S.A.C.R.A.M.E.N.T.S.
A GENERAL INTRODUCTION
S
A
C
R under several aspects
A
M
E
N
T
S
A
C
Rituals
A
M
E
N
T
RITUAL ACTIVITY
- rite
- order
ordo missae
ordo initiationis christianae adultorum-
ordo confirmationis
- rites of passage
repeatable and unrepeatable
"hatch, scratch, match and dispatch"
character (sphragis)
S
A
Catholic
Rituals
A
M
E
N
T
CATHOLIC NATURE
catholicos = universal
communal
cross of Christ - both horizontal and vertical
Eucharist as Holy Communion
catholic "par excellence"
Symbolic
A
Catholic vs. particular
Rituals
A
M
E
N
T
SYMBOLIC NATURE
SIGN
one meaning
univocal relationship
language of mathematics
metaphysical ="is"
simple
Symbol vs. sign
A
Catholic vs. particular
Rituals
A
M
E
Natural
T
SYMBOL
SYN-BALLEIN = to throw together
something visible and something invisible
Sacrament as an outward sign of an invisible grace
Natural symbols
Human symbols
Between sign and symbol is IKON
"Sacramental Symbols in a Technological Age" - Course packet, pages 18-25.
Symbol vs. sign
Action
Catholic vs. particular
Rituals
A
M
E
Natural and human
T
DYNAMIC ACTIONS
NOUN = person place, thing, concept
static quality
VERB - action
dynamic quality
baptism = baptizein = "to dunk or dip"
confirmation = to confirm (in the faith)
eucharist = eucharistein = "to give thanks"
"breaking of the bread" (Luke 24)
Symbol vs. sign
Action vs. thing
Catholic vs. particular
Rituals
Anthropocentric and theocentric
M
E
Natural and human
T
HUMAN/DIVINE REALITY
CHRIST - one person with two natures - human and divine
Chalcedon - 451 A.D.
Christocentric structure of sacraments
Sacraments are human rituals which reveals God's face
divine love in human form (grace) &
human love in divine form (worship)
Symbol vs. sign
Action vs. thing
Catholic vs. particular
Rituals
Anthropocentric and theocentric
M
E
Natural and human
Traditional
TRADITIONAL GESTURES
traditio, tradere = to pass on
tradition implies "reception"
reception requires adaptation
QUESTION about religion and tradition
Is religion the living faith of the dead or the dead faith of the living?
Symbol vs. sign
Action vs. thing
Catholic vs. particular
Rituals
Anthropocentric and theocentric
Means and meaningful
E
Natural and human
Traditional
EFFICACIOUS SIGNS
St. Augustine - Signum efficax gratiae
sacraments are efficacious signs of grace
they do what they signify
Cause - Effect
Meaningful - bearers of meaning
definition of humans as "symbol makers"
Effect = grace
Grace = relationship with God
Symbol vs. sign
Action vs. thing
Catholic vs. particular
Rituals
Anthropocentric and theocentric
Means and meaningful
Encounter
Natural and human
Traditional
RELATIONAL ACTIONS
Language of Encounter implies relationality
with God
with neighbor
with self
Encounter more than casual meeting
A SACRAMENT IS ANYTHING, ANYONE, OR ANY EVENT THAT BRINGS US INTO RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
Symbol vs. sign
Action vs. thing
Catholic vs. particular
Rituals
Anthropocentric and theocentric
Means and meaningful
Encounter
Natural and human
Traditional
Seven
SEVEN SIGNS
Baptism
Confirmation
Eucharist
Penance
Sacrament of the Sick
Marriage
Holy Orders
PLURIFORM REALITY
Trent - in face of Reformation
defined seven sacraments - "no more, no less"
Vatican II - in light of recent theological insights and general ecumenical openness
Christ is the Sacrament of God
The Church is the Sacrament of Christ
We are to become the Sacraments of the Church - extension of the Incarnation
S.A.C.R.A.M.E.N.T.S.