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The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 264: Man’s Merit (2024)
Sep 20, 2024
Discover how our good actions are a collaborative effort with divine grace, emphasizing that merit is a gift from God. Fr. Mike shares insights from St. Thérèse of Lisieux, highlighting the beauty of approaching God with empty hands. The discussion connects human merit to our baptism and status as co-heirs with Christ, illustrating our reliance on God's goodness. Through rich metaphors, the importance of grace in achieving true worthiness is beautifully outlined.
15:12
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Quick takeaways
- Human merit in a Christian context arises from cooperation with divine grace, emphasizing that all good actions are initiated by God.
- St. Thérèse of Lisieux exemplifies the importance of humility by recognizing that true merit comes from God, not personal achievement.
Deep dives
Understanding Merit in the Christian Life
Merit refers to the recognition owed by society for the actions of individuals, and its understanding within a Christian context can often be confusing. It emphasizes that while grace is an unmerited gift from God, human merit still exists as a form of recognizing one's cooperation with divine grace. This merit is not due to any entitlement, as humans possess no strict rights to merit before God; rather, all merit comes from God’s initiative and grace working through humanity. Essentially, the merit of good works originates from God’s gracious decision to associate humanity with His work, highlighting an ongoing partnership in spiritual growth.
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