How do you know if you are in a state of grace?

Omissions are big ones for me too.

 

This can be difficult to discern at times, but I try to attain a peaceful spirit and then remain with one mind's eye and one ear fixed on the Lord. I think he has over the years led me to not focusing on myself too much but to be conscious of Him living in me continuously and to go forward with trust in my heart. But yes I do slip up often and feel the sadness of the Holy Spirit. All I can do then is tell Him I'm sorry and continue on.

 

Amen! Sins of omission. How many times have I been on MOG forum when I should have been offering my services to my beautiful wife! Oops!

 

Thanks for this Padraig, I had always thought being in a state of grace meant not having any mortal or even venial sin on one's soul, as you would the moment you receive absolution.

 

Yes, I thought this myself.

 

That reminds me of an anecdote I heard once about a father who used to return home from confession on Saturday evenings to a noisy house full of kids and announce "Don't come near me, I'm in the state of grace!". I often think not sinning would be so easy if I could only get rid of all these annoying people!

 

I have heard of an ending to that anecdote Adoremus, "Don't come near me, I'm in the state of grace.... but you just wait till the morning!!"

 

I think it might have been Frances Hogan who told that story.

 

Ok I will try and answer the best I can. I would say one is in a state of grace when one thanks God for all they do and offer it to Him. Speak to others with Jesus on your mind. Live each day trying to keep God first in all things. Discuss and not argue. Walk in all things trusting in Jesus.
Well I see I could go on and on here but I think that these are certain signs of being in a state of grace. Easy to say but difficult to do in this world. Certainly worth it to keep trying though. Thats my short answer to a big question. God bless...gary

 

Absolutely hysterical

 

I don't know as if I would want to speculate on this topic as I fear we might be too judgmental in our advice and perhaps send someone who is at the baby stage of their conversion running to the hills. I can only think of the thief that hung on the cross next to Jesus. Was his a proper confession? He was promised eternity that day. Jesus is the perfect priest and a just judge. I think the beauty is what lies in the contrite heart.

 

I love this!!
Reminds me of the nun that told her confessor that she could be a saint if it weren't for all the other sisters in the convent.

 

I'm not trying to be picky here, but I believe that the good thief's conversion would more likely fit the Baptism of Desire category - that he would have asked for baptism had he known about it and had it been possible while he was on the cross.

As I understand it, there a difference between the Sacrament of Baptism and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, i.e.
Baptism: no temporal punishment (purgatory) if death occurs before the person commits another sin
Confession: the possibility of purgatory for purification from the residual effects of sin.

I'm as close to certain as possible that I have the correct understanding regarding no temporal punishment for a person dying immediately after baptism. I'm fairly sure about the possibility of temporal punishment for someone dying after receiving absolution in the confessional, but I'm open to correction on that.

Anyone free from mortal sin is in a state of grace.

 

God is not bound by the sacraments though!
They are a great Grace and an aid for us, but they do not limit Him from dispensing His Mercy as He sees fit.

 

Beautiful.

 

One piece of Scripture I always remember in this is from the Book of Sirach, The just man falls several times a day'


A wise and holy nun said to me one time that it is not the falling down but the getting back up again that is important.

Proverbs 24:16

Do not Envy
…15Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, near the dwelling of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place. 16For though a righteous man falls seven times, he will get up, but the wicked will stumble into ruin. 17Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,…

I think one thing convinces me of this constant falling are sins of the tongue. More and more as I get older I find myself drawn to silence. I thank God I lvie on my own and work on the Night Shift where I rarely talk. I think we can notice this so much of Mary in Scripture, that she rarely talks.

James 3:5-10

5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.


7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.


9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

One thing I like about being aware of sins of the tongue is that they teach so much humility. If anyone thinks they are perfect just a glance at our tongues will totally humiliate us.

I wrote a poem about Our Lady and silence many years ago, let me see if I can recall it:

'Mary spoke but seldom ,
But when she did,
All Creation murmered to a hush
and heaven bent it's head
At Wisdom's Ruling'.

