Grace and Sacramental Life - Catholic (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Catholics affirm: salvation is by grace through faith. The Council of Trent declared that nothing we do PRECEDES grace or EARNS salvation. But grace then works IN us, producing good works as fruit. The sacraments are channels of this grace—baptism, Eucharist, confession—not earning salvation but receiving grace continually. Ephesians 2:10 follows: "created in Christ Jesus FOR good works." Grace produces, not earns. The sacramental life is receiving grace to live graciously. It's all gift—even our response is enabled by gift.