I’m sitting in my livingroom this evening watching TV. I had opened a window earlier tonight to welcome in the cool fresh air. Fall is upon us and I love it.

As I flipped through the channels aimlessly, I could hear the dim rhythm of rain falling outside.

It occurred to me that this rain might be more pleasing to my ears if I muted the television. So I did. I continued to watch the imagery flash before my eyes as the sweet pitter patter of raindrops serenaded me outside.

It didn’t take long to realize that nothing on TV deserved to be paired with this sweet natural symphony. And so I turned the TV off without the slightest regret.

Even now that the rain has passed, my heart is so soothed by its former presence that I wish to never move from this place. I can think of no better use of my time than to let the comfort of the rain linger still as I rest.

Thank God for the grace to be fully present in this moment- a true and rare gift. Nothing else matters in this space.

At mass this morning, we read James 2:14-17 commonly referred to as the “Faith and Works” passage. It’s often cited to demonstrate the unique Catholic view on salvation.

While many Christians believe professing faith in Christ begets salvation, Catholics believe that the certainty of this promise cannot be predicted by man but only by God who can fully see into the human heart.

To be sure, it is by grace alone that we could ever claim admittance into the lavish kingdom God has prepared for us. Good works, in and of themselves, hold no salvific power. But they are a natural expression of a heart that’s been won over by Christ- a heart that’s been saved by grace. If good works are foreign to one’s daily life, it would appear that the battle is not yet won.

Isn’t this the call of the Christian life? The continual acceptance of grace so that our hearts might be reshaped in the image of Christ and our actions might be a natural outward display of this internal disposition.