THE PRINCIPLE OF SACRAMENTALITY 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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. 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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‘Heart of the Ocean’ necklace 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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. 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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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. 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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. 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
Sacramental Principle: Basis The Sacramental Principle is based on the need for the divine and the human to encounter and communicate one another. 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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. 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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. 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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. 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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. 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
What is the sacramental principle? The human reaches the Divine through the only finite instruments they have. 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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. 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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.” 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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. 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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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. 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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. 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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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. 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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. 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
3. The Seven Ritual Sacraments There is a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life. 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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. 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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. 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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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. 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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. 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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? 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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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. “ 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza
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) 4/16/2017 Evert Gementiza