The Sacramental Nature of the Church

An Intro to the Sacraments

“Made For More”

Intro – We are created to experience happiness here on earth and ultimately for eternity

Ch. 1 – Who is Jesus? He proclaims to be God incarnate The Gospels attest to these claims, our Catholic faith hold these

claims as true. Ch. 2 – Can we believe what we are told is true?... Yes Ch. 3 – Our faith stands or falls with the actual occurrence of Jesus’

resurrection. Did it actually happen?...Yes

Ch. 4 – Jesus has established an Earthly Kingdom (The Church) to prepare us for entrance into God’s Eternal Kingdom

Ch. 5 - Entrance into this Kingdom requires more than faith, it requires a transformation God comes to us in the sacraments

What is the Meaning of the Sacraments?

“The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us.

The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament.

They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions.” (CCC, 1131) God will always honor our gift of free will

Efficacious

Definition: capable of producing a desired effect.

The sacraments actually confer the grace they signify.

They effect what they symbolize and symbolize what they effect Act as both sign and symbol

Each sacrament confers a grace that is proper to it.“Visible signs of invisible grace” -St. Augustine

Grace

“A participation in the life of God.” (CCC, 1997)

“The free and undeserved help that God gives us in order to respond to his call.” (CCC, 1996) We have a free will and are free to act on our own,

why do we still require God’s grace in order to achieve salvation? Think back to MfM

The conferring of God’s grace is know in the Church as the sacramental economy.

Sacramental Economy

Christ dispenses the fruit of his Paschal Mystery (God’s grace) through the sacraments. Paschal Mystery

The life, death, and resurrection of ChristAll that he did to earn us salvation he gives us

through the sacraments

Sacraments are the Masterworks of God

God makes himself present to us through the sacraments It is not our words or actions that magically

make him appear, like a genie Rather, God chooses to make himself present in

the sacraments and communicates to us through the rituals.

God Acts First, We Respond

Every encounter with the sacraments is a dialogue between us and God.

It is part of the relationship we share with Him. The New Covenant We have the freedom to choose whether or not we

enter this relationship through our actionsNot a one time decisionWe maintain this relationship every day in the decisions

we freely make Essentially, we make the free decision to allow God to

transform us spiritually.PP on Freedom?

Has learning about Jesus helped you understand God’s love better? How?

How have the Church’s sacraments helped you celebrate God’s love?

How have you been transformed by the sacraments (or by your personal relationship with Christ)? How would you be different if you never

encountered Christ?

The Church and the Sacramental Economy of Salvation

Chapter 1

The Incarnation

Definition: Taking on human flesh. In Jesus, God took on human form. “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling

among us, and we saw his glory, the glory of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) What is meant by “the Word”. Who is being referenced?

Our human nature desires the physical presence of those we love and that we trust in.

Jesus Christ is the Sacrament of God

Liturgy: definition? the official public worship of the Church.

Made up of the sacraments and the Divine Office or Liturgy of the Hours.

Mass is most important liturgical celebration. The system Christ uses to make himself present on

earth.

Christ makes something that is invisible visible – God’s divine presence efficacious because he transmits God’s love to us; he is

the only way to the Father.

Review From Yesterday

What does efficacious mean? something capable of producing a desired effect

Is Jesus efficacious? How? He makes God’s invisible love visible to us

Why is Jesus not considered the 8th Sacrament? Because he is the primary sign of God’s love for us. The 7

sacraments communicate the Paschal Mystery to us. In knowing Jesus we come to understand God.

How is the Church like a sacrament? (Hint: 3 dimensions) 1) It is a mystery (we can only come to know it through revelation, not by our own

faculties) 2) It is a visible sign of an invisible reality 3) It is efficacious, it makes real what it signifies (The Kingdom of God)

The Church, The Universal Sacrament of Salvation

Each sacrament is primarily and fundamentally a personal act of Christ himself acting through his Mystical Body, the Church. The act of the High Priest

“He [Jesus] entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” (Heb. 9:12)

“It really is Christ who acts in the sacraments through the Holy Spirit for the Church.” (CCC, 1120)

The sacraments are efficacious because in them he is at work; it is he who baptizes, he who acts in his sacraments in order to communicate the grace that each sacrament signifies” (CCC, 1127)

Acting in Persona Christi

The Mystical Body of Christ

The members of the Church are bound together by a supernatural life communicated to them by Christ through the sacraments

I am the vine: you the branches. He that abides in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit: for without me you can do nothing (John 15:5).