 

CHAPTER XX
OF THE LOVE OF SOLITUDE AND SILENCE
Seek a suitable time for thy meditation, and think frequently of the mercies of God to thee. Leave curious questions. Study such matters as bring thee sorrow for sin rather than amusement. If thou withdraw thyself from trifling conversation and idle goings about, as well as from novelties and gossip, thou shalt find thy time sufficient and apt for good meditation. The greatest saints used to avoid as far as they could the company of men, and chose to live in secret with God.

2. One hath said, "As oft as I have gone among men, so oft have I returned less a man." This is what we often experience when we have been long time in conversation. For it is easier to be altogether silent than it is not to exceed in word. It is easier to remain hidden at home than to keep sufficient guard upon thyself out of doors. He, therefore, that seeketh to reach that which is hidden and spiritual, must go with Jesus "apart from the multitude." No man safely goeth abroad who loveth not to rest at home. No man safely talketh but he who loveth to hold his peace. No man safely ruleth but he who loveth to be subject. No man safely commandeth but he who loveth to obey.

3. No man safely rejoiceth but he who hath the testimony of a good conscience within himself. The boldness of the Saints was always full of the fear of God. Nor were they the less earnest and humble in themselves, because they shone forth with great virtues and grace. But the boldness of wicked men springeth from pride and presumption, and at the last turneth to their own confusion. Never promise thyself security in this life, howsoever good a monk or devout a solitary thou seemest.

4. Often those who stand highest in the esteem of men, fall the more grievously because of their over great confidence. Wherefore it is very profitable unto many that they should not be without inward temptation, but should be frequently assaulted, lest they be over confident, lest they be indeed lifted up into pride, or else lean too freely upon the consolations of the world. O how good a conscience should that man keep, who never sought a joy that passeth away, who never became entangled with the world! O how great peace and quiet should he possess, who would cast off all vain care, and think only of healthful and divine things, and build his whole hope upon God!

5. No man is worthy of heavenly consolation but he who hath diligently exercised himself in holy compunction. If thou wilt feel compunction within thy heart, enter into thy chamber and shut out the tumults of the world, as it is written, Commune with your own heart in your own chamber and be still.(1) In retirement thou shalt find what often thou wilt lose abroad. Retirement, if thou continue therein, groweth sweet, but if thou keep not in it, begetteth weariness. If in the beginning of thy conversation thou dwell in it and keep it well, it shall afterwards be to thee a dear friend, and a most pleasant solace.

6. In silence and quiet the devout soul goeth forward and learneth the hidden things of the Scriptures. Therein findeth she a fountain of tears, wherein to wash and cleanse herself each night, that she may grow the more dear to her Maker as she dwelleth the further from all worldly distraction. To him who withdraweth himself from his acquaintance and friends God with his holy angels will draw nigh. It is better to be unknown and take heed to oneself than to neglect oneself and work wonders. It is praiseworthy for a religious man to go seldom abroad, to fly from being seen, to have no desire to see men.

7. Why wouldest thou see what thou mayest not have? The world passeth away and the lust thereof. The desires of sensuality draw thee abroad, but when an hour is past, what dost thou bring home, but a weight upon thy conscience and distraction of heart? A merry going forth bringeth often a sorrowful return, and a merry evening maketh a sad morning? So doth all carnal joy begin pleasantly, but in the end it gnaweth away and destroyeth. What canst thou see abroad which thou seest not at home? Behold the heaven and the earth and the elements, for out of these are all things made.

8. What canst thou see anywhere which can continue long under the sun? Thou believest perchance that thou shalt be satisfied, but thou wilt never be able to attain unto this. If thou shouldest see all things before thee at once, what would it be but a vain vision? Lift up thine eyes to God on high, and pray that thy sins and negligences may be forgiven. Leave vain things to vain men, and mind thou the things which God hath commanded thee. Shut thy door upon thee, and call unto thyself Jesus thy beloved. Remain with Him in thy chamber, for thou shalt not elsewhere find so great peace. If thou hadst not gone forth nor listened to vain talk, thou hadst better kept thyself in good peace. But because it sometimes delighteth thee to hear new things, thou must therefore suffer trouble of heart.

(1) Psalm iv. 4.

 

Clearly stated, Dolours!

Safe in the Barque of Peter!

 

My pastor from Ghana is the same way. Very practical and insightful in the confessional. He is willing to ask questions of clarification so his advice rarely misses the bullseye!