MEETING JESUS IN THE SACRAMENTSCHAPTER 1THE CHURCH AND THE SACRAMENTAL ECONOMY OF SALVATION

The IncarnationIncarnation: God becoming man; entering human history; becoming flesh in the person of Jesus Christ

TO UNDERSTAND THE SACRAMENTS AS VISIBLE SIGNS OF INVISIBLE GRACE WE MUST MAKE THE INVISIBLE VISIBLE!

Jesus is the Sacrament of GodThe sacraments and the liturgy are the system Christ uses to make himself present on earth

Liturgy, or public work

The sacraments help satisfy our deep longing for communion with Christ!

Christ: the Prime SacramentHow can Jesus be fully human and fully divine at the same time?

This mystery is known as the hypostatic union: in Jesus Christ there are two natures, one human and one divine

JESUS IS A SACRAMENT BECAUSE HE IS THE MOST PERFECT, MOST COMPLETE, VISIBLE SIGN OF THE FATHERS PRESENCE: THE PRIMORDIAL SACRAMENT!

Jesus, an Efficacious SignJESUS IS NOT ONLY A SIGN OF GODS LOVE; HE EFFECTS THAT LOVE AND MAKES IT PRESENT.

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR, THE BASIS OF, ALL SEVEN SACRAMENTS.

The Church, the Universal Sacrament of SalvationThe saving work of Christs entire life is the sacrament of salvation.

In the Church, Jesus continues to live and work among us: the Church makes Christ present in todays world!

The Church as MysteryThe Church is something we cannot fully explain or understand

Writers speak about the Church symbolically:

SheepfoldFlock of sheepCultivated field or vineyardBuilding of GodBride of Christ MotherNew Jerusalem

The Church as Visible SignAs the visible sign of Jesus Christ, who is the perfect sign of the Fathers saving love, the Church has four distinguishing characteristics, or marks:

ONENESSHOLINESSCATHOLICITYAPOSTOLICITY

The Church as Efficacious Sign

The Mission of the Church, the Body of ChristOrigin of this image come from St. Paul:

As members of the Body of Christ, we are united not only to Christ but also to one another

Communion with Christ and the ChurchCommunion with Christ is the Churchs main purpose for existingthat each person may be able to find Christ, in order that Christ may walk with each person the path of life

WHATEVER WE DO AS CATHOLICS, WE ACT AS THE BODY OF CHRIST, AS CHRIST HIMSELF IN TODAYS WORLD

Communion with Other CatholicsWe try to welcome everyoneeven those we may not like

We realize that every person has something positive to add to the Church

Communion with People Throughout the WorldThe mark of catholicity refers to our relationship with other members of the Church, with other Christians, and with all of humankind

The Church has a missionary mandate to proclaim the Gospel to all peoples

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations

Human SolidarityThe virtue of social charity, friendship, and responsible sharing whereby we recognize our interdependence on others and that we are all brothers and sisters of one family under a loving Father

Communion of Saints

The Church, the Channel of Grace

Our Mission as PriestsOn the basis of our Baptism, we are to act as Christ:

SPIRITUAL SACRIFICESPERSONAL HOLINESSHELPING OTHERS GROW IN HOLINESS

Our Mission as ProphetsWe share in the prophetic mission of Christ whenever we give witness to him through our words, actions, or example

We also act as prophets whenever we encourage others in the Church to persevere in faith

Our Royal MissionChrist offered us the gift of royal freedom so that we might overcome our own sinfulness and encourage the world to do the same

True royalty does not seek to be served, but rather seeks to serve others

John Paul the GreatWhat else are the sacraments (all of them!), if not the action of Christ in the Holy Spirit?

First Polish pope, whose reign was the third longest in history