February 28: Finding Grace in Forgiving Oneself

            While we often contemplate forgiving others, we rarely consider forgiving ourselves. But we recognize that we are God’s tools, which may mean that we create the forgiveness God intends for us. Practicing grace toward ourselves releases us from our insecurities. May God give us the strength to forgive ourselves for our mistakes and our regrets. May we choose Jesus’ mission as our example and continue our search for grace by finding ways to forgive ourselves.

Photo by author, taken in Malacca, Malaysia

February 23: Finding Grace in Forgiving Others

             May we find grace in learning to forgive others. In accepting others’ flaws, we acknowledge our own humanity and allow ourselves space to make mistakes. We release ourselves from grudges and begin to heal our wounds. We strengthen our faith by emulating Jesus’ characteristics of compassion and forgiveness. May God encourage others to accept the forgiveness we offer and may we find grace in the act of forgiving itself.

Photo by author, taken at St. Paul's Church in Malacca, Malaysia

February 21: Contentment in Grace Alone

            Being saved by grace alone can be surprisingly difficult to accept. In a society measured by achievements and productions, we think we must be constantly working towards God’s love. So we ask God to guide us towards contentment in grace alone. We seek peace in the knowledge that God accepts us on the virtue of love rather than on the amount of effort we show. May we feel a sense of calm knowing that, while good works are valuable in themselves, security is guaranteed through God’s care for us and for all of Creation.

Photo by author

February 17: Learning to Accept God’s Grace

            Although we recognize God’s grace as wholly and freely given, we still struggle to accept that grace for ourselves. It is possible to feel that we do not deserve forgiveness, that we are too flawed to be loved. So we ask God to grant us the security we need to accept the grace offered to us. May we know that whatever our weaknesses may be, God loves us for our humanity. Even in times when we feel broken, let us feel more complete by the gift of God’s grace.

Photo by Carl Cusack '17

Grace: February 15 through April 16

Introduction

            Grace is a word used so often in our society and our faith that the word may seem drained of meaning. We hear of God’s unconditional grace for us and yet we continue to pass judgment on others and ourselves, constantly frustrated by the shortcomings of others and by our own failings. Because of this, we must take this time to make grace an intentional practice, so that we may live the truth of Jesus’ forgiveness for humanity every day.

            We begin our search for grace in acceptance. We can learn to appreciate our minds and bodies as God has created us. We can strive to see imperfection as an essential characteristic of humanity. Through embracing God’s gift of salvation through grace alone, we are freed to give up the pursuit of earning God’s love. This means forgiving ourselves for past mistakes. This means loving others despite their flaws.

            As we look forward to Easter and the Resurrection, we choose to make grace real again by practicing acceptance and forgiveness in our own lives.