HAIL, JERRY, FULL OF GRACE

Did I really just say that? Blasphemous! Well…maybe not. 

Before you stop reading please let me make a simple point: Mary--and Jesus, for that matter--weren’t the only ones who were “full of grace,” that is, full to overflowing with God’s love and goodness in their lives.

So are you and me.

But it begs a question: Are we by nature full of grace or are we by nature in need of grace? My answer: We’re chock full! In fact, it’s the primary way we are created in the image of God. Ironically though, we block our own conscious awareness and lived experience of this fullness of grace simply because WE DON’T THINK WE HAVE IT--WE DON’T EVEN THINK IT’S POSSIBLE TO HAVE IT--replacing it with an imaginary need for it. A need that isn’t really there...because it’s already been met.

That’s sad.

Thankfully, having this grace (all the joyous fullness of God), is not based on whether we think it, feel it, see it or sense it. It's not based on our perceptions, opinions or beliefs. It’s based on God.

Period.

This was Jesus' point. From the compassion in his thoughts to the love in his words to the boldness in his actions he wanted everyone in the world to believe one fundamental truth--that each of us and indeed, life itself--is full of grace!

It changes everything. It means we have more grace than we need to fully engage and fully enjoy this incredible life…this incredible day…this incredible moment. It means we no longer need buy into the world’s premise that we are by nature needy. It means even our pain and suffering can have life-giving meaning. Hence Mary Oliver's "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

Think we're not just as full of grace as Jesus and Mary? 

Now that’s blasphemous!

TODAY.

LET’S GIVE THE WORLD & OURSELVES A GIFT.

LET’S THINK ABOUT HOW WE THINK ABOUT GRACE.