My dear Parishioners,
Peace! The sacraments in general are treated by the Catechism of the Catholic Church in at least seven (7) passages. The following is a reflection on article 1212.
Each of the seven (7) sacraments are treated individually in the Catechism. The sacraments are also treated in groupings, such as Sacraments of Healing (Penance, Anointing), and Sacraments of Service (Holy Marriage, Holy Orders), and the Sacraments of Christian Initiation. The Sacraments of Christian Initiation are Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Without the three (3) Sacraments of Christian Initiation we are not fully initiated or incorporated into Christ’s mystical body, Mother Church. By Baptism we are freed from Original Sin, made adopted children of our Heavenly Father and brothers and sisters to Christ and each other. Let us pray for the restoration of full communion for those who are not yet with or under the successor of Saint Peter. A further outpouring of the Holy Spirit comes upon us in Confirmation. By the regular and worthy reception of Holy Communion our full membership in Christ’s one only Church is completed.
The Sacraments of Christian Initiation are the foundation of the entire Christian life. Christ calls us to serve one another and His Gospel throughout our lives. To fulfill this task we rely upon the graces we receive through the sacraments. Before entering into Holy Marriage as a husband or wife or into Holy Orders as a deacon, priest or bishop the graces proper to Baptism and Confirmation and Eucharist are required. The widowed and those who never marry serve the Lord similarly, thanks to the foundational graces they receive in Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
The Sacraments of Christian Initiation allow us to participate in the divine nature. While Jesus Christ is the Eternal Son of the Eternal Father, we are adopted children of God thanks to holy Baptism. The Sacraments of Initiation give us a share in the richness of the divine life. This is the power of God’s grace at work in us.
The three (3) Sacraments of Initiation are compared, analogously, with natural life. What birth is to us naturally speaking so is Baptism supernaturally, when we are ‘born again’ ‘of water and the Spirit’ (cf. John 3:5). Physical exercise strengthens our muscles, Confirmation fortifies our spiritual strength. We naturally need food to strengthen our bodily life, the Sunday (or daily) Eucharist strengthens us spiritually. The major celebrations surrounding someone’s First Holy Communion ought not overshadow the last Holy Communion which has a beautiful name reflecting the richness of the sacrament, Viaticum (food for the journey/way).
The Sacraments of Initiation help us to advance towards the perfection of Charity. God is Love (1 John 4:7). When we are washed in the saving waters God comes to dwell in us by grace. When we are anointed with Sacred Chrism in Confirmation the power of the Holy Spirit is given us. When we receive the Lord in Holy Communion we become living tabernacles.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr