Day 153: Sacraments Save

The Church affirms that for believers the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation. "Sacramental grace" is the grace of the Holy Spirit, given by Christ and proper to each sacrament. the Spirit heals and transforms those who receive him by conforming them to the Son of God. The fruit of the sacramental life is that the Spirit of adoption makes the faithful partakers in the divine nature by uniting them in a living union with the only Son, the Savior. CCC 1129

Today's reading from the Catechism is the shortest I've seen thus far: only 3 small paragraphs. This brief reading expounds upon the truth that the sacraments save us. The Catechism Compendium gives a summary:

The sacraments are efficacious ex opere operato (“by the very fact that the sacramental action is performed”) because it is Christ who acts in the sacraments and communicates the grace they signify. The efficacy of the sacraments does not depend upon the personal holiness of the minister. However, the fruits of the sacraments do depend on the dispositions of the one who receives them. (#229)

I like how the Catechism Companion, Vol II notes this about the sacraments:

Sacraments are "efficacious," not just symbols (CCC 1127). A sacrament is a sacred sign that causes what it symbolizes... We now are sharers in the life of God. If you have been baptized, you share in the very nature of God. (p. 70)

The Companion then mentions three sacraments: Baptism, Reconciliation, and the Eucharist, stating that each is a sacred sign and actually does what it was intended for. In the last, we really do receive the Body and Blood of Christ. This alone should give us pause when we're tempted to sin, as well as humble us at the gift He has made for us. We really do become "partakers of the divine nature" as He desired us to (2 Pet 1:4).

Day 152: Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi

"The purpose of the sacraments is to sanctify men, to build up the Body of Christ, and, finally, to give worship to God. Because they are signs, they also instruct. They not only presuppose faith, but by words and objects, they also nourish, strengthen, and express it. That is why they are called 'sacraments of faith."' CCC 1123

Today's reading is another short one in the Catechism, again only five short paragraphs. For the liturgy in the Church, the axiom of lex orandi, lex credendi (the law of praying, the law of believing) applies. Essentially, the teaching and belief of the Church (lex credendi) is made manifest in her liturgy and prayer (lex orandi). See the 2009 educational resource Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi from the USCCB for more. The Catechism Compendium summarizes today's reading as follows:

The sacraments not only presuppose faith but with words and ritual elements they nourish, strengthen, and express it. By celebrating the sacraments, the Church professes the faith that comes from the apostles. This explains the origin of the ancient saying, “lex orandi, lex credendi,” that is, the Church believes as she prays. (#228)

If the sacraments are not mere "ordinances" or empty rituals, as some believe, and they aren't given that they were instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ, it follows that the liturgy of the Church is of considerable significance to us - most especially for the Eucharist. The Catechism Companion, Vol II notes:

They [the sacraments] exist to make us holy; through them, the Church is strengthened and God is worshipped. This is what the sacraments are for and what they do... In the Great Commission, Jesus connects the call to evangelize with the call to baptize. Evangelizing involves offering the sacraments. At every Mass, God is glorified for the good of all the Church... Whether we feel it or not, any time we use the gifts of our Father, he is glorified.  (p. 68) 

The importance of the liturgy is so great, that the Catechism itself notes that it may not be  "modified or manipulated at the will of the minister or the community." Even the Pope "may not change the liturgy arbitrarily" (CCC 1125).

2002 edition of the Missale Romanum

In the Church's liturgy, especially in the sacramental mysteries, the Church acknowledges the apostolic faith and calls us to embrace it with love (CCC 1124). (p. 69)

 

Day 151: The Seven Sacraments

Jesus' words and actions during his hidden life and public ministry were already salvific, for they anticipated the power of his Paschal mystery. They announced and prepared what he was going to give the Church when all was accomplished. the mysteries of Christ's life are the foundations of what he would henceforth dispense in the sacraments through the ministers of his Church, for "what was visible in our Savior has passed over into his mysteries." CCC 1115

In today's reading, the Catechism teaches that "the whole liturgical life of the Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments" in a sort of introduction (CCC 1113). The Catechism Compendium summarizes this:

