An Introduction to the Sacraments

The Eucharist 1The Eucharist 1

An Introduction An Introduction to the to the

SacramentsSacraments

Word and SacramentWord and Sacrament!! Salvation is through participation in Word and Salvation is through participation in Word and

SacramentSacrament!! Word:Word:

!! Preaching the “Good News” (gospel), reading the Preaching the “Good News” (gospel), reading the biblebible

!! Involves language, addresses Involves language, addresses thethe mindmind!! Sacrament: Sacrament: a defined rite of the Church that:a defined rite of the Church that:

!! Involves actions, material objects, as well as Involves actions, material objects, as well as languagelanguage

!! Addresses the senses and the unconscious, as well Addresses the senses and the unconscious, as well as the mindas the mind

Traditional TheologyTraditional Theology!! A A sacramentsacrament involves an involves an “outward, visible “outward, visible

sign”sign” that is a conduit for an that is a conduit for an “inward and “inward and spiritual grace”spiritual grace”

!! Imparting of grace is Imparting of grace is ex ex opereopere operatooperato!! Depends only on the “proper performance” of the Depends only on the “proper performance” of the

sacramentsacrament!! Does not depend on the godliness of the minister Does not depend on the godliness of the minister

or the faith of the recipientor the faith of the recipient!! Minister must have proper intentionMinister must have proper intention!! Recipient must set up no obstacles to receiving grace Recipient must set up no obstacles to receiving grace

(such as contempt or gross disbelief)(such as contempt or gross disbelief)

Traditional TheologyTraditional Theology

!! ““Outward and Visible Sign”Outward and Visible Sign”!! 1. 1. MatterMatter –– the material substance usedthe material substance used

!! E.g. Water in BaptismE.g. Water in Baptism!! E.g. Bread and Wine in the EucharistE.g. Bread and Wine in the Eucharist

!! 2. 2. FormForm –– ritual action, formula of wordsritual action, formula of words!! E.g. Washing in BaptismE.g. Washing in Baptism!! E.g. Breaking, Pouring, Eating, Drinking in the E.g. Breaking, Pouring, Eating, Drinking in the

EucharistEucharist


!! ““Inward and Spiritual Grace”Inward and Spiritual Grace” = “= “resres” = the ” = the presence of God. Two facets:presence of God. Two facets:!! 1. The “symbolic reality” or “paschal mystery:” a 1. The “symbolic reality” or “paschal mystery:” a

description of the recipient’s “participation” in the description of the recipient’s “participation” in the divinedivine!! E.g. In the Eucharist: the partaking of the body and E.g. In the Eucharist: the partaking of the body and

blood of Christblood of Christ!! 2. The benefits of this participation2. The benefits of this participation

!! E.g. strengthening of our bond to God, a foretaste of the E.g. strengthening of our bond to God, a foretaste of the heavenly banquet to comeheavenly banquet to come

Traditional TheologyTraditional Theology!! A sacrament is A sacrament is regularregular if performed according if performed according

to the canons and laws of the Churchto the canons and laws of the Church!! A matter purely of A matter purely of Church disciplineChurch discipline

!! A sacrament is A sacrament is validvalid when all the conditions when all the conditions required for the sacrament are fulfilledrequired for the sacrament are fulfilled

!! 1. Proper matter and form1. Proper matter and form!! 2. Proper minister (good intentions)2. Proper minister (good intentions)!! 3. Proper recipient (not deliberately resisting grace)3. Proper recipient (not deliberately resisting grace)

!! A matter of A matter of Church doctrine and theologyChurch doctrine and theology


!! Number of sacramentsNumber of sacraments!! Augustine: 304 sacraments (sacred signs)Augustine: 304 sacraments (sacred signs)!! Early medieval period: 2 to 12 or moreEarly medieval period: 2 to 12 or more!! Luther: 3 sacramentsLuther: 3 sacraments!! Calvin: 2 sacramentsCalvin: 2 sacraments!! Anglicans, Catholics and Orthodox: 7 sacramentsAnglicans, Catholics and Orthodox: 7 sacraments

!! BCP: Two “sacraments of the Gospel,” five not counted BCP: Two “sacraments of the Gospel,” five not counted as sacraments of the Gospelas sacraments of the Gospel

The Sacramental View of RealityThe Sacramental View of Reality

!! Three Views of Reality:Three Views of Reality:!! 1. 1. MaterialismMaterialism, , NaturalismNaturalism, or , or RealismRealism

!! True reality is “matter in motion”True reality is “matter in motion”!! The “spiritual” world is a delusionThe “spiritual” world is a delusion

!! 2. 2. SpiritualismSpiritualism or or IdealismIdealism!! True reality is mind and spirit onlyTrue reality is mind and spirit only!! Material world is unimportant, possibly evilMaterial world is unimportant, possibly evil

!! 3. 3. Sacramental ViewSacramental View!! True reality includes both material and spiritual worldsTrue reality includes both material and spiritual worlds!! The spiritual world “expresses itself … acts and The spiritual world “expresses itself … acts and

operates in the through the material”operates in the through the material”


““Earth’s crammed with heaven,Earth’s crammed with heaven,And every common bush afire with God;And every common bush afire with God;But only he who sees takes off his shoes,But only he who sees takes off his shoes,The rest sit round and plunk blackberries.”The rest sit round and plunk blackberries.”

