirements” for mortal sin: 1) grave matter (the actions completely incompatible with love of God/neighbor), 2) full knowledge, 3) deliberate consent.

 

[chimo]

When you refer to mortal sins, are they the 7 deadly sins that people often refer to?

It depends if the sin causes you to lose whatever presence of God that is in you. Jesus stated to St. Maria Faustina that no sin drives Him out of a soul unless it is mortal. Now you must remember that Jesus speaks to Catholics in the language that suits them and He speaks to the Orthodox the language known to them. If Maria was an Orthodox He would have said to her that any mortal sin drives the Holy Spirit out of that soul. In either case He is correct. God is out! The seven deadly sins are not necessarily for instance classified as mortal until it is committed. For instance you may have temptation to commit adultery with someone. This is not mortal until you commit it. The thoughts are never mortal. As long as you have the thoughts to do this sin you are not committing any mortal sin but it is in this time you can try to be victorious over it. Please consult your priest if you wish to know more about what is mortal and what is venial. Anyone committing any mortal sin will no longer have God in them and they are more easily prone towards more assaults of the devil.

 

[chimo]

I agree And I wasn’t trying to criticize the orthodox view on grace, either (which I personally like for many reasons). Just wanted to show in a way how many different subdivisions we have defined! Maybe, after all, we do use the word “grace” a bit too much

No you are right. It is a credit to the Catholic Church and to her own understanding that gives her the wisdom to find out the truth. I hope the gentleman was not thinking I was implying he was a simple minded person. I use the word simple meaning it as the time we can learn from the start. I apologize if he believes I was referring to him. I was not. I am only thinking how important it is to make things simpler for people. I find the great Church of the West with all her wisdom and understanding is more geared for adults than it is for children. However living in the East I found out this Church is much more geared for the children. I lived in the Western Church for the first half of my life. Since the Orthodox receive Communion from the days they are baptised I have to find ways to help them understand Jesus and the Holy Spirit in ways they can relate to when they reach for instance 7 or 8 years old.

 

[Publisher]

Grace is the unmerited favor of God. All humanity is in one state of grace or antoher…grace is something that cannot be earned…it is a gift received thru faith…'it is the gift of God.

 

[truthquester]

No you are right. It is a credit to the Catholic Church and to her own understanding that gives her the wisdom to find out the truth. I hope the gentleman was not thinking I was implying he was a simple minded person. I use the word simple meaning it as the time we can learn from the start. I apologize if he believes I was referring to him. I was not. I am only thinking how important it is to make things simpler for people. I find the great Church of the West with all her wisdom and understanding is more geared for adults than it is for children. However living in the East I found out this Church is much more geared for the children. I lived in the Western Church for the first half of my life. Since the Orthodox receive Communion from the days they are baptised I have to find ways to help them understand Jesus and the Holy Spirit in ways they can relate to when they reach for instance 7 or 8 years old.

I understand that you weren’t calling me simple, I’m not insulted and I do appreciate the laymans definition.