Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 31st Sunday of Ordinary time.
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 733.
In Sacred Scripture, the Hebrew words mattanah and minhah and the Greek words doron and dorea are translated, roughly as gift, present, or offering.
Because sacraments are signs, instituted by Christ, entrusted to the Church to give grace, it is important for us to consider the “gift of God” aspect (cf. John 4:10; Romans 5:15; Ephesians 2:8; 3:7). At Christmas time we all recall the gift of the Eternal Son born of Mary in the fullness of time in Bethlehem (cf. Matthew 2:1-; Luke 2:4-; Galatians 4:4). The Magi brought the richly symbolic gifts of Gold (for His Kingship), Frankincense (for His Deity), and myrrh (for His sacrificial Passion) to the Child Jesus (cf. Matthew 2:11; John 12: 3–8; Revelation 8:3–4; Genesis 37:25; Exodus 30:8, 20). At Easter time we are all able to recall the gift of the redemption (cf. Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; Ephesians 1:7). At Pentecost we recall the gift of the Spirit (cf. Luke 4:18; Acts 2:1; Isaiah 11:2–3). When reading Genesis we can recall the gift of creation (cf. Genesis 1:1–31). When considering Holy Marriage and the Theology of the Body, Blessed John Paul II turned our attention to the ‘gift of self’ made by husband and wife (e.g. TOB 13–15, 17, 22, 31–32…).
When considering the gift aspect of the sacraments it concerns several facets: the sacraments are given, grace(s) are given, these presuppose the gift of faith and the gift of redemption. There is nothing we can do to earn, deserve or buy any of these (cf. Acts 8:20). Our generous God, in whose image we are made, has given us not only being and life, but offers these other gifts as well.
When God gives us grace through the sacraments He gives Himself, His power and presence. We who are made in the image of God are made to love one another because ‘God is Love’ (John 4:8, 16). It was in love that God created the heavens and the Earth and all that is therein, sharing the gift of existence. Lovers happily give of themselves to each other. God, in Christ, gave Himself up for us, laying down His life for us on the Cross of Calvary (cf. John 15:13).
The age of the Church is said to be the age of the Spirit who is as if the soul of the Church. In giving an outpouring of the Creator Spirit as part of the grace(s) of the sacraments God fills our hearts by His self communication (cf. Romans 5:5). Let us recommit ourselves to gratitude for gifts received from God and through Mother Church. Let us also recommit ourselves to sharing the gifts we have received with others so that they too might be blessed with faith, grace and redemption.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr