he Eucharist, the sacrament of sacraments, Baptism

 20. The Eucharist, the sacrament of sacraments, Baptism and Confirmation, sacraments of Christian initiation. The Eucharist: “source and culmen” of the faith and life of the Church and the unity of Christian Initiation.

 

Introduction: Introduction: Sacraments are the expression of God’s love for humankind and at the same time our faith relationship to God in the Church. Sacrament confers God’s loving and redeeming grace. These are the efficacious signs instituted by Christ to communicate God’s grace for us. The sacraments are perceptible signs (words and actions) accessible to our human nature. By the action of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, these sacraments make present efficaciously the grace that they signify. The three sacraments are sacrament of initiation which are  Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist closely combine to bring us, the faithful of Christ, to his full stature and to enable us to carry out the mission of the entire people of God in the Church and in the world.

 

Eucharist: The word ‘Eucharist’ is derived from Latin word ‘Eucharistia’ means thanksgiving.  The Eucharist is the ‘Sacrament of Sacraments,’ the source and summit of Christian life. It is a memorial and sacrament of Christ’s sacrifice in which we can join in offering ourselves to God the Father.“Through him, with him and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit.” In this sacrament, Christ is really present as the bread of life and the cup of eternal salvation nourishing us on our pilgrim journey. The Eucharist completes the Christian Initiation, in the Eucharist; Christ is truly present among us, especially through the change of the bread and wine into Christ's body and blood. By sharing in the body and blood, we are united more deeply with Christ and become his presence in the world.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church "At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet 'in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.'" (C.C.C-1323)

 

Significance of Eucharist: In the Eucharist the kingdom of God is represent under the image of a festive banquet. It is an occasion for an expression of forgiveness and reconciliation, solidarity that comes through sacrifice, sharing and service. The ‘breaking of bread’ essentially signifies sharing. It also incorporates the aspect of self-sacrifice, giving, dying, sharing and serving. Sacrifice, sharing and service these three dimensions of Eucharist find this deeper meaning by reflecting on Jesus life. So by the Eucharist Jesus build the new covenant between God and men has been sealed by the Mystery of Christ’s death and glorification.

Eucharist as Sacrifice: St. Augustine described sacrifice in its broadest sense as “every work which is done that we may be united to God in holy fellowship” (city of God). The word is more accurately used to describe certain acts of divine worship prescribed by the Jewish and Christian Laws. In this context, a sacrifice may be defined as an external and social, or group, offering of some acceptable gift made to God alone by the authorized representative of the community for four purposes, namely, to adore Him, to thank him, to ask his help, and to make amends for sin. This sacrifice contains both an external and an internal element.

 

 

Along with this positive meaning, the Old Testament and the New Testament have given a more perfect explanation. “In the old Testament the ritual sacrifice of animals was a sign of the alliance made between God and Israelites. In the New Testament sacrifice reaches a new perfection through Christ who, by his death on the cross, completes the final alliance between God and man. Since he is the incarnate son of God, his sacrifice is the perfect act of worship. The Eucharistic sacrifice is similarly, the perfect act of

Worship man can offer God.”

Four important signs of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist are
- The People
- The Priest
- Scripture
-Especially the consecrated Bread and Wine

 

 

Baptism Sacrament

 

Baptism incorporates us into Christ and forms us into God’s people. This first sacrament pardons all our sins, rescues us from the power of darkness, and brings us to the dignity of adopted children, a new creation through water and the Holy Spirit. Hence we are called  and are indeed the children of God.  Through Baptism, the Holy Spirit frees us from sin and join us with Christ. We become part of Christ’s Body, and Sharing in His divinity and destined for eternal life. In the words of St. Paul, "We were buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so too may we live a new life." (Romans 6:4).

 

What happened during the Sacrament Baptism

 

At Baptism God comes to live in us in a special way, bringing us love, holiness and true human freedom. When parents approach a priest to request baptism for their child, he will often invite them to join a brief preparation course for parents. This will help parents understand better the meaning of Baptism and especially the importance of their role in handing on the faith to their child. The actual Baptism ceremony is often part of a parish Mass. Sometimes it is celebrated in a separate ceremony. 

The different symbols used in the Baptism Sacrament

 

Sign of the Cross: This is a sign that the Christian community has claimed the child for Christ.
Baptismal Water: Through this essential sign Te Wairua Tapu brings death to sin and new life in Christ.
The Oil of Chrism: Anointing with this is a sign that the child now lives as a member of Christ’s body, sharing everlasting life.
White Garment: This is worn as a sign of Christian dignity and shows that the child has ‘put on Christ’.
The Lighted Candle: Lit from the Easter candle this is a sign that the child carries the light of Karaiti.

 

