Overview:

Saturday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

A Reflection for Saturday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

“Brothers and sisters:
Grace was given to each of us
according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (Eph 4:7)

Find today’s readings here.

Despite using the word often, “grace” is something that I sometimes struggle to define or conceptualize.

I am quick to urge friends or family members to “give themselves grace,” often in the context of someone being self-critical or unfairly demanding too much of themselves. In these instances, “give yourself grace” is essentially the equivalent of “cut yourself some slack.” And I’m sure we could all benefit from cutting ourselves a bit more slack. But I think the true meaning of grace is more involved than that.

In today’s first reading, we are shown people who have been given “grace,” or “gifts,” in Christ’s effort to “fill all things.” Some are meant to be Apostles, others teachers or pastors. What is required or expected of each person is different based on the gifts they have received. The people are compared to the different parts of the body, all functioning in their own unique way and supporting one another. The goal is to bring about the body’s growth and ultimately “live the truth in love,” which happens through an individual growth process for each person, “so that we may no longer be infants.”

In this way, giving ourselves grace can most properly be equated to becoming the people we are meant to be. Of course, giving grace involves treating people (including ourselves) with kindness. But it also means operating with a sense of honesty and openness to the gifts that we have been given. We exist the way we are because the world needs us. God would not have made us otherwise. 

To give yourself grace requires a type of thoughtful reflection, meant to bring about an awareness of the grace that God has already given you. And in doing so, we can grow into the people we are meant to be. Each doing our part, each following our own path. All contributing to the bigger picture of a world that lives the truth in love.

So the next time you find yourself feeling frustrated or lost, give yourself some real grace. And feel proud of the person you are, on the way to becoming the person you are meant to be.

Jackson Goodman is the Strategic Programs Manager at America Media, creating mission-driven events in partnership with Jesuit schools and parishes. He is a graduate of Fordham Prep and Boston College.