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Meditation Forty-three, Fifth Week of December 2003 The Sacraments and Eternal Life Begin with prayer to the Holy Spirit Readings: 2 Peter 1:3-8; 1 Cor. 11:23-27; Titus 2:11-14; Catechism 1113-1134 Not only did Our Lord institute the sacraments to give the grace of His paschal sacrifice to the members of His Mystical Body but the sacraments come forth now from the Church like streams of living water from the source that is the whole body of Christ. This is not an easy idea to grasp, nor is it necessary to understand this concept fully in order to receive the sacraments devoutly. Nevertheless, it is a profound idea that can give us a deeper appreciation of our salvation. Writing in the fifth century, St. Leo the Great said that sacraments are "powers that come forth from the body of Christ." This is why it is proper for sacraments to be given always in union with the Church as the body of Christ. However, in His great mercy God has permitted the sacraments to be validly given to anyone trying to follow the way of Christ. Therefore, Baptism, properly performed and with the right intention, is always valid. All Christians who enter a legitimate marriage receive the sacrament; Catholics, however, are required to have the proper witness of a priest or deacon, except in grave circumstances like the absence of any clergy. The Church recognizes the validity of all the sacraments given in the Orthodox churches and, when necessary, provides pastoral authority for these sacraments, like Penance or Reconciliation. Most people are unaware of this fact. The basic rule on sacraments is that they are given by God for the salvation of souls and should not be restricted so long as the person has the correct disposition-sorrow for sin, a purpose of amendment, and the decision to give up sin and the desire to lead a good Christian life. The reception of Holy Communion is a special sign of the Church's unity and requires membership in the Church. However, even here there are circumstances when members of the Orthodox churches can receive Communion at Mass, and there are even circumstances where we can receive the Eucharist at their liturgy with the approval of their clergy. Naturally, anyone going to Holy Communion must believe that the Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Christ. It is very unfortunate that many in our times seem to be woefully ignorant of the meaning and holiness of the sacraments. As in the time of the original Oratory of Divine Love, we should make a point of showing the greatest reverence for all the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist. Members of the Oratory are required to do good works of charity and of religion. A perfect work for our members is to become a Eucharistic minister for the sick and homebound and to fulfill this ministry with the greatest reverence. For example, remaining silent and recollected when carrying the Holy Eucharist, preparing appropriate prayers to be offered with the sick and the family. It is good idea for the Eucharistic minister to bring a small white linen cloth, on which to place the pyx, and two small vigil candles. If an Oratorian is responsible for preparing someone for Baptism, the holy Anointing of the Sick, or for marriage, it should always be done in the most reverent way, wearing our Sunday best and presenting the attitude that the whole Church must have toward the sacraments: reverence and loving service of our Savior. Quotation for Meditation The Word came to be received by His people in human form. So humanly He continues His work of salvation among us, incarnate in things and men. Were it not so, we could not meet Him in a human way. He continues this work in order to build up His Body. For through man's deification, through what he does, what he endures (suffering, death) that is the purpose of the sacramental economy. One flock, one Shepherd seeking His sheep through the ministers of His Word and of His life, forming a flock which will only be finally established when time ends. Through the sacraments, understood in their complete meaning of revelation and life, Christ, who entrusted them to the hierarchy of His Church, is constantly in action on earth. He remains present in order to realize His heart's desire; He is present through the communication of His priesthood, through the grace He gives, through the glory He promises, through the Holy Spirit who is both the Gift to believers and the agent that unites mankind: "The imparting of the Holy Spirit be with you all" (2 Cor. 13:13). "That they all be one . . . so as to see my glory" (John 17:21, 24). Lastly, when we live from the sacraments, we are preparing on earth the Church of heaven. "The man who eats this bread will live eternally" (John 6:59). The ultimate purpose of the sacraments is eternal life; that is why they foretell the future glory of the heavenly Jerusalem and begin its construction among men. . . . They begin its construction since they pour into each of us living water, not only for this world but for everlasting life (John 4:14); water for the thirsty man, for the man of desires, the drink which God and the Lamb will bestow on the wedding day of the Bridegroom and the Bride (Apoc. 22:27). "In that place you will show me all that my heart desired" (St. John of the Cross, Spiritual Canticle, v. 36). This desire, St. John of the Cross explains, is the perfect union with God in love, a union that cannot be completed in this life. . . . The sacraments also prepare us for the life and activities of the heavenly Jerusalem by the zest they give us in our search for God. On earth, their psychological function is wholly ordained to the discovery of God's nature, to His mystery as manifested in Christ, to the total development of man's potentialities. In the heavenly city all this will have disappeared and God will "all in all." But the common and fraternal love of God, then unrestrictedly present, will continue. Praise will be unending in eternal rest; love will be for ever new and will for ever increase. "There we shall rest and we shall see; we shall see and we shall love; we shall love and we shall praise" (St. Augustine, City of God, 22, 30). ("What is a Sacrament," in The Twentieth Century Encyclopedia of Catholicism, 172-74.) Quiet Time and Then Discussion Questions for Meditation 1. Do I need to think some more about the sacraments and how I assist
at them? Prayer O Lord Jesus Christ, how much You have loved us! You have given us these mysterious signs of Your living grace. By Your Holy Spirit give me the faith to assist at or to receive the sacraments as best I can. Help me always to give a good example of reverence and faith at Your sacraments. Amen. |