One of the key points of the Parable of the Sower of the Seed is that the seed (the blessing or grace of God, if you will) is perfect and distributed equally to everyone. The variation in the harvest is entirely due to the condition of the soil (that is to say, the human soul).
Or as Saint Macarius of Egypt said, “Grace is like the sun. It shines on all, but only those who open their eyes and look up receive the light. The soul must be willing and awake, or the light passes by unnoticed.”
As I reflected on this core theme, I could not help but think about the continued confusion around “Fiducia Supplicans”, especially since it has resurfaced in the wake of the SSPX controversies.
If you recall from our past conversations, “Fiducia Supplicans” was intended to be a positive message of comfort, care, and encouragement within the Truth of sexual morality. At the same time, it was intended to express the mercy of God and the motherhood of the Church.
The negative reaction to the document confirms a profound misunderstanding of actual grace, as well as profound misunderstandings of the blessings offered by the Church and the love God has for humanity.
Actual grace is the temporary, freely given supernatural intervention of God that enlightens the mind and strengthens the will. It is a momentary "nudge" or spiritual push designed to help a person perform specific good actions, avoid evil, or respond to God's call.
It is in this vein that “Fiducia Supplicans” calls for pastoral, spontaneous, and non-liturgical blessings. It establishes individuals in irregular situations can be blessed as a plea for God's grace, but strictly emphasizes that this does not bless the union itself or confer any moral legitimacy.
Conversion is never merely psychological, emotional, or self-generated. At its root it is supernatural. God acts first when He grants the soul light. He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will, and draws the soul toward repentance by actual grace. The interior cause of conversion is actual grace.
Grace illumines the intellect so the sinner can begin to see the Truth…begin to see the ugliness of sin…begin to see the reality of eternity…begin to see the necessity of the Cross and redemptive suffering.
Grace also strengthens the will to move toward repentance. Grace heals and elevates freedom in that the will may choose the good.
Without actual grace, no sinner can ever return to God. With actual grace, even the hardest heart can be changed.
The Council of Trent says that the sinner is “moved and aided by divine grace” to convert for his own justification (Session VI, Chap. 5). This statement preserves both truths: grace moves first, but man truly cooperates.
Therefore, pastoral blessings, such as those described in “Fiducia Supplicans”, become a work of mercy, spreading the seed of God on all types of soil hoping to cultivate and fertilize the ground of the soul in that the actual grace of faith and conversion will bear fruit.
While the Church can never bless sin, including same-sex relationships as well as our own personal sins; the Church has always blessed all people, including those that may be in a state of mortal sin. The Church has always blessed the sinner, just not the sin. And praise God for that, otherwise I probably would not be standing before you today.
Through the blessings of the Church, actual grace can enable the conversion of a soul and generate a contrite heart that can lead a person to a good and holy confession.
Through the blessings of the Church, the Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
Thanks be to God!
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