1. THE PRINCIPLE OF SACRAMENTALITY
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2. Objectives At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to:
To understand the meaning of principle of sacramentality, and four levels of sacramentality
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3. Objectives
To imbibe and develop a sacramental perspective and spirituality, which is to be able to see, find, and love God in all things and all things in God.
To practice daily affirmation of God’s presence through love and compassion to the poor.
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5. ‘Heart of the Ocean’ necklace
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6. Signs and symbols Signs point to another visible reality.
Symbols are special signs which point beyond themselves to an unseen reality.
They share in the power of that which they point, and thus “make present” that reality.
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18. Instruments, signs and symbols
Symbols make us present to one another in human communication and make God present to us in the depth of religious symbolism.
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19. Sacramentality: Etymology
Derived originally from Greek mysterion = deep and secret purposes (mystery) of God’s work in the world through Jesus Christ
Later translated to Latin sacramentum = something sacred, or holy.
Sacramentality indicates that through the created universe, we enter into a close relationship with God; we experience the mystery of God’s presence.
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20. Sacramental Principle: Basis
The Sacramental Principle is based on the need for the divine and the human to encounter and communicate one another.
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21. Sacramental Principle: Basis
In principle, everything is capable of embodying and communicating the divine. There is no finite instrument which God cannot put to use.
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22. Sacramental Principle: Basis
Humans, on the other hand, have nothing else apart from the finite instruments to express their response to God’s self-communication.
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23. What is the sacramental principle?
The Sacramental Principle refers to the use of finite and human instruments, of visible signs and symbols, to make possible (real) God’s encounter and communication with humanity.
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24. What is the sacramental principle?
The Divine reaches the human through finite instrument which the human can experience and understand. The invisible spirit is “visibilized” through visible signs and symbols.
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25. What is the sacramental principle?
The human reaches the Divine through the only finite instruments they have.
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26. 4 Levels of Sacramentality
Jesus as the Primordial Sacrament
Church as the Fundamental Sacrament
Seven Ritual Sacraments
All else as Sacraments of God’s Presence
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27. 1. Christ the Incarnate Word as the Primordial Sacrament
As Primordial Sacrament, Christ as the Incarnate Word (Jn. 1:14 – “the Word became flesh”) is God Himself reaching and being present to the human.
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28. 1. Christ the Incarnate Word as the Primordial Sacrament
Some Scriptural Basis:
a. Jn. 14:7 – “If you really knew me, you would know my Father also. From this point on, you know him; you have seen him.”
b. 1 Tim 2:5 – “God is one. One is the mediator between God and men, the Christ Jesus.”
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29. 1. Christ the Incarnate Word as the Primordial Sacrament
In the Old Testament, God’s revelation was granted “inchoatively” (initially) to the Israelites through the prophets, In the New Testament, God’s revelation to humanity was perfected, made universally and definitive in Jesus Christ.
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31. 2. The Church as the Fundamental Sacrament
GOD’S PRESENCE:
The Church is the visible sign of God’s abiding presence in the world. In God’s universal plan of salvation (1 Tim 2:4), God willed the birth of the Church as His instrument in carrying out his plan of salvation and proclaiming the good news to all peoples.
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32. 2. The Church as the Fundamental Sacrament
2) HUMAN RESPONSE:
The Church is also the visible sign of a person’s union with Christ, who is mediator between God and man. The invisible reality of being united with Christ is made visible (manifest) in being part of the Body of Christ, the Church.
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34. 3. The Seven Ritual Sacraments
Each of the 7 sacraments is the personal saving act of the risen Christ Himself, realized in the visible form of an official act of the Church.
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35. 3. The Seven Ritual Sacraments
The seven [ritual] sacraments touch all the stages and important moments of Christian life, give birth and increase (initiation), healing, mission (service and communion) to the Christian's life, forming an organic whole with the Eucharist as unique.
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36. 3. The Seven Ritual Sacraments
There is a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life.
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37. 3. The Seven Ritual Sacraments
Parallel between the stages of our natural, physical/ social life and those of our Christian spiritual life:
Physical Birth/ Generation
Baptism (Spiritual Birth/ Regeneration)
Confirmation (Strengthened by the Holy Spirit)
Growth/Maturity
Physical Nourishment
Eucharist
Physical &
Psychological Healing
Reconciliation & Anointing
Community Realities of Family Life and Leadership
Matrimony and Holy Orders
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38. 4. All other things as Sacraments of God’s Presence
Since the reality of God is mirrored in the world, all human life, activity, events and history, as well as nonhuman life, constitute the arena wherein God’s presence may be discerned and experienced.
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39. 4. All other things as Sacraments of God’s Presence
God’s grace, the presence and activity of God and the transformation of life which this brings about, is at loose in the world.
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42. Personal Integration
There is a need to develop a spirituality of gratitude.
Before you go to sleep at night, make it a habit to review and thank God for all the gifts and blessings you received from Him during the whole day.
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43. Personal Integration
2) One of the best ways to affirm God’s presence today is to show our love and compassion to the poor and marginalized.
Example: Doing the corporal works of mercy.
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44. Assignment: Journal
Do I take time to pause, be aware of, and thankful for God’s presence and influence in my life? Why or why not?
What is one concrete thing I resolve to do which can help me be more aware of and grateful for God’s gift of love and presence in me, in others, and in our environment?
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45. END
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48. Tad Guzie on “What is a Sacrament?
"A sacrament is a festive action in which Christians assemble to celebrate their lived experience and to call to heart their common story. “
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49. Tad Guzie on “What is a Sacrament?
“The action is a symbol of God’s care for us. Enacting the symbol brings us closer to one another in the Church and to the Lord who is there for us"
(The Book of Sacramental Basics, Paulist Press, Mahwah, NJ, 1981, p. 53)
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