Christ is the centre and source of life to Whom all are united, and Who endows each one with gifts fitting him for his position in the body

(John 15:7-12).

These graces, through which each is equipped for his work, form it into an organized whole, whose parts are knit together as though by a system of ligaments and joints

And not holding the head, from which the whole body, by joints and bands, being supplied with nourishment and compacted, grows into the increase of God. (Colossians 2:19).

Through them, too, the Church has its growth and increase, growing in extension as it spreads through the world, and intensively as the individual Christian develops in himself the likeness of Christ

(John 15:13-15).

So…

Just as Christ is the sacrament of God to the world, making Him visible and incarnate while bestowing divine grace, so the Church is the sacrament of Christ throughout our history.

Moon : Sun :: Reflection of light Church : Christ :: Reflection of Salvation

The “Church” is the Earthly Kingdom we spoke of in “Made For More” King, Prime Minister, Queen Mother The successors of the Apostles (Bishops) spread throughout the

world working in union with the Pope

Three Qualities of a Sacrament

1. It is a mystery.

2. It serves as a visible sign of an unseen divine reality.

3. It is an efficacious sign.- It makes real what it signifies

The Church as Mystery

Def. of Mystery: Something that cannot be fully explained or comprehended. Symbolic language and imagery were used in

the Early Church to help people understand the Church better.Sheepfold (Christ as the fence)Flock of Sheep (Christ the Shepherd)Vineyard (God as the Vine Dresser, Christ as the vine, us as the

branches)Building of GodBride of Christ (Mother to us)New Jerusalem (Kingdom of God)

The Church as Visible Sign

Made visible by the marks of the Church Four essential signs that designate her as

Christ’s true ChurchOne, holy, catholic, and apostolic

One

Each parish is part of a larger diocese, which is part of the universal Church

All received their faith as it was communicated from the Apostles

All share in the same Mass and sacramentsEssentially, all churches are united to one

another and form the Church

Holy

“The Holy Spirit dwells in the Church and in the hearts of the faithful, as in a temple.” (Lumen Gentium, 4)

Witnessed in the lives of Mary and the many saints throughout the centuries. We grow in holiness by following their

example and by participating in the Church’s sacraments and mission of charity.

Catholic

Means Universal The Church is Catholic under two senses

1) She offers the fullness of the means for Salvation. Does not rely on any other source, she is the only source.

2) Her mission includes everyone and is for everyone.

Apostolic

The Church is a hierarchical community, lead by those who are authorized to act in the name of Christ.

The Church is founded on the Apostles, whom Jesus Chose. Through the sacrament of Holy Orders, the

Apostles hand down their authority on teaching and faith to successors.The pope and bishops can trace their lineage all the

way back to St. Peter and the other Apostles.

The Church as Efficacious Sign

The Church is both the means and the end (goal) of God’s plan. The Mystical Body of Christ

“The Church, in Christ, is a sacrament – a sign and instrument, that is, of communion with God and of the unity of the entire human race.” (Lumen Gentium, 1) A sacrament in an analogical sense

“The universal sacrament of salvation.” (Lumen Gentium, 48)

The Mission of the Church, the Body of Christ

“As a body is one, though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” (1 Cor 12:12-13)

Christ and the Holy Spirit animate the members of the Church through the sacraments to engage in and live out the mission of the Church. We receive life and spiritual nutrients through the

sacraments.

The Mission of the Church, the Body of Christ

“Rising for the dead, Christ sent his life-giving Spirit upon his disciples and through him set up his body, which is the Church as the universal sacrament of salvation. Sitting at the right hand of the Father he is continually active in the world in order to lead people to the Church and through it to join them more closely to himself; by nourishing them with his own Body and Blood, he makes them sharers in his glorious life.” (Lumen Gentium, 48)

Communion With Other Catholics

The Body of Christ accepts and is made up of people from every race, economic status, political orientation, and even those who we may not get along with.

