How can we merit grace?

[spn82756]

I’m a bit confused and would appreciate an explanation of par 2027 in the CCC, specifically "Moved by the Holy Spirit, we can merit for ourselves and others all the graces needed to attain eternal life, as well as necessary temporal goods. How can we merit this from God?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

You skipped the very crucual first sentence of that paragraph. Number 2027 reads: “No one can merit the initial grace which is at the origin of conversion.” Then it continues: “Moved by the Holy Spirit, we can merit for ourselves and for others aoll the graaces needed to attain eternal life, as well as necessary temporal goods.”

Number 2026 tells us that the grace of the Holy Spirit can confer true merit on us. So with the Holy Spirit empowering us, we CAN merit grace–and ONLY with such help. With the help of the Holy Spirit we can be real dynamos!

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.