1. MEETING JESUS IN THE SACRAMENTS
CHAPTER 1
THE CHURCH AND THE SACRAMENTAL ECONOMY OF SALVATION

2. The Incarnation
Incarnation: God becoming man; entering human history; becoming flesh in the person of Jesus Christ
TO UNDERSTAND THE SACRAMENTS AS “VISIBLE SIGNS OF INVISIBLE GRACE” WE MUST MAKE THE INVISIBLE VISIBLE!

3. Jesus is the Sacrament of God
The sacraments and the liturgy are the system Christ uses to make himself present on earth Liturgy, or “public work” The sacraments help satisfy our deep longing for communion with Christ!

4. Christ: the Prime Sacrament
How can Jesus be fully human and fully divine at the same time?
This mystery is known as the hypostatic union: in Jesus Christ there are two natures, one human and one divine
JESUS IS A SACRAMENT BECAUSE HE IS THE MOST PERFECT, MOST COMPLETE, VISIBLE SIGN OF THE FATHER’S PRESENCE: THE PRIMORDIAL SACRAMENT!

5. Jesus, an Efficacious Sign
JESUS IS NOT ONLY A SIGN OF GOD’S LOVE; HE EFFECTS THAT LOVE AND MAKES IT PRESENT.
JESUS IS THE REASON FOR, THE BASIS OF, ALL SEVEN SACRAMENTS.

6. The Church, the Universal Sacrament of Salvation
The saving work of Christ’s entire life is the sacrament of salvation. In the Church, Jesus continues to live and work among us: the Church makes Christ present in today’s world!

7. The Church as Mystery
The Church is something we cannot fully explain or understand
Writers speak about the Church symbolically:
Sheepfold
Flock of sheep
Cultivated field or vineyard
Building of God
Bride of Christ
Mother
New Jerusalem

8. The Church as Visible Sign
As the visible sign of Jesus Christ, who is the perfect sign of the Father’s saving love, the Church has four distinguishing characteristics, or marks:
ONENESS
HOLINESS
CATHOLICITY
APOSTOLICITY

9. The Church as Efficacious Sign
The Church is the Mystical Body of Christ, continuing to bring God’s saving love to people throughout the world
The Church is both means and goal of God’s plan to bring salvation to the world

10. The Mission of the Church, the Body of Christ
Origin of this image come from St. Paul:
As members of the Body of Christ, we are united not only to Christ but also to one another

11. Communion with Christ and the Church
Communion with Christ is the Church’s main purpose for existing—that “each person may be able to find Christ, in order that Christ may walk with each person the path of life”
WHATEVER WE DO AS CATHOLICS, WE ACT AS THE BODY OF CHRIST, AS CHRIST HIMSELF IN TODAY’S WORLD

12. Communion with Other Catholics
We try to welcome everyone—even those we may not like
We realize that every person has something positive to add to the Church

13. Communion with People Throughout the World
The mark of catholicity refers to our relationship with other members of the Church, with other Christians, and with all of humankind
The Church has a missionary mandate to proclaim the Gospel to all peoples
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations”

14. Human Solidarity
“The virtue of social charity, friendship, and responsible sharing whereby we recognize our interdependence on others and that we are all brothers and sisters of one family under a loving Father”

15. Everyone is the Church shares a communion in spiritual goods
Communion of Saints
There is a communion of all holy people—between the Church of Heaven and the Church of earth
Everyone is the Church shares a communion in spiritual goods
“the communion of saints is the Church”

16. The Church, the Channel of Grace
The Church has the power to transform us
The Church affects the inner union of people with God
The Church is also a sign and an instrument of the unity

17. On the basis of our Baptism, we are to act as Christ:
Our Mission as Priests
On the basis of our Baptism, we are to act as Christ:
SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES
PERSONAL HOLINESS
HELPING OTHERS GROW IN HOLINESS

18. Our Mission as Prophets
We share in the prophetic mission of Christ whenever we give witness to him through our words, actions, or example
We also act as prophets whenever we encourage others in the Church to persevere in faith

19. Our Royal Mission
Christ offered us the gift of “royal freedom” so that we might overcome our own sinfulness and encourage the world to do the same
True royalty does not seek to be served, but rather seeks to serve others

20. John Paul the Great
“What else are the sacraments (all of them!), if not the action of Christ in the Holy Spirit?” First Polish pope, whose reign was the third longest in history