-- Elizabeth Barrett BrowningElizabeth Barrett Browning

“To me, the meanest flower that blows can give“To me, the meanest flower that blows can giveThoughts that do often lie too deep for tears”Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears”

-- William WordsworthWilliam Wordsworth


!! Recognizes the duality of our experience in Recognizes the duality of our experience in this world:this world:!! We are embodied beings in a very material worldWe are embodied beings in a very material world!! We can feel intimations of beauty, mystery, We can feel intimations of beauty, mystery,

meaning through this material world (a bush, a meaning through this material world (a bush, a flower, a sunset…)flower, a sunset…)

!! Explains this duality:Explains this duality:!! The material world can be a “conduit,” a “door” to The material world can be a “conduit,” a “door” to

the sacredthe sacred!! God is “immanent” in God’s creation. Creation is God is “immanent” in God’s creation. Creation is

charged with divine glory.charged with divine glory.

Modern Theology of the SacramentsModern Theology of the Sacraments

!! Broader definition: Broader definition: A sacrament is the A sacrament is the encounter with God when something of the encounter with God when something of the material world becomes a conduit, a door to material world becomes a conduit, a door to the sacredthe sacred!! Greek term Greek term mysterionmysterion: : an experience of some an experience of some

higher, spiritual powerhigher, spiritual power!! Eastern Orthodoxy often calls the seven traditional Eastern Orthodoxy often calls the seven traditional

sacraments the seven “mysteries”sacraments the seven “mysteries”

Modern Theology of the SacramentsModern Theology of the Sacraments

!! Using this broader definition: Using this broader definition: !! Creation is a Creation is a sacrament sacrament of Godof God!! Jesus in his humanity is the Jesus in his humanity is the primordial primordial

sacramentsacrament of Godof God!! The Church on earth is the The Church on earth is the fundamental fundamental

sacramentsacrament of the Kingdom of Godof the Kingdom of God!! Each Christian should be a Each Christian should be a living sacramentliving sacrament of of

God’s loveGod’s love

Modern TheologyModern TheologyCreation as a Sacrament of GodCreation as a Sacrament of God

““The Heavens announce the glory of God and The Heavens announce the glory of God and the firmament proclaims his handiwork”the firmament proclaims his handiwork”

-- Psalm 19Psalm 19

“Ever since the creation of the world, his “Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible nature invisible nature –– eternal power and divine eternal power and divine character character –– have been clearly perceptible have been clearly perceptible through what he has made”through what he has made”

-- Romans 1:19Romans 1:19--2020

Modern TheologyModern TheologyCreation as a Sacrament of GodCreation as a Sacrament of God

““Nothing is a vacuum in the face of God. Everything is Nothing is a vacuum in the face of God. Everything is a sign of God.”a sign of God.”

-- St. St. IrenaeusIrenaeus

“The mystics offer us the best proof of this. St. Francis “The mystics offer us the best proof of this. St. Francis of Assisi immersed himself so deeply in the mystery of Assisi immersed himself so deeply in the mystery of God that suddenly he found everything of God that suddenly he found everything transfigured. Everything spoke to him of God and transfigured. Everything spoke to him of God and Christ: the worms along the wayside; the lambs in the Christ: the worms along the wayside; the lambs in the field; the birds in the trees; fire, and death, which he field; the birds in the trees; fire, and death, which he came to call Sister Death”came to call Sister Death”

-- Leonardo Leonardo BoffBoff (Brazilian Liberation theologian)(Brazilian Liberation theologian)

Modern TheologyModern TheologyJesus as Primordial SacramentJesus as Primordial Sacrament

!! Edward Edward SchillebeeckxSchillebeeckx Christ the SacramentChrist the Sacrament19631963

!! Jesus Jesus in his humanityin his humanity is the is the primordial primordial sacramentsacrament of God:of God:!! Jesus took on material form and became fully Jesus took on material form and became fully

human; yet he remained as well fully Godhuman; yet he remained as well fully God!! God is seen most fully in and through JesusGod is seen most fully in and through Jesus


““The man Jesus, as the personal visible The man Jesus, as the personal visible realization of the divine grace of redemption, realization of the divine grace of redemption, is the sacrament, the primordial sacrament, is the sacrament, the primordial sacrament, because this man, the Son of God himself, is because this man, the Son of God himself, is intended by the Father to be in his humanity intended by the Father to be in his humanity the only way to the actuality of redemption”the only way to the actuality of redemption”

-- Edward Edward SchillebeeckxSchillebeeckx


!! MacquarrieMacquarrie:: Jesus is better termed “a Jesus is better termed “a supersacramentsupersacrament, a unique manifestation in , a unique manifestation in visible form of the authentic life of God.” visible form of the authentic life of God.”