The different actions used in the Baptism Sacrament

Reception: The priest welcomes the baby, its family and Godparents. He asks the parents some questions to make sure that they understand the purpose of Baptism and what their responsibilities are. The priest, parents and Godparents trace the sign of the cross on the child’s forehead to show that the Christian community is claiming the child for Karaiti.
Celebration of God’s Word: The Scripture are read and the priest explains the readings. After the Prayer of the Faithful, the saints are called upon to pray for the child.
Prayer of Exorcism and Anointing Before Baptism:  The priest prays that Te Atua will free the child about to baptised from the spirit of evil and the slavery of sin. He then anoints the child on the chest with the oil of catechumens.
Blessing of the Baptismal Water: The priest blesses the water that will be used to baptise the children. We ask you, Father, with your Son to send the Holy Spirit upon the water of this font. May all who are buried with Christ in the death of baptism rise also with him to newness of life.
Profession of Faith: The parents and godparents reject sin and renew their own Baptismal promises.
Baptism: The priest performs the Baptism by immersing the child or by pouring water upon its head three times while saying: I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Anointing with Chrism: The priest anoints the child on the head with the sacred oil of chrism. As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet and king, so may you live always as a member of his body, sharing everlasting.
Clothing with White Garment: The child is clothed in a white garment. See in this white garment the outward sign of your Christian dignity. With your family and friends to help you by word and example, bring the dignity unstained into the everlasting life of heaven.
The Lighted Candle: The child’s candle is lit from the Easter candle: Receive the light of Christ. Parents and Godparents, this light is to be entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly. This child of yours has been enlightened by Christ. He/she is to walk always as a child of the light.
The Prayers over the Ears and Mouth: The priest touches the ears and mouth of the child with his thumb. This is to ‘open’ them so that they may receive God’s word and proclaim his faith.
Lord’s Prayer: All say the Our Father together.
Blessing: The Rite of Baptism finishes with a blessing.

 

Confirmation Sacrament

 

By signing us with the gift of the Spirit, confirmation makes us more completely the image of the Lord and fills us with the Holy Spirit, so that we may bear witness to him before all the world and work to bring the Body of Christ to its fullness as soon as possible.  The Sacrament of Confirmation seals us with the sign of the Spirit and completes the grace of Baptism. Confirmation is our own Pentecost. At Confirmation we are filled and strengthened by the Holy Spirit. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit – Wisdom, understanding, Right judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence, and the wonder and awe in the presence of God, give us manna (spiritual power) to become better Christians.

What happened during the Confirmation Sacrament

I. Those who wish to be confirmed are brought forward to the Bishop.

II. The Bishop explains the readings and leads those present to a deeper understanding of the mystery of Confirmation.

III. The Bishop invites the candidates to affirm their faith by asking them a series of questions to which they reply, “I do.”

IV. The Bishop extends his hands over the candidates and prays for the sending of the Holy Spirit: “Send your Holy Spirit upon them to be their helper and guide.”

V. The Bishop makes the sign of the cross on the candidate’s forehead with the oil of chrism saying: “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” While he does this, the sponsor stands beside the candidates shoulder.

VI. The gathered community prays for the newly confirmed and the needs of the Church.

Some symbols and actions of Confirmation Sacrament

The two essential signs in Confirmation are the laying on of hands and the anointing with the oil of chrism along with the words: “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

The Eucharist: Unity of the Sacrament of Initiation.

Come together in a common faith and in Jesus Christ. St. Ignatius of Antioch says, breaking one bread which is the medicine of immortality. ” St. John Chrysostom says, “this is the unity of faith: when we are one; when everyone acknowledges the bond which unites us. Admittance into the unity of the Sacred Eucharist presupposes unity in the faith received at Baptism, because in the Sacrament we enter into communion with the one whom, according to our faith in him, we believe to be consubstantial with the Father. How would it be possible to receive Christ in communion with a person who has a different faith in him? We would be guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord (cf. 1 Cor 11:27). The Church, as a mother, has anguish and love for non-believers, catechumens and those far from the faith but she does not have the power to give communion to the non-baptized, nor to those teaching error nor to persons living an immoral life.

 

In receiving the one bread, we enter into one life and we become one Body of the Lord. The effect of the Eucharist is to join Christians who were once scattered into the unity of the one bread and the one cup. Consequently, communion can be received only in union with the whole Church, after overcoming any separation because of religion or morality.

The Eucharist: source and Summit of Christian faith and life (Vatican Council II)

The Eucharistic foundation of the Second Vatican Council, relating this Most Holy Sacrament to the Church's three-fold mission of proclaiming the Gospel, sanctifying the faithful, and governing the order and the discipline of the Church. For through the Eucharist the ministry of the priesthood through which we are sanctified, the hierarchy of the Church through which we are governed, and the missionary action of the Church through which the Gospel is preached, are brought together in order to perfect the Church. In short, the Second Vatican Council summarizes the effects of the Holy Eucharist as the source and summit of the Catholic spiritual life. In such a light, the Church's missionary zeal is nothing more than an attempt to bring the non-Catholic into the Catholic Church, so that they may share in this Eucharist faith and draw strength from Our Lord's Real Presence.

 

I. THE EUCHARIST - SOURCE AND SUMMIT OF ECCLESIAL LIFE (Catechism of the Catholic Church)

The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life."¹³⁶ "The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch." (C.C.C-1324)

"The Eucharist is the efficacious sign and sublime cause of that communion in the divine life and that unity of the People of God by which the Church is kept in being. It is the culmination both of God's action sanctifying the world in Christ and of the worship men offer to Christ and through him to the Father in the Holy Spirit." (C.C.C-1325)

Finally, by the Eucharistic celebration we already unite ourselves with the heavenly liturgy and anticipate eternal life, when God will be all in all. (C.C.C1326^).

In brief, the Eucharist is the sum and summary of our faith: "Our way of thinking is attuned to the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in turn confirms our way of thinking."(C.C.C 1327)

Conclusion: The Christian whole life is the sacramental life in Christ. Sacraments as the outward officious signs gives the inward abundant grace of God to the Christ believers. So as a Christian, it is very essential to the Sacraments which we have in our Roman Catholic Church. Sacramental Theology is that study which gives us deep insights and profound knowledge about Sacraments.  It does not gives us only knowledge about sacraments rather it increases our faith and we become true followers of Christ as Sacraments brings in our lives an abundant grace of God.