Transcrpit:
Welcome to podcast number one, numero uno, yekutanga tanga. I am so excited to be able to have some deep meaningful conversation with you all around life, God, existence, spirituality and some silly chat as well just because. And yes conversations because you are all an important part of this via your comments here or on the saving graces blog. I’m also scared at the same time, because this could bomb. In a spectacular way, which is why it’s been a work in progress for about 6 years…
The Name
So why is my blog and podcast called Saving Graces? I am a language nerd so an English definition of a saving grace is a redeeming quality of something that’s not all that fab, a sliver lining around something not so great. It makes a negative not so bad. In Christianity ‘saving grace’ is a gift from God, it is God’s grace that redeems us. Now God’s grace is not just a ‘redeeming quality’, it is THE grace that makes us exist.
Saving grace results in our sanctification. So all these little bits of God moments, of joy, or peace of virtue shining forth, these are all saving graces that make life all so amazing and wonderful, because they sanctify us, they make us holy, they bring us to holiness. I want to notice then that the path to holiness is paved by all these saving graces and even when I cannot see it, every moment in life is a moment of sanctification, a moment to tap into God’s grace, all I have to do is trust it. Grace is also given so that we can lead others to holiness. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2000) describes these graces as
“Sanctifying grace is an habitual gift, a stable and supernatural disposition that perfects the soul itself to enable it to live with God, to act by his love. Habitual grace, the permanent disposition to live and act in keeping with God’s call, is distinguished from actual graces which refer to God’s interventions, whether at the beginning of conversion or in the course of the work of sanctification.”
Wow such a long winded explanation just to say I like Saving Graces LOL.
Called to greatness
I’ve always believed that we are all created to be great. Now the worlds definition of great varies and does not always commute depending on your culture backgrounds etc. but regardless we all have greatness within us. But we are scared of it, we hide it and we don’t know how to use it. I find this so sad, when so much God given talent and potential is laid to waste. We need to redefine greatness, success and meaning, so that everyone feels they can embrace their God given greatness, their purpose, their raison d’être.
Your greatness can come in being the best teacher, mother, doctor, cleaner and in embracing that greatness you help those around you do the same. We were not born to be mediocre, we are made in the image of God, and that image is not mediocre. It burns, it glows, it mesmerises, it transcends, So like St Catherine of Sienna said, “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” Be not afraid, God is with us so life can only be beautiful. Dare to live in His will and taste and see His goodness.
If you cant tell I am passionate about people supporting each other, especially women supporting one another and daring to believe that they are capable of reaching their full potential in Christ. I’m a passionate about love, about drawing from the source of love that is God and giving that love, living a life full of meaning and of giving of ourselves in a way we can only do because we know who made us. I don’t always know how to do that but the lives of other catholics and saints have helped me over time, so I want to help others in the same way. So I want to share insights from my own life and from other people’s lives in order that we all grow to know and love God more, to love each other more, see the beauty of the human condition in all it’s facets.
What we will talk about
So at Saving Graces we will talk about prayer, life, productivity, culture, money, food, studies anything under the sun really as a way to help you realise you have more power over your life than you think, and thus empower you to make decisions for your daily life to achieve peace and joy and love. I hope this podcast becomes a way to pause and reflect, and to consider what brings us together in this shared human condition and how we can live a life that best reflects our limitless potential, and our value in God’s love for us.
That’s it for the intro podcast! Can’t wait to journey with y’all 🙂
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