Unit 8: Sacramental Life in Christ

Section 1: The Sacramental Imagination

The Sacramental Imagination Grace –God’s communication to the world and its people This often comes in the form of a physical object or symbol –This physical object or symbol is called either a Sacrament or a Sacramental

The Sacramental Imagination Sacrament –Symbols used in God-human communication –A physical object that communicates God’s gift of Self and love to us and God’s desire to form an intimate relationship with each person in the world Sacramental –Any object in the physical world that communicates to us God’s great love for us or allows people to respond to God’s initiative to form a relationship –A symbol that points to (communicates/reveals) God’s presence in the world and makes that presence actual in our experience –Ex. – cross, rosary beads, holy water

The Sacramental Imagination Grace –God’s communication to the world and its people occurs in history In all of history and in all human experience from the creation of the world to the present day In the people, events, and stories contained in the Old Testament In the Person of Jesus

The Sacramental Imagination What graces does God communicate to the world through the people, events, and stories contained in the stories of the Old Testament? –The Exodus Story The story of the journey from slavery to freedom –The Creation Stories The stories of human sinfulness which is followed by punishment by God, but which ultimately leads to grace from God –The Abraham Story The story of God’s call to a covenant relationship of faith –The David Story The story of how God calls all people to be humble servant leaders –The Prophetic Stories The story of how God calls all people to be brave and courageous prophets

The Sacramental Imagination What graces does God communicate to the world through the stories of Jesus contained in the Gospels of the New Testament? –It depends, what are the stories that Christians most often “re-member” about Jesus during their most important rituals?

The Sacramental Imagination A people are defined by the stories that they “re-member” around the sacred fire on the darkest nights of the year. –What is the darkest night of the year? What stories do Christians “re-member” on the darkest night of the year? –When do Christians gather around a sacred fire? What stories do Christians “re-member” when they gather around the sacred fire?

The Sacramental Imagination The Feast of Christmas (December 25) –Celebrates God entering into the world in a very real way in the divine person of Jesus Christians call this the mystery of the Incarnation Recall Isaiah 7: The Sign of Immanuel –“The virgin/maiden shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel (“God with us”).” –So important that we celebrate this feast for 12 days (until the celebration of the Epiphany on January 6) Recall the popular Christmas carol The Twelve Days of Christmas

The Sacramental Imagination The Easter Vigil (during the Spring) –Celebrates God, in the person of Jesus, rising to new life three days after being crucified to death Christians call this the Resurrection –So important that we celebrate this feast for 50 days Recall that the Easter Season lasts through the celebration of the Ascension until Pentecost Sunday

The Sacramental Imagination All Christians are called to view the world with a Sacramental Imagination –To imagine (see or view) the world as God intended or as God created it From the Scripture, we know that this is a place that is good, holy, sacred, great –To imagine the world as filled with God’s presence From the Scriptures, we know that we must recognize God’s love and grace in all people, things, places, and experiences

The Sacramental Imagination