Grace

In ancient Greek mythology, the Three Graces were known as Charm, Beauty and Creativity. These goddesses, according to Edith Hamilton, brought joy to the gods when they danced enchantingly. Having watched my daughter, Maureen, demonstrate those graces while dancing her way through childhood and high school, I can attest to the joy they bring.  The myth legend indicates that they “gave life its bloom,” which is an awesome compliment, BUT their gifts could only result in this bloom if they gave them together.

In Christian theology, grace is the gift offered to us by God to be his adopted children, and to share in his divine friendship. The three main virtues that result from grace are Faith, Hope and Love (or Charity), and are called theological because they direct us to God. But as with the three mythological graces noted above, which hold no value unless they work together, these graces must engage simultaneously in order to help us return to our heavenly Father.

If we have no HOPE in God because of the problem of suffering, then both faith in him and love for him would have little value—and we might as well just rely on the human (Cardinal) virtues.

If we have no FAITH in God’s divinity, or in his desire to lead us to him through our salvation, then hope is pointless however much we might say we love him. Finally, if we have not LOVE, as St Paul said, then would we be reasonable or believable to have faith and hope? The answer is “No,” because those virtues would soon die from lack of love.

Amen

Tom