Each member of the Body serves the Body in a different way and is important and necessary. Priest, alter server, choir member, catechumen, lay

person, etc. The mission and vocation of each particular local

church is connected to that of the universal Roman Catholic Church. Not a loose collaboration of local churches all doing their

own thing.

Communion With People Throughout the World

The Church is the universal sacrament of salvation Communion with other Christians

Imperfectly Communion with Non- Christians

Jews, Muslims, etc.

“The ultimate purpose of mission is none other than to make men share in the communion between the Father and the Son in their Spirit of love.” (CCC, 850)

Communion With People Throughout the World

Human Solidarity: The virtue of social charity, friendship, and responsible sharing. Helps us to recognize that we are all part of the same family under the Father. “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part

is honored, all the parts share its joy.” (1 Cor 12:26) Social Justice: The collaborative efforts of a united

society to ensure that laws are established that provide conditions that allow associations or individuals to obtain what is their due, according to their nature and their vocation. Linked to the common good and the exercise of

authority.

Communion of Saints

Communion between all the living faithful and all the deceased faithful. Deceased faithful includes those in Purgatory as well as those

already in heaven. All share the same spiritual goods:

Communion in the faith (from the Apostles) Communion of the sacraments (unite us in faith) Communion of charisms (a gift from the Holy Spirit for the

benefit of all the Church) Communion of goods (everything you have been blessed

with is also to be used for the good of all the members of the Church)

Communion in charity (every good deed strengthens the Body of Christ, every sin harms this communion)

The Church, The Channel of Grace

Christ’s instrument for salvation The Church gives grace through:

Baptism Confirmation Eucharist Reconciliation Anointing of the Sick Holy Orders Matrimony

Participating in the Church transforms us into priests, prophets, and royalty. Christ allows us to participate in our salvation.

Our Mission as Priests

Differs from hierarchical priesthood of bishops and priests

Baptism marks us as a people that are to act as Christ

We are to offer ourselves to God in worship, become holy, and help others grow in holiness

Transforms us into a community founded on faith, hope, and charity (Theological Virtues)

Our Mission as Prophets

Someone who speaks God’s Word to others, witnesses to the truth about Jesus Christ, and reminds others to persevere in the true faith. Not someone who predicts the future; think evangelist People who spread the message of Christ throughout the world

We act as prophets whenever we give witness to him through our words, actions, or example. Bishops and priests work as prophets within the Church The laity carry out their prophetic mission outside of the

Church in the secular world In neighborhoods, workplaces, malls, hospitals, restaurants, sports, etc.“In faith, hope, and charity they manifest Christ to others.” (Lumen

Gentium, 31)

Our Royal Mission

Royalty is not to be equated with earthly riches and power.

Rather, it is the power to serve and protect those people who have been charged to their care. True royalty does not seek to

be served but to serve others. “With great power comes

great responsibility.”

What Happens in the Sacraments

Chapter 2

Our Focus

We don’t just celebrate our redemption, we participate in it. We do so in the Paschal Mystery

Jesus did not celebrate the sacraments as we do today. He instituted them through his words and

actions which are recorded in the GospelsWe have received the sacraments through Apostolic

successionGuided by the Holy Spirit

Review

What are the four types of communion represented by the Body of Christ With the Trinity Other Catholics Non Catholics Saints

How do the sacraments build up the Body of Christ? Each sacrament plays a different role

Initiates, heals, and creates community for the Body of Christ

CELEBRATING OUR REDEMPTION

The liturgy is a celebration of the Paschal Mystery of Christ. We are redeemed! Especially in the Eucharist

We are present and participate in the actual Paschal Mystery of Christ. Not as if merely watching a reenactment. Transforms us so that we may imitate the life of Christ.

Imitating Christ

Do you feel indebted to Christ for our gift of salvation? How do we pay this debt…

Have you ever imitated the actions of someone influential in your life? We typically act this way because we received some

kind of gift from them.Dedicated time and effort for your benefit

Family, teacher, coach…

Participation in the liturgy transforms us so that we begin to imitate Jesus more and more.

CHRIST ACTS THROUGH THE SACRAMENTS

The events of our salvation occurred only once: Jesus’ Passion, Death, Resurrection, and

Ascension The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

However, by the power of the Holy Spirit the liturgy makes these events present and real for us today.

