The sacraments reveal that (1) God desires to make mankind holy, and that (2) mankind desires to receive this holiness. In this way the sacraments give us God’s grace.

1. The sacraments reveal that God desires to make mankind holy.

The sacraments are sensible signs, instituted by Jesus Christ to signify and give His gifts of grace. God’s intention to make us holy by imparting His grace is revealed through the institution of the sacraments. We are able to share in the very life of God through the graces He sends us. The Holy Trinity dwells in us; we are God’s temples. Through grace we become God’s special children, as St. John says: “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him” (1 John 3:1). We are especially helped to receive God’s grace in the sacraments through the powerful intercession of our Blessed Mother. As the Mother of the Church and Mediatrix of grace, she intercedes for those who receive the sacraments.

2. The sacraments reveal that mankind desires to receive this holiness.

We show that we desire to receive Christ’s grace by receiving the sacraments often with great love and fervor. This will help to make us holy and pleasing to God. God has given us a great way to achieve holiness. We should not take the sacraments for granted or pass up opportunities to receive them.