Fr. Chad Ripperger explores the Catholic understanding of merit and how one increases their reward in heaven while warning that most Catholics are effectively Pelagian or semi-Pelagian in how they understand merit and salvation. Merit, he explains, is a reward ordered to justice, yet “God owes us nothing” by strict justice because we are not His equals and everything we do depends on Him (“Without Me you can do nothing”).

Natural good works, however virtuous, can produce only natural effects; they cannot earn the supernatural good of eternal life or a higher place in Heaven.

Only actions performed in the state of grace, that are objectively morally good, and directed by a supernatural intention rooted in charity, are meritorious. Holier souls (those with a greater degree of grace) produce greater effects, which is why the prayers or Masses of someone like Padre Pio are more efficacious than those of less holy persons. Mortal sin destroys the capacity for merit until confession restores grace; natural “niceness” or good intentions outside grace accomplish nothing eternal.

The talk has been republished on LifeSiteNews with the kind permission of Fr. Ripperger and SensusTraditionis.org
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