God the Father: Source and Goal of the Liturgy

Throughout human history, people have witnessed visible signs of God’s blessings Blessings: Divine life-giving actions “God’s invisible attributes of eternal power and

divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made.” (Rom 1:20)Seen in everything that surrounds us.Every aspect of creation leads back to our Divine

Creator.

However…

Creation only points to the Divine, it does not make real the Divine.

“In the Church’s liturgy the divine blessing is fully revealed and communicated.” (CCC, 1082)

The sacraments point to God but they also make God truly present to us God acts, we respond

The Work of Christ in the Liturgy

Christ’s presence is clearly seen in the liturgy in the following ways: Jesus is present in the minister of the sacrament

Christ is the minister, the priest only acts in his name. Jesus is present in the Word

The Word of God made fleshChrist speaks when the Scriptures are read in the liturgy

Jesus is present when the Church prays and sings“For where two or three are gathered together in my name,

there I am in the midst of them.” (Mat 18:20) Jesus is especially present in the species of the

EucharistReal Presence: The doctrine that Jesus Christ is truly present

in his Body and Blood under the form of bread and wine in the Eucharist.

The Holy Spirit Prepares Us to Meet Christ in the Liturgy

TWO WAYS THAT WE INTERACT WITH THE H.S.

Anamnesis: The “remembering of” (Latin) Recalls all that God has done for us Ex. in the Liturgy (OT reading, NT Epistle, and Gospel) Holy Spirit awakens our memory to the entirety of our faith

Epiclesis: “Invocation prayer” (Latin) the intercessory prayer that the priest makes during Mass in

which he begs the Father to send the Spirit so that the bread and wine may become the body and blood of Christ.

INTRODUCING THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS

The Church’s entire liturgical life revolves around the Eucharist and the other sacraments.

They can be understood in several different senses to gain a greater comprehension of their nature.

The Sacraments of Christ

Christ instituted each of them while he was on earth Not in the form as we know them today Each sacrament is rooted in Christ’s Paschal

mystery

The Sacraments of the Church

Christ gave his Church the power to make God’s grace available through the sacraments.

The Church has the authority to determine the rituals of each sacrament. Magisterium (Authority)

The Sacraments of Faith

The sacraments are not rooted in the faith of the individuals receiving the sacrament or in the minister. They are rooted in the faith of the whole Church

That is why they are celebrated communally

The faith of the Church has preserved them throughout the history of the Church Lex orandi, lex credendi

How we pray is how we believe (You play how you practice) Sacred Tradition (Apostolic Succesion)

The Sacraments of Salvation

The sacraments confer the grace they signify – efficacious

THEY DON’T SIMPLY REPRESENT OUR SALVATION. THEY GIVE US OUR SALVATION.

Ex opere operato “By the work worked”

It refers to the fact that the sacraments confer grace when the sign is validly effected -- not as the result of activity on the part of the recipient but by the power and promise of God.

The grace of the sacrament is not dependent on the worthiness of either the celebrant or the recipient. Christ and the Holy Spirit still work through them Disposition is important; must be open to receiving the

grace

The Sacraments of Eternal Life

The sacraments are celebrated in anticipation of eternal happiness.

Unites us with the Holy Trinity.

This life will only be fully experienced after death. However, we get a foretaste of the life that is to

come now in our present lives by participating in the liturgy and sacraments.

END

CELEBRATING THE CHURCH’S LITURGY

Sacraments are celebrations that are “woven from signs and symbols.” (CCC, 1145) Each have their own proper matter and form.

Who celebrates the liturgy?How is the liturgy celebrated?When is the liturgy celebratedWhere is the liturgy celebrated?

Who Celebrates the Liturgy?

Christus totus – “whole Christ” Head and Body

Church in Heaven/Church on earth When we celebrate Mass we participate in the

Heavenly liturgy.

How Is the Liturgy Celebrated?

With signs and symbols Words, actions, and objects that express the meaning of

each sacrament.