The sacraments, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, are efficacious signs of grace perceptible to the senses. Through them, divine life is bestowed upon us. There are seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. (#224)

It's fitting that the number of sacraments is seven, as in Scripture, that number signifies completion since they present Christ to us throughout our lives. This is most especially seen in the Eucharist. As the Catechism Companion, Vol II notes:

When we participate in the sacraments, we are not just remembering. The sacraments "are actions of the Holy Spirit at work in his Body, the Church (CCC 1116)... The ordained priesthood guarantees that it really is Christ who acts in the sacraments through the Holy Spirit for the Church (CCC 1120)... The seven sacraments manifest the love of God for man. (pp. 66-67) 

Finally, three of these sacraments leave a permanent mark upon our souls on reception, which is why they can only be received once. The Compendium notes:

It is a spiritual “seal” bestowed by the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders. It is a promise and guarantee of divine protection. By virtue of this seal the Christian is configured to Christ, participates in a variety of ways in his priesthood, and takes his part in the Church according to different states and functions. He is, therefore, set apart for divine worship and the service of the Church. Because this character is indelible the sacraments that impress it on the soul are received only once in life. (#227)

Day 150: The Epiclesis

The Epiclesis ("invocation upon") is the intercession in which the priest begs the Father to send the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, so that the offerings may become the body and blood of Christ and that the faithful by receiving them, may themselves become a living offering to God. Together with the anamnesis, the epiclesis is at the heart of each sacramental celebration, most especially of the Eucharist. CCC 1105-1106

In today's reading, the Catechism discusses the epiclesis in the liturgy and gives an "In Brief" to review what has been covered over the past few days. It has already been discussed how in the liturgy the Holy Spirit "make[s] the saving work of Christ present and active by his transforming power" (CCC 1112). In the epiclesis with the priest's prayers, the Holy Spirit transforms "the bread and wine into the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ" (p. 64). 

This change in the elements by the power of the Holy Spirit is not only to spiritually feed us Christ but to make us more like Him. In essence, change us from within. As the Catechism Companion, Vol II notes:

The Church prays that the Holy Spirit change our hearts to be like Christ, guide us to preserve the oneness of the Church, and help us to act with charity. (p. 64)

The Catechism itself puts it this way:

In every liturgical action the Holy Spirit is sent in order to bring us into communion with Christ and so to form his Body... The epiclesis is also a prayer for the full effect of the assembly's communion with the mystery of Christ. "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit"28 have to remain with us always and bear fruit beyond the Eucharistic celebration. (CCC 1108-1109)

Amen.

Finally, because "the Eucharist can be the most beautiful and daunting teaching we have," the Companion recommends this video in order to "dive deeper into this teaching" (p. 65): 

Day 149: The Holy Spirit Recalls Christ's Mystery

The Spirit and the Church cooperate to manifest Christ and his work of salvation in the liturgy. Primarily in the Eucharist, and by analogy in the other sacraments, the liturgy is the memorial of the mystery of salvation. The Holy Spirit is the Church's living memory. CCC 1099

Today's reading from the Catechism is short, only 5 small paragraphs. Nevertheless, these paragraphs are packed with insights that "in the Liturgy of the Word the Holy Spirit" makes present to us "all that Christ has done for us" (CCC 1103). In the liturgy, this is done in part through the incorporation of Scripture. As the Catechism Companion, Vol II notes:

The Holy Spirit is the one who inspired the Word of God. Sacred Scripture is not only proclaimed in the Mass but also explained in the Mass. Christ and his salvific work are made present by the Holy Spirit in the Church's liturgy. (p. 62)

I found this part on anamnesis to be interesting too:

The Scriptural concept of a memorial, described by the Greek word anamnesis, is a remembrance that is unique. It's not just remembering a past event but bringing it to the here and now... [it] brings past events into the present reality for the community. (p. 62)

This last part on anamnesis reminded me of what Dr. Brant Pitre has been teaching about the connections between the Mass and the Passover as well as what each means by "memorial". I suppose the Catechism will be going into this more later.

