Sacramental signs: Living proof of grace My father’s words were powerful. Sometimes they were kind, sometimes forceful, sometimes very funny. But they were always clear. “Company is coming. Mom will want to show them the house.” My room got cleaned. “The grass is getting pretty high.” It was mowed by the end of the day. “Don’t ever do that again.” I didn’t (not anytime soon, at least). “I need you in the grocery store on Saturday.” I was there, apron on, 10 minutes ahead of time. The words were clear. The response was quick, appropriate, and equally clear. How the church prays The sacraments are also pretty clear to faithful people. The sacramental matter (ritual action) and form (ritual words) clearly delineate what both the church and Christ are up to in the lives of believers. During the Vigil on the holy night of Easter, after processing from light (the new fire) to Light (the Illumined One), after savoring again the great stories of faith proclaimed for our hearing (the Liturgy of the Word) and salvation (by the living Word), we bless water: Father, you give us grace through sacramental signs, which tell us of the wonders of your unseen power (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults 222). What follow this blessing of water are the professing of faith, renouncing of sin, washing in the saving waters of baptism, and clothing in the garment of Christ. Then confirmation. Then holy Eucharist. What the church believes by praying What the church proclaims about baptism on that holy night of Easter is what it believes about every sacrament. Here is the short list. Grace: It is gift, it is unearned, and it is from God. We also know from our broader Tradition that “grace” is another way to say “God’s life within.” That presence of God and Christ is proclaimed in other ways: Emmanuel (God-with-us), incarnation (God taking on our flesh, born like us in all things but sin), as well as sanctifying, sacramental, and actual grace. Sacramental signs: They are efficacious and deliver what they promise. We also know from our broader Tradition that all “sacraments” entrusted to the church begin in Christ and fulfill what is promised because of his action. They are sacraments of faith because they not only presuppose faith but also nourish, strengthen, and express it (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy 59). Unseen power: It points to something bigger than any of us and all of us. This is “mystery” rooted in the dead but risen Jesus Christ the Lord. The church even counts the ways that Christ is present in his church, especially in the celebration of liturgy — in Mass, in the minister, in the eucharistic elements, in the sacraments, in his word, and in the praying and singing church (CSL 7). What the church learns by believing Everything spoken calls for response. Everything proclaimed in the word and work of sacred ritual calls for response. Everything proclaimed by the spoken and living Word who is Christ calls for faithful response. The church blesses things so that holy people are blessed. Water: to be new in Christ Oil: to be strengthened Bread and wine: to be Body and Blood, to be Christ Sacramental signs indeed flood us with grace. These visible sacramental words and actions help us glimpse what is unseen — who is unseen but ever present, ever active in our lives. May our responses be quick, appropriate, and clear. Resources for further study The Catechism of the Catholic Church begins the section on the church’s sacraments with this truth: “The whole liturgical life of the Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments” (1113). It then provides a summary of sacramental theology and the seven sacraments (1113–1134) and the distinctive nature of each (1210–1666). See also the definition of “sacrament” in the glossary. Father Lawrence Mick has revised his Understanding Sacraments Today (Liturgical Press, 2006). In the preface, he lays out eight basic principles for understanding all sacraments, beginning with “sacraments are human activities” and ending with “sacraments form us for mission.” These principles expand on the grace-sign-power of which the blessing of water before baptism sings. ML Eliot Kapitan oversees liturgy and the catechumenate for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois as director in the Office for Worship. Kapitan teaches, writes, and is a workshop presenter on liturgy, catechumenal ministry, and adult learning. He brings to this work both parish and diocesan experience. SUBSCRIBE NOW! What do YOU Think? Send an e-mail to ML Editor or post an entry on the ML Current Issue Discussion Board. (All submissions become the property of RPI and may be edited for length.)