Sacramentality and Sacraments

Sacramentality: Seeing God in All Things

  • Sacramentality is a core belief in Catholicism, summarized as "seeing God in all things."
  • The creator is revealed in creation, meaning everything that exists reflects God to some degree.
  • This doesn't equate to the fullest source of revelation, which Christians believe is Jesus.
  • Jesus is the incarnation of God in the flesh and the ultimate revelation.
  • Sacramentality is the physical sign of an invisible, spiritual reality.
    • Capital "S" Sacraments: the seven sacraments.
    • Small "s" sacraments: broader sense; e.g., a relationship with one's mother, or Jesus as the primordial sacrament.

Mystery

  • The word mystery originates from the Greek "mysterion" and relates to the word sacrament.
  • Mystery starts with something known, but in knowing it, there is always more to know.
  • God is revealed by all things in creation to some degree, but not fully.
  • Personal Reflection: The value of seeking God in all things.
    • Experiences in nature (e.g., the High Sierras) can reveal aspects of God like majesty and glory.

Sacrament of Baptism

  • Story of Jesus' Baptism:
    • John the Baptist baptized people for forgiveness of sins.
    • Jesus' baptism by John appeared problematic as it seemed to imply Jesus was a sinner.
    • Jesus said that all righteousness would be fulfilled by this.
    • John initially resisted but then agreed to baptize Jesus.
    • When Jesus came out of the water, the heavens opened, and the voice of the Father declared, "You are my beloved."
    • The Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove.
  • Baptism and the Holy Spirit are constant themes throughout Jesus' ministry.
    • Great Commission: "Go to all nations, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."
    • Post-Resurrection Appearance: Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit on them and said, "Whose sins you forgive are forgiven."
    • Pentecost: A major event related to the Holy Spirit.
  • Significance of Symbols and Events:
    • Jordan River and Water in the Old Testament:
      • Red Sea: Represents freedom from slavery in Egypt; parallels baptism as a change from slavery to freedom.
      • Covenant on Mount Sinai: Represents freedom in God through the covenant.
      • Baptism: Represents Change from your old self to your new self, going from slavery to sin and the fear of death, to freedom. We are no longer slaves to sin.
      • Waters of Chaos (Genesis): The Holy Spirit brings order and purpose out of the chaotic waters.
      • Noah's Ark: Water represents the effects of sin; the ark symbolizes being saved from sin.
    • Symbolism of Water: Death to life (dying underwater and being resurrected upon coming out, symbolizing old life to new life).
    • Links between the voice of the father about Christ and how that makes Christ more real.
  • Effects of Baptism:
    • Old life to a new life.
    • Being freed from sin.
    • Hope beyond death.
    • Initiation into the Church (the mystical body of Christ).

Sacrament of the Eucharist

  • The Eucharist: "Sacrament of sacraments."
    • What does that mean?
  • Four Ways Jesus Is Present in the Eucharist:
    • Congregation/People of God: The mystical body of Christ; Christ created the church and is its body.
    • The Word: Christ is the Word of God, the Word made flesh (Bible).
    • The Priest: Acting in persona Christi; Christ is the high priest, and the priest represents Christ leading in prayer.
    • The Eucharist: Jesus identified himself as the bread of life (John 6: "I am the bread of life. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.").
  • Connection to Other Sacraments:
    • Forgiveness in the life of Christ.
    • Sacrament of Reconciliation: Only God forgives sins (hurting others hurts God).
      • Story: Person lowered in front of Christ; Jesus said, "Your sins are forgiven," demonstrating that Jesus is the one who forgives sins and is, therefore, God.
  • Eucharist and Forgiveness:
    • Receiving the Eucharist grants the recipient the power of the body and blood of Christ, who forgives, and enables them to be more forgiving themselves.
  • Key Terms:
    • Epiklesis: Invoking the Holy Spirit.
      • The priest prays for the Holy Spirit to consecrate the bread and wine, and they will become the body and blood of Jesus.
      • It is not the priest but the presence of Gods Holy Spirit. Transforsming the bread and wine.
    • Animasis: Memory.
      • Making the past present (the meaning and presence of Christ's life and ministry are brought to the Eucharistic prayer).
    • Transubstantiation: The miracle of the Eucharist:
      • Bread and wine are no longer bread and wine and now Christ
      • The appearance stays the same, but the substance changes.
      • The substance of the bread has been changed through the Holy Spirit into the flesh of Jesus. While the substance of the wine is the blood of Jesus.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

  • Define and Explain the Sacrament of Reconciliation
    • Process of unity/Reconciliation as a "coming back together."
  • Titles of the Sacrament:
    • Contrition: Sorrow; genuine remorse with a desire to change.
    • Confession: Saying sins out loud to a priest to make them real.
    • Forgiveness (Absolution): The priest proclaims forgiveness in Christ (Christ forgiving through the priest's ministry).
    • Penance: Reparation or satisfaction; actions taken to make up for the harm caused by sin.
    • Conversion: A real change in oneself towards God.
  • Story: A story as an example of the process of reconciliation.

Sacramental Economy

  • Economy: (Greek) = household rule.
    • Theology studies God's house.
    • The rule of God's house is grace.
    • Jesus gives grace through the seven sacraments and sacramentality.
  • Explain How Sacramental Graces Flow from God to You
    • Graces, sacramentality, seven sacraments.
  • Seven Sacraments:
    • Baptism: We talked about above.
    • Eucharist: We talked about above.
    • Reconciliation: We talked about above.
    • Confirmation: The Holy Spirit brings the presence of God and connects us with Christ so that we can live more like Christ.
    • Anointing of the Sick: Connects to Jesus healing people.
    • Holy Orders: Representing Christ as a priest in the community, leading in prayer, offering sacrifices, and helping others be holy.
    • The Sacrament of Matrimony: Christ is the bridegroom, and the church is the bride. Participating in the way that God in his covenant wants to love his people