Protocol with grace

An integral part of social behavior is the observance of certain established protocol.

Whether we are children or adults, when we are invited to a party, the custom of the place is that we should offer a gift of some kind to the host or to the guest of honour. However, choosing the right gift is not always apparent. In truth, the guest might conceivably spend a vast amount of time and effort trying to identify a particular gift, but whatever form that offering might take, it does not really become a gift until it is accepted.

Lent is like a party, and we are the guests of honour. The gift being offered is grace, and the invited guest is much wiser than we might profess to be. Grace makes itself known to us in many and various situations, and with a miriad of different faces. All we are asked to do is to accept the gift of God. In fact, others who have recognized this precious gift, and who live in its light continue to call to us across the confines of time, encouraging us to accept this gift, to embrace it, and to allow it to transform us. If we do, this time of grace can truly be a time of blessing.