Grace Never Refused

A quote from Catherine McAuley:



If we become humble and sincere, God will finish in us the work He has begun.
He never refuses his grace to those who ask it.


Today I am remembering the 2nd anniversary of the death of my mother. About 10 days before her death my mother made a remark about the progression of her illness which went rather rapidly at the end. It was if she had been caught in mid-sentence and couldn't finish her life the way she wanted. She said," What a bummer!"

Although she wanted to do more in her life, she was resigned to the prospect of facing death-not that she wanted and she did fight it, but she did it with grace and dignity.

My mother was a humble person. She was sincere, she was glad to entertain in her home and enjoyed creating hospitality which always included some food. Even in her last days she saw that there was food for the family as we gathered to be with her. Somehow the grace she needed was there even in the last days.

That did not mean she did not struggle, she did not want to die. She would not sleep in the night lest she slip away. She would only rest when dawn came and all were awake around her.

In the last days when she could not stay awake we were with her around the clock and she felt our presence. She also had a great faith that was expressed in simply saying the rosary, so when she would get restless, we would simply start the rosary and though she could say the words much, it calmed her as she help her rosary in her hand.

Yes, if we are humble and sincere, God will be able to best finish the work begun in us and give us the grace to accept it or grow through it. May we all take stock of our life and see where we need to be more sincere (the great way to humility) and ask for the grace needed to become humble.

Mom, help me to become that which God is calling me to be. May your example be my guide.

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