Apostles and their successors, given authority from Christ, determine the words, and gestures used to communicate the effects of each sacrament. form – The traditional words said for each sacrament matter – The traditional physical element(s) and/or

gesture(s) used in each sacrament “sacred oath and sacred ritual” ***matter, form, minister handout

Liturgy of the Word

OT reading, Responsorial Psalm, NT reading, and Gospel reading

Homily, profession of faith, and intercessions

Has it’s own set of signs that communicate Christ’s presence.

A sign of unity Catholics everywhere say and do the same things at the

same time. Scripture Readings

Sunday = 3 year cycle Weekday = 2 year cycle Read in the vernacular

Several Liturgical Traditions

The criterion that ensures unity: Communion in the faith and sacraments received from the Apostles

Apostolic Succession (Some things do not change within rites)However, some elements are subject to change according to the culture of the

people. (Richness of the Mystery of Christ - VII)

Western Rites Roman rite (Latin)

Eastern Rites Byzantine rite (Constantinople) Coptic rite (Egypt) Syriac rite (Syria) Armenian rite (Armenia) Chaldean rite (Iraq)

When is the Liturgy Celebrated? The liturgical calendar is rooted in Sunday

Replaces and fulfills the Jewish Sabbath “The Lord’s Day” - The day Christ rose from the dead A Holy day of obligation

A day in the Church year when all Catholics are to celebrate Mass

Missing without a serious reason is a grave sin

The Church Year (liturgical year) Organizes the major events of Jesus’ life from birth to

Paschal Mystery Brings us into the present of those saving moments

The events that have earned our salvation happen all over again for us in the present. We get to take part in them!

Readying for the Incarnation of Jesus Christ

The Incarnation is marked during the seasons of Advent and Christmas. Advent = On Sunday, 4 weeks before Christmas

“coming” - The celebration of the coming of the Messiah Christmas = Vigil Mass on Dec. 24th

The Church celebrates Christ’s B-day on Dec. 25thBible does not disclose this dateHistorians believe that this date was chosen by the

Church in order to replace the celebration of a popular pagan sun god. --> True Son of God, Light of the World

The Christmas season includes several other feast days and concludes with the celebration of Jesus’ Baptism

Third Sunday after New Year’s Day

Focusing on the Paschal Mystery Celebrated during the season of Lent

Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday Lent = “spring time” --> personal renewal

40 Days of penance, fasting, and prayer Recalls the forty years the Israelites spent wandering in the

desert as well as the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert praying, fasting and resisting temptation in preparation for public ministry

A time for us to conquer our temptations and become more spiritually disciplined in preparation of Easter

Easter season lasts 50 days 40th day (7th Sunday) the Church celebrates Jesus’ Ascension 50th day the Church celebrates Pentecost

The day the Church was born

Marking Ordinary Time

“Ordinary Time” Used to express the period of time between

Christ’s Baptism and Lent (5-8 weeks) as well as the period of time between Pentecost and Advent (23-28 weeks).

Focus is on following Jesus in everyday life. Scripture readings highlight how we are to relate

to our family members, the poor, our enemies, and our authorities.

ADDITIONAL DAYS OF CELEBRATION WITHIN THE LITURGICAL YEAR…

Mary and the Sanctoral Cycle

The perfect model of of Christian discipleship. Her honor takes away nor adds anything to

the dignity of Christ. Referred to as “Advocate”, “Helper”,

“Benefactress”, and “Mediatrix”.The Church also honors the other saints

because of their great example of holiness and charity.

Both Mary and the saints are honored throughout the liturgical year.

Liturgy of the Hours

The public prayer of the Church that makes holy the entire course of the day and night. Also referred to as the Divine Office

Celebrated typically by priests and consecrated religious seven times a day

“Pray without ceasing” - St. Paul

Where Is the Liturgy Celebrated? In buildings specifically constructed for divine worship.

The Spirit of God cannot be limited to one place Important that community gathers (parishes, diocese, Rome)

Catholic Churches include: Altar table, for sacrifice of Mass Tabernacle, which houses the Blessed Sacrament Chair, for the presider of the sacraments (bishop or priest) Ambo, for proclaiming the Word of God Aumbry, niche for Sacred Oils Baptistery, for celebrating baptisms Confessional, for celebrating Reconcilliation

“Signify and make visible the Church living in this place…” (CCC, 1180)

Eschatological significance Symbolizes the passing from this world to the eternal Kingdom of God