Outward Signs: Jesus in the SacramentsJanuary 25, 2012

The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul

From Vespers – The MagnificatAll: St Paul the Apostle, preacher of the truth and teacher of the gentiles, intercede for us before God, who chose you.

Prayer Leader: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation.For he has shown me such favor –me, his lowly handmaiden.Now all generations will call me blessed,because the mighty one has done great things for me.His name is holy,his mercy lasts for generation after generationfor those who revere him.

All: St Paul the Apostle, preacher of the truth and teacher of the gentiles, intercede for us before God, who chose you.

Prayer Leader: He has put forth his strength:he has scattered the proud and conceited,torn princes from their thrones;but lifted up the lowly.He has filled the hungry with good things;the rich he has sent away empty.

All: St Paul the Apostle, preacher of the truth and teacher of the gentiles, intercede for us before God, who chose you.

Prayer Leader: He has come to the help of his servant Israel,he has remembered his mercy as he promised to ourfathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

All: St Paul the Apostle, preacher of the truth and teacher of the gentiles, intercede for us before God, who chose you.

Prayer Leader:Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning,is now, and ever shall be,world without end. Amen.

All: St Paul the Apostle, preacher of the truth and teacher of the gentiles, intercede for us before God, who chose you.

Prayers & IntercessionsPrayer Leader: The Apostles are the foundation and we are built on them. Let us pray to the almighty Father for his holy people:All: Lord, remember your Church.

Prayer Leader: Father, by your will the Apostles were the first to see your resurrected Son: may we be his witnesses, to the very ends of the earth.All: Lord, remember your Church.

Prayer Leader: Father, you sent your Son into the world to bring the Good News to the poor: may the Gospel be preached to every created thing.All: Lord, remember your Church.

Prayer Leader: Father, you sent your Son to sow the seed of the word: as we sow the Word with great labor, so may we reap its fruits with joy.All: Lord, remember your Church.

Prayer Leader: Father, you sent your Son to reconcile the world to you with his blood: grant that we may all work together for reconciliation.All: Lord, remember your Church.

Prayer Leader: Father, you have seated your Son at your right hand in heaven: receive the dead into your blessed kingdom.All: Lord, remember your Church.

All: AMEN

St. Paul Meet the Lord Jesus on the Road to Damascus

4-Part Definition of the Word “Sacrament”

1. Sacraments are efficacious signs of grace2. Instituted by Christ3. Entrusted to the Church4. By which the divine life is given to us.

- From CCC 1131

WHAT DOES “EFFICACIOUS” MEAN?

Before we go on:

“Efficacious” in Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary

Adjective - having the power to produce a desired effect

Example - Taking a cookie break while studying is one of the most efficacious ways of rejuvenating the mind that I have ever discovered.

More about “Efficacious” Signs

“…Sacraments are efficacious signs: that is, they are effective. In human life, signs and symbols are found everywhere. Because we are both body and spirit, we express our inner selves through visible signs and symbols…. Sacramental signs are different [from other signs] in the sense that Christ uses them to [give us] his life and grace. When these sacramental signs are celebrated, they reveal and make present the reality they signify. They are efficacious, that is, effective, because Jesus Christ is at work in them.” (US Catholic Catechism for Adults, pg. 169)

What is Grace?

Grace is a participation in the life of God.

- From CCC 1997

Icon of the Trinity by St. Andrei Rublev

Instituted by Christ“For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’“In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.”(1 Corinthians 11.23-26)

Icon of the Last Supper

Entrusted to the Church

What is entrusted to the Church?

The divine mission, entrusted by Christ to the apostles, will last until the end of the world, since the Gospel they are to teach is for all time the source of all life for the Church.

- From Lumen Gentium 20

What is the divine mission?

Jesus approached [the eleven apostles] and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” - Matthew 20.18-20

By Which the Divine Life is Given to Us

A. From the blessing of baptismal water at the Easter Vigil –

Priest:May this water receive by the Holy Spiritthe grace of your Only Begotten Son,so that human nature, created in your imageand washed cleanthrough the Sacrament of Baptismfrom all the squalor of the life of old,may be found worthy to rise to the life of newborn childrenthrough water and the Holy Spirit.

B. From the Presentation of the Gifts during Liturgy of the Eucharist –

Deacon/Priest:By the mystery of this water and winemay we come to share in the divinity of Christwho humbled himself to share in our humanity. Mural of the Baptism of Jesus

Why did Jesus give us the Sacraments Why does he share his Life with us?

The Word became flesh for us in order to save us by reconciling us with God... The Word became flesh so that thus that we might know God's love... to be our model of holiness... [and] to make us "partakers of the divine nature":"For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might become a son of God.“

- From the CCC 457-460

Icon of the Birth of Christ

The Seven Sacraments of the Church

Sacraments of Initiation– Baptism– Confirmation (Chrismation)– Eucharist

Sacraments of Healing– Penance and Reconciliation– Anointing of the Sick

Sacraments at the Service of Communion

– Holy Orders– Matrimony

Rose window image of the Holy Spirit

Our Father and Closing PrayerPrayer Leader:Our Father, who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name.Thy kingdom come.Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

All:Give us this day our daily bread,and forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us,and lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.

Prayer Leader:Today, Lord, we celebrate the conversion of Saint Paul,your chosen vessel for carrying your name to the whole world.Help us to make our way towards you by following in his footsteps,and by witnessing to your truth before the men and women of ourday. [We make our prayer] through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,God for ever and ever. Amen.May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life.

All: AMEN

Mosaic Image of St. Paul