Year of Grace

Pope Francis declared 2017 the Year of Grace. As I reflected on this, I wondered how I could put this into practice. In light of the political climate currently in our country, we need God's grace, that's for sure. But how can I be a source of grace for others? For one thing, I can be a blessing for others, as Ronald Rohlheiser writes in his book Sacred Fire. He speaks of three aspects of a blessing; seeing and admiring a person, speaking well of him or her, and giving away some of one's life that the other might have more life.

First of all,when we really see another, we need to look into his or her eyes and behold the goodness dwelling there. We don't just rush by, thinking of all the things we have to do.

Second, we can speak of the person's good qualities and show we really care about her or him. We rejoice in their gifts and presence.

Third and hardest of all, we aren't stingy. We are willing to sacrifice for the other person so he or she might live more fully. This could mean spending time or money or comfort so the other will feel really loved.

When we bless others, we allow God's grace to flow through us to them. As the Song of St. Francis says: "Make me a channel of your peace,/ where there's hatred let me bring your love." We can be like aqueducts letting God's grace flow into the thirsty people around us, especially the stranger, the refugee, the lonely, and the impoverished.