Religion 11 - Chapter 1: Intro to Sacraments

consupiscence

the inclination to give in to the passions of the soul that can often lead to sin

original sin

the first sin committed by the human race that is inherited by all and gives us all the inclination to sin

original holiness

the state enjoyed by the first man and first woman through which Adam and Eve shared in the Divine Life of God

original justice

the state of inner harmony amongst the human race and all of creation in which no sin was committed

salvation history

the action of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in human history to restore us to our original perfection

What does God give man and woman?

Dominion over nature - can use animals for food/clothing, but must take care of animals and their habitat

We are the only creatures able to…

know and love our Creator and be called to share in his life

What happened to Original Holiness and Original Justice?

lost through Original Sin

What type of concupiscence do humans suffer from? Explain.

triple concupiscence:

1. 1st Concupiscence: Pleasure of the senses (can sin with any sense)

2. 2nd Concupiscence: Covetousness of earthly goods (jealousy of what someone else has)

3. 3rd Concupiscence: Self-Assertion - wanting to be better than everyone else

What can God not be fully in communion with and why?

something that is not perfect b/c it’s against His nature

What does God do throughout human history?

works to restore our perfection

Who would the Savior be?

someone who would teach humans how to act (with love) and who would be the sacrifice for their sins

What does Jesus give us when He comes, and what do they do?

He gives us new commandments to live by. They don’t abolish the law, they fulfill the Law.

What does Jesus know about humans because of our fallen nature?

Because of concupiscence, we can’t live as He did by ourselves.

What does Jesus carry out?

the final step of the plan for all of creation’s redemption - His sacrifice on the cross

How does Jesus’s sacrifice begin and end?

begins with the Eucharist at the Last Supper, ends with the crucifixion

How and why did Jesus establish the Church?

He established the Church through the apostles to ensure that His teachings and the Eucharist are transmitted to future generations.

What does Jesus do through the Church?

He constantly offers Himself to us in His teachings, in the Eucharist, and through the Sacraments.

What does Jesus now allow us to do?

to either accept or reject Him

List the Seven Sacraments

Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick

sacraments

visible symbols and signs instituted by Jesus Christ for His Church, through which He confers on His people grace and life

grace

the free and undeserved gift that God gives us to respond to our vocation of becoming His adopted children

matter

a visible, material element(s) that must be present in order for a Sacrament to take place; each sacrament has this

• Ex. bread, wine, water, oil, etc.

form

certain words that must be spoken in order to actualize (change) the matter of a sacrament into instruments of grace; each sacrament has this

What must be present for a Sacrament to be valid?

both the matter and the form

Other than matter and form, what does every sacrament have?

a minister - almost always an ordained man (ex. bishop, priest, or deacon)

• Exception - anyone can baptize someone in the extreme need; also, the man and the woman validate the sacrament of marriage

Who is the principal minister of each sacrament? How does this work?

Jesus; the human ministers stand in Persona Christi, or “in the person of Christ”

actual grace

• given to us in order to overcome the temptation to do wrong

• allows us to overcome vices like laziness, peer pressure, or conformity to a sinful society

• is individual to each action that we have a moral decision to make

• use in daily lives/situations

sanctifying grace

the stable and neutral disposition that perfects the soul itself to enable it to live with God and act by His love

• receive sanctifying grace in the sacraments

• the more we use sanctifying grace, the stronger our disposition to do God’s will becomes

• changes our soul

What does a sacrament help a person do each time they receive it?

live out three divine calls

What are the three divine calls?

1. A Call of Personal Holiness - the mission of a lifetime to be able to find God and know who he is so that we could one day be with him in heaven (this is the #1 goal!)

2. A Call to Worship - the ability to show our desire to commune with God and receive his grace through active participation in the life that God extends to us

3. A Call to Correct Moral Attitude - the desire to live a life worthy of Christ in the same way that Christ would live it

Validity in sacraments

• all sacraments have certain criteria for validity - matter, form, a minister, etc.

• sacrament is ministered and received validly when the full sign is present and the purpose of the sacrament is achieved

• valid intent must be present for both the minister and the recipient for all of the graces and gifts of the sacrament to be present (have to want it)

• each sacrament has its own special criteria that MUST be present for it to take place

What is every sacramental act?

an act of worship and love between God and His creation

What is required for the full effects of a sacrament to happen?

full knowledge and participation

What is not essential for the validity of a sacrament, and why?

The worthiness of the minister, because Jesus is always the principal minster

• “When Peter baptizes, it is Christ who baptizes; When Paul baptizes, it is Christ who baptizes; When Judas baptizes, it is Christ who baptizes.” - St. Augustine