May 2012

Dear Friends:

With our celebrations of Confirmation and First Holy Communion this spring, we are reminded of the beauty of the sacraments. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that “Sacraments are ‘powers that comes forth’ from the Body of Christ, which is ever-living and life-giving. They are actions of the Holy Spirit at work in his Body, the Church. They are "the masterworks of God" in the new and everlasting covenant.”¹

Much has been written about the sacraments, their meaning, their sacred role and how they bring Christ to our lives. We could spend a lifetime studying their complexity. But we don’t have to know all the details to appreciate their meaning. The Bible is filled with mentions of them. And sometimes it’s nice just to remember some of the stories that relate to the sacraments. Here are a few you may want to take another look at.

Baptism—John the Baptist Baptizes Jesus

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?’ Jesus said to him in reply, ‘Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’” —Matthew 3: 13–17

Eucharist—The Last Supper

“Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.’ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.’” —Luke 22: 19–20

Reconciliation—The Prodigal Son

“His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began.” —Luke 15: 21–24

Confirmation—Letter to the Hebrews Tells Us To Grow in Christ

“Therefore, let us leave behind the basic teaching about Christ and advance to maturity, without laying the foundation all over again: repentance from dead works and faith in God, instruction about baptisms and laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. And we shall do this, if only God permits.”—Hebrews 6: 1–3

Marriage—Jesus Speaks to the Pharisees About Marriage

“But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother [and be joined to his wife], and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh.” Mark 10: 6–8

Holy Orders—Jesus Ordains Peter as the First Pope

And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” —Matthew 16: 18–19

Anointing of the Sick—The Apostles Anoint the Sick

He [Jesus] summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. —Mark 6:13

If you would like access to the Bible online, go to the Conference of Catholic Bishops website: http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/.

¹Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Two: The Celebration of The Christian Mystery, Section One The Sacramental Economy, Chapter One The Paschal Mystery in The Age Of The Church, Article 2 The Paschal Mystery In The Church's Sacraments, The Sacraments of Christ, 1116. http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P30.HTM

May you have a glorious Easter.