Grace Makes One’s Works Nobler
What would my works be, if they were not raised and ennobled by the grace of God … Nothing, nothing at all! … Having thrown myself entirely on Divine Providence, I am certain [that] my works and smallest thoughts … shall receive … great nobility and excellence. (OOCC, X, p. 80; STA, 76)
God is constantly concerned about the human person and his genuine progress. Therefore, God is ever-present in the historical context of every human person. Being present in the everyday situation of a person, God, by his grace, consistently assists him to bear fruit abundantly in his name. Thus, God raises and ennobles every human activity with the help of his grace. Therefore, before a person attempts to perform any action, he needs to throw himself entirely on the Providence of God, believing that with God at his side he is able to achieve great things. The “throwing of oneself at the Providence of God” does not mean that a person does not have to plan and prepare for the task ahead. It only means that having done his best by way of preparation, he reaches out to God to be touched by his grace. Assisted by Divine Grace, even the ordinary actions which a person performs on a daily basis achieves great nobility and merit. Convinced of this truth, St. Vincent Pallotti believed that by themselves, his works of mercy were nothing at all. But supported by the grace of God, even a little act of kindness done by him becomes richly fruit bearing and meritorious. Thus, St. Vincent did his best by way of preparation for the act ahead, and then surrendered it to God, leaving God to bless his efforts with success. It is in this spirit that St. Vincent performed each and every action of his life.
Do I believe that God is ever-present in my life and assists me in bearing fruit on his behalf? Do I prepare for every action I plan to undertake? Do I place each action of mine before God and allow him to bless my efforts with success? Do I allow my everyday actions to be ennobled by Divine Grace?
God has given each of you some special abilities [graces]; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings. (I Pet. 4:10)