Grace And Conversion

[Aragon]

Does everyone outside the Church receive the grace necessary to lead them to the Church? If so, then why do so few people cooperate with it? What about those who don't seem to ever think of religion or the meaning of their life?

[phatcatholic]

It would be more accurate to say that everyone receives the grace sufficient [i]for salvation[/i]. Sometimes this salvation comes as a full member of the Church, sometimes it does not (since we believe as Catholics that it is possible for people of other ecclesial communions and religions to be saved).

Why do so few people cooperate with it? The reasons are probably too numerous to list. The most common causes are ignorance, sin (which clouds the mind and weakens the will), and the force of culture, environment, and upbringing.

As for those who never think about religion or the meaning of their life, they are certainly in a perilous position before God. But, there is always hope for such people, and we need to pray that the spark will light within their hearts (as it was lit within mine) that leads to repentance and conversion.