2.11 Grace and Sacramental Nature of Reality

What is Grace?

• Grace: The free and unconditional gift of God's love to all people.

• It is the love that unites the three Persons of the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).

• Helps people become aware of what God wants for them.

• Pours out from the Trinity, giving life to all creation.

• Strengthens believers to do God's will and leads them into a deeper relationship with Him.

The Sacramental Nature of Reality

• Catholics believe the whole of reality can be seen as a sacrament, which means a sign of God's grace.

• The world and everything in it is a sign of God's love.

• God's presence and love can be seen throughout creation.

The Role of the Incarnation

• Before the incarnation, God was seen as a distant being, though caring.

• The incarnation (Jesus becoming human) helped people to understand God's love and see Him as a living presence in the world.

• Even though Jesus is no longer physically on earth, His spirit remains active, continuing to share God's love.

• Jesus is the ultimate gift from God, showing His love and making reality sacramental.

• Since Jesus lived on earth, people can now see God as a living and active presence in the world.