XXIII. The balance between affirmation and rejection is not
the most important question. The most important question is not a question of balance
at all, but of throwing the whole weight of our resolve and intention into
loving God. Once that is our top priority, anything else we can possibly do
will be good for “All things work together for good, to them that love the
Lord.” There is a specific kind of grace which the Church calls “Grace of
State.” This is the grace proper to the state in life of the person who
receives it, which helps them to discharge the duties of that state fully and
in a holy manner, whether that person is a priest or a human waste disposal
specialist. The Church teaches that no matter what your state in life, God
sends you the grace especially tailored to that situation. Furthermore, that
situation is the path to Holiness for
you. Fr. Dwight Longenecker refers to the lesser earthly goods as a “ladder” to
get to heaven, and tells those who are in danger of despising them through an
overly spiritual pride “This is your state in life. That is your ladder. If you
kick the ladder away, how do you expect to get to heaven?” God does call us
through the goods of this world. In fact, it is His preferred method, if sheer
numbers are any indication.
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