Rejoice in Grace

Rejoice! He is risen! This is one of the best times of year to look at your life and all that you have to be grateful for. We are saved from sin and death! Easter is always a good reminder that everything is grace.

In an age of entitlement, it is easy to forget that the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the life we have are all incredible graces from God. Taking time to pray in thanksgiving for the graces in our life is often a practice that keeps us aware of what we have and gives us a disposition of gratitude and joy.

One more thing that I always try to remember at Easter is how many graces came from the sacrifices of Lent and the additional prayer I added to my life. In the joy and celebration of Easter, it is easy to forget those graces and treat the Paschal Mystery as “that time of year when I get to eat chocolate again.” As you celebrate Easter, take a moment to consider what Lenten practices brought you closer to God.

Maybe giving up Netflix gave you time for prayer and brought you closer to God. Now that Lent is over, maybe consider watching less Netflix than you were before Lent so that you now have time for both! The deeper meaning behind the sacrifices of Lent is to change our relationship with the world around us and to rely more on God.

Take the lessons learned through sacrifice in Lent out into the rest of the year to grow in holiness and virtue. In this Easter season, please keep me in your prayers and know of mine in return for you! Happy Easter!