God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ (by grace you have been saved), raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast. For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them. (Eph 2:1-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101722.cfm
Saved by grace through faith . . . we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus. The letters of Saint Ignatius of Antioch (died ca. 108) tell the story of the early church and reflect the gracious choice of God: “I will be ground by the teeth of wild beasts to become God’s pure bread.”