Grit and Grace

By Rev. Dr Katherine Rainger, Senior Chaplain

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith;

and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God;

not by works, so that no one can boast.

For we are God’s handiwork,

created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:8-9.

In Secondary School chapel we have been looking at the theme Grit and Grace. In honour of Book Week here are three stories that open minds and hearts through imagination and learning.

Angela Duckworth’s book Grit was born out of her research into the story of what makes people successful. It is not only talent, but also effort that makes a difference. Grit is the ability to persevere in reaching a long-term goal. Grit is developed as we follow our interests and find the things that fascinate us. Grit is cultivated through a sense that what we do matters to ourselves and others. Having the time to practice and to discern what goals are worth pursuing is also important. Duckworth acknowledges that the context and circumstances of our life need to be considered. This provides space for grace.

The band U2 sang “Grace, it's the name for a girl. It’s also a thought that changed the world.” A poignant story of grace is found in The Gospel of Luke (15:11-32) in the story of the son who wastes his inheritance and ends up destitute. Expecting a rebuke from his father, the son nevertheless returns home hoping for a place amongst the hired hands. Instead, he is met with the outstretched arms of his father running down the road, an undignified thing to do in the time and culture of the Bible, ready to embrace his son. Jesus tells this parable as a way of revealing the love, welcome and hospitality of God.

Victor Hugo’s novel Les Misérables contains another famous story of grace. Jean Valjean has spent 19 years as a convict for stealing food for a family member. The brutality of the situation has hardened him. Upon release his future is still grim due to his parole conditions. On route to the place he is required to report to, he receives hospitality from a bishop and his wife. During the night Jean Valjean panics and steals the couple’s silverware, striking the bishop in the process. He is caught and returned to the bishop’s residence by the police.

The bishop radically subverts the expectations of both Jean Valjean and the police by stating that the silverware was a gift and what’s more Jean Valjean forgot the candlesticks and must take them too. The bishop commissions Jean Valjean to live into the grace that he has received by becoming a new man.

Victor Hugo writes:

“What was certain, what he was sure of, was that he was no longer the same man, he was completely changed within, it was no longer in his power to act as though the bishop had not spoken to him, had not moved him.”

The compelling scene from the 1998 film can be viewed here.

Dirrum Dirrum Festival 2024

The Dirrum Dirrum Festival last weekend was a fantastic opportunity to gather and hear stories of grit and grace. Well done to the Year 12 student organisers and all the staff who lent their time and talents to create such a great event. Keep an eye out for more photos and a full report in next week's Bulletin.