My choices and the heresies they sometimes represent
This past weekend I went to Church in Beverly, Massachusetts at St. Mary Star of the Sea, as part of a trip to see Hammond Castle. The priest's homily, which was excellent, focused on the Pelagian heresy. And two thoughts occurred to me: the most poignant perhaps was that at so many points in my life, and even within some relationships, I have sought to be a better man or be a sinless man. It is a natural desire, to live as closely with God as possible. But what this priest did, what he said, and what really resonated, was that to seek to do that all on your own was a special heresy taken from the ancients: that God's grace wasn't needed to overcome our inherent flaws and our easy sinfulness. And how true, how apt! It is a form of pride, of arrogance, to seek to live life sinless without grace, and to expect the reward of heaven as the product of the work and effort one puts into their souls. And while we do not live by simplistic absolutes, and can understand the important place of justification, of acts and works, and of the spirit moving both heart and hand, none of these things can be done without God's involvement. Just lately I have been reading more about grace, for I can now say that I don't think I ever fully understood the concept. This New Advent article series has been very enlightening so far. This priest was able to approach my life from afar, and really give me something to consider: that all this time I had been trying to live like a Saint, I was guilty of the pride of expecting that I could do it with enough effort. I need to be better grounded in prayer, I need a life full of more gratitude and selflessness, and less focus on trying to get to heaven through the inconsequential actions of myself.Labels: Catholic, heaven, heresy, homily, justification
posted by . @ 7:30 AM
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