Grace and Justification- Distance Learning #1

For the first date, in the Catechism of the Catholic Church's article on Grace and Justification, it discusses how "the grace of the Holy Spirit has the power to justify us", and how it cleanes us of our sins. It "communicates to us 'the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ' and through Baptism". This is reflected in Flannery O'Connor's short story "The River", in the sense that the young boy in the story is Baptized, and therefore cleansed.
Also, one example of the second date in the story, is that the emotion that the young boy, Harry, feels when he is baptized by the pastor in the river, is almost overwelming to him. As he listens to the  pastor's words, he begins to realize that he truly matters to God. In the story, the author suggests that given Harry's home life, he probably does not get much attention, or is told how important he is, or how much he matters to the world. 
The article also describes how "the first work of the grace of the Holy Spirit is conversion" (for the third date). This is demonstrated in the story, when the boy (Harry, who claimed his name was Bevel), who is baptized, and enters into the Church. He feels the water in the River change him, and even though he is only five years old, he knows that he wants to be a bigger part of it. He returned to the river at the end of  the story, because he wanted to be able to be a part of something larger than himself, and he had, for probably the first time in his life, realized that he actually mattered to someone, God.
For the fourth date that the article mentions (1990), it states that "Justification detaches man from sin, which contradicts the love of God". This reflects on the young boy's conversion in the river, with the Pastor. He feels God's love, and is completely overwhelmed by the prospect of  it. He is only five years old, and he understands more than most adults about the power of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Baptism. While he might not fully understand the true meaning of those words, he knows by his experience when he was in the River, that there is something remarkable about the water, and how it had cleansed him of his sins. It also mentions that "it reconciles man with God". This is a perfect example of how the boy felt after he was baptized by the preacher. Also, in his prayer before the baptism, the priest mentions that the "waters heal, and it frees us from the enslavement of sin".  
The next two dates, (1991 and 1992), discusses "the acceptance of God's righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ", and how "Justification has been merited for us by the Passion of Christ". This is demonstrated in the story, through the fact that the pastor was discussing the cleansing of original sin, and how it represents you coming into the church, and into God's life.
The last three dates that deal with Justification, (1993, 1994 and 1995), it states that "Justification establishes cooperation between God's grace and man's freedom". it is also the "most excellent work of God's love made manifest in Christ." These are both demonstrated in the story through the fact that after the young boy is Baptized, he mentions that he feels free, and that is due to the fact that he is now cleansed of his sin.
The other important factor in the article is Grace. It states in the first date, 1996, that " our Justification comes from the grace of God". This is clearly represented in the short story, "The River", by the fact that "Grace is favor". He gives us grace and help through the sacrament of baptism. In the story, he helps the young boy understand that God gives us grace and help, especially afterwards, when he has to return home.
The other dates, (from 1997, 1998, and 1999), also directly relate to the story. The article from 1997 states that "grace is a participation in the life of God". This reflects on the story in the sense that the boy, Harry, feels (for once) that he matters. Although he is hesitant, he allows them to baptize him in the river, and afterward, he realizes the importance of sacrament. It also discusses how "the vocation to eternal life is supernatural". Only God alone can reveal himself to us. The young boy in the story is so longing to be a part of that, and to finally see the kingdom of God, which promises everlasting love and happiness, that he returns to the river at the end of the story.
In 2000, it stated that "santifying grace is a habitual gift" It "perfects the soul itself to enable it to live with God". This is represented in the story by the fact that in Baptism, it also perfects the soul. It enables your soul to be ready for the person's new life with God on Earth. Also, it prepares us for the reception of grace, because by receiving the sacrament of Baptism, we are also receiving God's grace(which was stated in the 2001 article). The young boy's parents do not experience this, because not only were they not baptized, but they do not even display grace towards their son. In order for us to receive God's grace, we have to also display grace to others, around us, as described in the article from 2002. Also in the article from 2002, it describes "man's free response", which is demonstrated in the story when Harry, decides to return to the river, after his Baptism.   
In 2003, they stated that "Grace is first and foremost the gift of the Spirit who justifies and sanctifies us". This also includes "sacramental graces", which are gifts that  relate to the different sacraments, such as Baptism. This is reflected in the story, when the preacher is telling Bevel (Harry) about the sacrament of Baptism, when he is being Baptized in the river.
For 2004, it discusses how "among the special graces, are 'graces of state' that accompany the other responsibilities of the Christian life". In "The River", Bevel learns these graces, as he is being Baptized, and is beginning a new life in the church. In 2005, they stated that "grace escapes our experience" and that it "cannot be known except by faith". Bevel learns this, as he is so longing  for grace, and the justification that he really matters. After he is baptized, he feels so strongly about the river's and God's power, that he wants to be entirely consumed by it.  He wants to always be a part of it and in the end he is.              
         

"The Man Without a Face"- Reflection

In the beginning of the movie, “The Man Without A Face”, the main character, Charles Norstadt is hesitant to approach Mel Gibson’s character. Although he wants to learn from him, so he can pass his test, he is doubtful about asking the man for help. Mainly due to the rumors about McLeod, and his outward appearance (the scarring on his face), Norstadt is hesitant about taking lessons from him. Eventually, he grows to know and trust McLeod (Mel Gibson), through his personal experiences, with McLeod teaching him. However, in the beginning, McLeod is also a little hesitant to teach Norstadt, due to the normal reactions of people, when they see his face. Also, he wants to know that Norstadt will actually complete the work that McLeod assigns to him. He wants to know that his efforts will not be wasted on Norstadt.  After McLeod agrees, he makes Charles dig holes on his property. 
At first, Norstadt was upset. He saw it as a waste of time and effort on his part. However, this action, which seemed pointless to Norstadt, proved to McLeod that Norstadt could follow his orders and advice, as an important part of every relationship is obedience.  If Norstadt refused to listen to McLeod, then it would be very difficult for McLeod to teach him effectively.
McLeod also did not force Norstadt to come everyday to his house to study or be taught, because his freedom was very important to his accepting McLeod. McLeod expresses to Nordstadt that he has the freedom to choose whether to come, because he understands that it is important for Norstadt to accept him on his own terms. He did not want to force Norstadt to believe anything that he did not truly see on his own.   Rather than viewing McLeod as simply crazy, as he and so many others had previously believed, Norstadt’s free will enabled him see McLeod, as he truly was.  
It is equally important to McLeod that Norstadt use his own freedom to decide if the rumors concerning McLeod are true. If McLeod is going to be teaching him then he wants to be sure that Norstadt can decide on his own if McLeod is a trustworthy person, regardless of what the rumors might suggest. It also proves to McLeod that Norstadt trusts him, and could bring him the certainty that he needs, after the citizens of the town have ignored him, for so many years after the accident.
At the end of the movie, the main character, Norstadt, was morally certain of McLeod. In order to become morally certain of a person, it requires experiences with that person. While learning how to pass the exam, Norstadt also learned about McLeod’s past, and with this, he grew certain of McLeod. He was able to finally reach the conclusion that while the rumors about McLeod seemed true, they did not at all reflect on McLeod’s true nature.