Words of the Week

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:7-8)

These days, if something is offered for free, we are naturally suspicious. “Surely it is a scam.” we say. It can be the same in religious life, in religious communities sometimes as well: if something is free, we don’t take it seriously. If something is expensive well, it must be important. Some believe or try to make us believe that everything can be translated to a monetary value. However, we have to understand: all that is real treasure, all that is really important for us, is free—but costs a lot at the same time. God’s mercy was costly—Jesus gave his life for it so we can have it, but it is free for us, as we only have to accept it.

Likewise, any kind of human relationship is the same way. Think about it: how much do we have to work in our day-to-day life, nurture all those relationships with our family, spouse, children, friends—so that they grow and flourish and stay alive? A lot. We don’t get any of this free, but we cannot pay for it either. You cannot pay for being faithful, you cannot buy it; the important thing about love is that I give myself in it, not something. Let me emphasize this again: I. Give. Myself.

It is the same with God’s love: he gives it free, but asks for a price. We like to haggle for prices; it is a very human thing to do. Even though it is proven to us time and time again through history (history of mankind or just our own personal history)—you cannot haggle with God. Still, we are trying to get mercy for cheap: waiting for someone to confirm that yes, you did sin, but you’ll be forgiven even though you did not repent it; thus we can go on believing in God without real obedience. There are people I know who at a crucial time of their life really thought about their past mistakes and sins, and honestly atoned for it, starting to walk the path of God. But there are others out there: others who turn to God and try to haggle, others that try the cheap road, without thinking about the true meaning of what they have done.

I say it again: think about it. God’s grace was very costly. It cost Jesus his life. Someone had to carry the cross for it, someone was nailed to that wood, someone was mocked—someone had died. This was the price for our sins.

God’s realm is like the treasure hidden on the field: you don’t have to work for it, it’s just there to be found…but whoever found it, had to give up everything they owned to have it. This is the kingdom of Christ. Grace is very costly, because it asks: “Will you follow me?” Grace bounds us; grace is a yoke we carry because we picked it up ourselves. Grace is a voice from the depths of our heart that never leaves us.

Grace is a treasure, a force that we can see and have again and again and again. May it be so.