11th Week in Ordinary Time : Monday 16th June 2025

St. Paul urges the Corinthian Christians, “…not to accept the grace of God in vain” (2 Cor. 6:1). Grace, derived from the Greek word charis, signifies unearned favour or undeserved kindness. It is a divine blessing, freely given, yet meant to transform our lives. ‘In vain’ means without a purpose, wasted or being ignored. To accept grace is to allow it to change our hearts and direct our actions. Eventually, it inculcates in us the appetite to relish life with gratitude, often a difficult response in our busy and self-centred world. Pope Francis encouraged us to spend time in rest and silent prayer to receive God’s grace, warning against the “anxiety of doing”.

St. Paul’s own life serves as a model for living out grace. Despite enduring beatings, imprisonment, and rejection, he remained steadfast in faith, demonstrating patience, courage, and endurance. He showed that God’s grace depends not on external circumstances but on our response. Even in adversity, the grace of God empowers us to live with kindness, hope and love.

Jesus offers further advice on living out grace by teaching us to love our enemies, turn the other cheek, and go the extra mile. These radical commands challenge us to go beyond our instincts, embodying a transcendental love. With Paul’s exemplary life and Jesus’ commands, we recollect God’s abundant grace which is always available to us. Let grace shape our lives and glorify Him each day.

Lord, grant me the grace to become a good Christian, because I cannot do it alone.