!! Jesus, the Jesus, the supersacramentsupersacrament, is:, is:!! 1. The 1. The true ministertrue minister of the seven traditional of the seven traditional

sacramentssacraments!! The human minister is a standThe human minister is a stand--in for Jesusin for Jesus

!! 2. The 2. The contentcontent of the seven traditional sacramentsof the seven traditional sacraments!! The “inward and spiritual grace” = the The “inward and spiritual grace” = the resres, , is Jesus is Jesus

acting in the life of the recipientacting in the life of the recipient


““One might hear the word “baptism”, and think One might hear the word “baptism”, and think immediately of water. One might hear the word immediately of water. One might hear the word “unction”, and think immediately of oil. One might “unction”, and think immediately of oil. One might hear the word “hear the word “eucharisteucharist”, and think immediately of ”, and think immediately of bread and wine…but when one hears the word bread and wine…but when one hears the word “baptism”, one should think of Jesus, when one hears “baptism”, one should think of Jesus, when one hears the word “unction”, one should think of Jesus, when the word “unction”, one should think of Jesus, when one hears the word “one hears the word “eucharisteucharist,” one should think of ,” one should think of Jesus, and so on.”Jesus, and so on.”

-- KenanKenan Osborne (Franciscan theologian)Osborne (Franciscan theologian)


The particular graces of Jesus acting in the life of the The particular graces of Jesus acting in the life of the recipient:recipient:

1.1. Baptism:Baptism: The Baptized One (grace of faith)The Baptized One (grace of faith)2.2. ConfirmationConfirmation The Confirmed One (grace of The Confirmed One (grace of

perseverance)perseverance)3.3. ReconciliationReconciliation The Reconciler (grace of penitence)The Reconciler (grace of penitence)4.4. EucharistEucharist The Really Present One (grace of The Really Present One (grace of

selfself--giving)giving)5.5. UnctionUnction The Healer (grace of wholeness)The Healer (grace of wholeness)6.6. OrdersOrders The Priest (grace of service)The Priest (grace of service)7.7. MarriageMarriage The Lover (grace of love)The Lover (grace of love)

Modern TheologyModern TheologyChurch as Fundamental SacramentChurch as Fundamental Sacrament

!! The Church is called to be a visible presence The Church is called to be a visible presence of God’s will for Humanity and Creationof God’s will for Humanity and Creation

!! The Church is called to be Christ present in the The Church is called to be Christ present in the worldworld

Modern TheologyModern TheologyChurch as Fundamental SacramentChurch as Fundamental Sacrament

““Now the Church is the continuance, the Now the Church is the continuance, the contemporary presence, of that real, contemporary presence, of that real, eschatologicallyeschatologically triumphant and irrevocably triumphant and irrevocably established presence in the world, in Christ, of established presence in the world, in Christ, of God’s God’s salvificsalvific will. . . . By the very fact of will. . . . By the very fact of being … the enduring presence of Christ in the being … the enduring presence of Christ in the world, the Church is truly the fundamental world, the Church is truly the fundamental sacrament, the wellsacrament, the well--spring of the sacraments in spring of the sacraments in the strict sense.”the strict sense.”

-- Karl Karl RahnerRahner

Modern TheologyModern TheologyChristians as Living SacramentsChristians as Living Sacraments

“…“…when any one of us chooses to act as Jesus when any one of us chooses to act as Jesus was known to act, we too become living was known to act, we too become living sacraments in our world. When I forgive my sacraments in our world. When I forgive my brother or sister from my heart, I become a brother or sister from my heart, I become a sacrament of forgiveness; I unveil the face of sacrament of forgiveness; I unveil the face of God who forgives, just as Jesus himself did.”God who forgives, just as Jesus himself did.”

-- BeguerieBeguerie and and DuchesneauDuchesneau, , -- How to Understand the SacramentsHow to Understand the Sacraments

Modern TheologyModern TheologyThe Sacramental Economy of SalvationThe Sacramental Economy of Salvation

Jesus, Primordial SacramentJesus, Primordial Sacrament

Church, Fundamental SacramentChurch, Fundamental Sacrament

The Seven Traditional SacramentsThe Seven Traditional Sacraments

Christians as Living SacramentsChristians as Living Sacraments

ReferencesReferences!! Sacraments. A New Understanding for a Sacraments. A New Understanding for a

New GenerationNew Generation. Chapters 1. Chapters 1--3. Ray R. Noll. 3. Ray R. Noll. TwentyTwenty--Third Publications, Mystic, CT, 1999Third Publications, Mystic, CT, 1999

!! Introduction to Theology, Third Edition.Introduction to Theology, Third Edition.Chapter 18: “Sacraments” Owen Thomas and Chapter 18: “Sacraments” Owen Thomas and Ellen Ellen WondraWondra. Morehouse Publishing, . Morehouse Publishing, Harrisburg, PA, 2002Harrisburg, PA, 2002

!! A Guide to the SacramentsA Guide to the Sacraments. Chapters 1. Chapters 1--5. 5. John John MacquarrieMacquarrie, Continuum, New York, 1998, Continuum, New York, 1998

Documents

An Introduction to the Sacraments