GRACE, SIN AND HELL

Divine Appeal Reflection - 165

Today, consider in Divine Appeal 165:   "Grace loses its power. Sin increases and finally souls end up in hell."

The power of grace is an exceptional gift from our Adorable Jesus, intended to bring souls into closer relationship with God. Grace enlightens the mind, fortifies the will, and inspires the heart to virtue and holiness. Grace pours freely through sacraments, particularly the Holy Eucharist and Confession, to strengthen us in our spiritual struggles. Yet, grace demands cooperation, as God respects human freedom. The Church teaches, drawing from the wisdom of St. Augustine, that while God created us without our involvement, He wills to save us only with our free cooperation. This profound truth highlights God’s respect for human freedom and our responsibility to respond to His grace (cf. CCC 1847).When we refuse or overlook grace, we render it ineffective in our lives, not because of a lack of God's power, but because of our own hardness of heart.

Sin, in opposition to grace, actively weakens the soul and raises a curtain between the sinner and God. Untouched by repentance, sin blackens the conscience and holds captive the soul, inducing estrangement from the Spirit. Particularly serious given the enormity of this mortal sin, is the fact that severing it tears up all sanctifying grace from the soul. Sacred Scripture reveals that the wages of sin is death, yet the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus for those who respond to His call and live in union with Him (cf. Rom 6:23). Without sincere repentance and a return to God, the weight of sin accumulates, leading the soul further into darkness and diminishing its ability to respond to God’s merciful call.

The ultimate consequence of rejecting grace and persisting in sin is eternal separation from God, which our Adorable Jesus reveals as the tragic reality of hell. The Catechism defines this situation as the definitive loss of contact with God, who alone satisfies the soul's deepest needs (cf. CCC 1035). Despite this awful fact, God is patient and gracious, desiring that no one perish but that all come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). However, He does not impose His love on anybody; the soul must choose to turn to Him and receive His mercy.

Our Adorable Jesus continually extends His hand, offering the grace necessary to resist sin and embrace eternal life. This Divine Appeal reminds us of the urgency to cooperate with grace through a life of prayer, sacramental devotion, and acts of reparation. Let us respond wholeheartedly to His call, striving to live in His grace daily. In doing so, we allow His transformative power to reign in our lives and lead us to eternal joy in His presence.

Prayer

Oh our Adorable Jesus, pour forth Your grace upon us to strengthen our souls and lead us away from sin. Help us to repent sincerely, embrace Your mercy, and live in holiness. May Your light guide us always, shielding us from eternal separation, and drawing us closer to Your loving heart.

Sr. Anna Ali of the Most Holy Eucharist, intercede for us.