September 28, 2005
Grace Precedes Essence
I have neglected to put my beliefs forward because I feel the need to cultivate conversation of diversity. Don't worry, I'm not turning into a "holy roller," I just feel its necessary for me to express my views publicly and to invite people with different viewpoints to share how they differ from my own and to invite people into religious dialogue.
There is a certain level of mystery in the understanding of "grace." Nowhere in most sacred texts is the term deeply explained, only is it exemplified. However, the most notable examples of grace can be found in the parables of Christ. One in particular stood out to me in the homily of today's Mass: Matthew 20:1-16
In this passage, vinyard workers are sent to do work. The workers who had worked the most hours received the same pay as those who worked fewer hours. The workers who had worked the longest were offended at the fact that the others received the same pay. To which the vinyard owner responded: "...Are you envious because I am generous?"
This passage is chock-full of ethical and theological implications. Workers who barely worked a day were given the same pay as workers who sweated out the heat and sun? That's crazy! Which makes us wonder: is that fair?
Putting politics to the side (*cough, cough* *Jesus proclaimed communist ideals* *cough, cough*), grace transcends essence.
What do I mean grace transcends essence? Simply this: grace does more than take into consideration a person's status. Grace is immanent and can move people and create growth. If that is the case, then why do some people break down and give up hope? In my opinion, it is because such people have lost sight of grace and we as people have not reached them.
If we were to help only the rich, what would we accomplish? Making them richer? But if we help the poor, the marginalized, the people who have lost all hope, what have we accomplished then? Lifting up those who were once down. What difference does a hundred dollars make to a millionare? Not much. But to children starving at home and abroad? Worlds of difference.
There is a paradox already forming: status means nothing, and yet it means everything. Jesus concluded the parable with: "So, the last will be first and the first will be last." Status means nothing because grace precedes essence (including sins), but it means everything because grace impacts people differently.
On the converse of grace is suffering. Job certainly sees his share of misfortunes, even though he was described--by God in the intro--as "blameless and upright." Why does Job suffer? For sin? Or perhaps he was suffering because he started to think that he was being punished?
Buddhism teaches of Four Noble Truths, one of which is that suffering is caused by ignorance or perception of events as suffering. This seems like the same humbling message that Job finally grasps at the end: "Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know." In every situation, there is a "good light" and a "bad light." The good light is the most positive possible outcome and the bad light is the most direct and immanent hurt. There may not always be a motive for events, but things generally happen for a reason. It's just a matter of finding and cultivating that reason.
Suffering for doing good is caused only by the light in which we see it. Peter raises this issue and has this to say:
"It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." (1Pet.3:17)
It's like that old saying: "the comfort of the murdered is that he is not the murderer." People seemingly don't always get what they deserve and conversely, they also seemingly get what they don't deserve.
This issue is resolved when we see the good light in all trials and times of suffering. This is called joy. My favorite verse which captures the essence of joy is from 1Peter: "But rejoice that you participate in the suffering of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."(1Peter 4:13)
Conclusion: no matter what your religion or spiritual views, we all experience pain--especially for doing what is right. No good deed goes unpunished. However, we can either ignore it, be burned by it, or embrace it and grow from it. Engaging and being open to the mystery of suffering sheds a new light on our experiences.
Posted by EvanReynolds at September 28, 2005 8:14 PM
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Comments
I couldn’t resist commenting on your blog entry, Evan. You make some provocative statements about grace (http://www.acts17-11.com/grace_works.html). You say that “grace transcends and precedes essence” and that it is the opposite of suffering. I would add to your points on grace that it is also humbling, because grace is receiving something we do not deserve. Ephesians 2:8-9 says “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast.”
Concerning Job, he was a man with attitude─good attitude. Despite his suffering and loss he refused to blame God or become discouraged. This past Sunday, I heard a sermon on attitude (http://www.bigeye.com/attitude.htm). As you say, people sometimes “get what they don’t deserve.” We often cannot control the things that happen to us. But what we can control is out attitude toward them.
I like your favorite verse 1 Peter 4:13. Thank you; that is a good verse to always keep in mind.
Posted by: NancyGregg at October 10, 2005 8:49 PM
hey Evan, i asked the same question…how come some athletes get the same or more scholarship than academics?…don’t get me wrong, some athletes apply the same effort in their sports as in their academics…i just think that it’s unfair for students with academic scholarship to have to fulfill a “higher” standard and get the same money as the students with athletic scholarship that doesn’t have the same academic requirement (GPA wise)….
Posted by: mike D. at September 30, 2005 12:33 PM