Day 148: The Holy Spirit's Work in the Liturgy

In the liturgy, the Holy Spirit is teacher of the faith of the People of God and artisan of "God's masterpieces," the sacraments of the New Covenant. the desire and work of the Spirit in the heart of the Church is that we may live from the life of the risen Christ. When the Spirit encounters in us the response of faith which he has aroused in us, he brings about genuine cooperation. Through it, the liturgy becomes the common work of the Holy Spirit and the Church. CCC 1091

In today's reading, the Catechism speaks of the work of the Holy Spirit and the Church in the liturgy. The Catechism summarizes the Church's teaching in this section:

The very closest cooperation is at work in the liturgy between the Holy Spirit and the Church. The Holy Spirit prepares the Church to encounter her Lord. He recalls and manifests Christ to the faith of the assembly. He makes the mystery of Christ really present. He unites the Church to the life and mission of Christ and makes the gift of communion bear fruit in the Church. (#223)

The Holy Spirit prepares us and through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, Christ is present for us. This does take cooperation from us, however, for God never forces us against our free will to respond to Him in love. The sacraments are no exception to this. We can reject Him or remain indifferent to Him. The Catechism Companion, Vol II notes:

The sacraments are not magic. They happen in cooperation with us. If we receive Holy Communion every single day but we do not cooperate and shape our wills to the Father's will, we will be unchanged. We are never meant to show up to the sacraments and leave the exact same way that we arrived; we are meant to be changed. (p. 60)

Another way to put this is that if we do not cooperate with the Holy Spirit and thereby remain unchanged in receiving the Eucharist, we risk eternal consequences. This recalls what St. Paul wrote that reception of the Eucharist "in an unworthy manner" makes one "guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord" and whoever does this "eats and drinks judgment upon himself" (1 Cor 11:27-30).

I really like how the Catechism speaks of how "the Holy Spirit fulfills what was prefigured in the Old Covenant" and the liturgy "has retained certain elements of the worship of the Old Covenant as integral and irreplaceable" (CCC 1093). The liturgy reveals a harmony between the Old and New Testaments, which unveils the mystery of Christ to us (CCC 1094). Everything is connected and nothing that came before fails to reveal to us through the Holy Spirit, the glory of Jesus Christ. The Companion notes:

Many things that we do in the liturgy have their roots in Scripture. The Christian liturgy is the fulfillment of everything that was laid down by the Law of Moses. The Jewish way of worship is fulfilled in Jesus. (p. 60)

Day 147: Christ's Work in the Liturgy

"In the earthly liturgy, we share in a foretaste of that heavenly liturgy which is celebrated in the Holy City of Jerusalem toward which we journey as pilgrims, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God, Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle. With all the warriors of the heavenly army we sing a hymn of glory to the Lord; venerating the memory of the saints, we hope for some part and fellowship with them; we eagerly await the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, until he, our life, shall appear and we too will appear with him in glory." CCC 1090

In today's reading, the Catechism speaks of Christ's work in the liturgy of His Church. As is quoted above, the Church's liturgy today gives us all "a foretaste of that heavenly liturgy which is celebrated in the Holy City of Jerusalem" and seen by the Apostle John in Revelation. Also, as in the heavenly liturgy, Christ is truly present in the Eucharistic sacrifice here on earth. The Catechism Compendium summarizes the Church's teaching in this section:

In the liturgy of the Church, it is his own paschal mystery that Christ signifies and makes present. By giving the Holy Spirit to his apostles he entrusted to them and their successors the power to make present the work of salvation through the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments, in which he himself acts to communicate his grace to the faithful of all times and places throughout the world. (#222)

Finally, the Catechism Companion, Vol II makes a good note on the sacraments and the effects of the liturgy at the Mass:

"Sacraments are perceptible signs (word and actions) accessible to our human nature. By the action of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit they make present efficaciously the grace that they signify" (CCC 1084)... In the liturgy, the Father is given glory and the People of God are made holy. Through the liturgy, we join Jesus Christ and the saints in glorifying the Lord and looking forward to his Second Coming. (p. 58)