Wednesday, October 12, 2011

The Sacraments are pre-Judgment events



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Revelation 22:14

King James Version (KJV)

 14Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Folks,


In order to receive the Sacraments, one must be in a state of grace.  This is even true of Baptism.  


I keep harping on RCIA, but think about it.  We undergo RCIA (and catechism classes) to study and show ourselves approved (2 Tim 2:15).  Here are the steps below as listed in the Catechism.  Note how the completion of RCIA gives us admission to Baptism and Eucharist.


Christian Initiation
1229 From the time of the apostles, becoming a Christian has been accomplished by a journey and initiation in several stages. This journey can be covered rapidly or slowly, but certain essential elements will always have to be present: proclamation of the Word, acceptance of the Gospel entailing conversion, profession of faith, Baptism itself, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and admission to Eucharistic communion.
1230 This initiation has varied greatly through the centuries according to circumstances. In the first centuries of the Church, Christian initiation saw considerable development. A long period of catechumenate included a series of preparatory rites, which were liturgical landmarks along the path of catechumenal preparation and culminated in the celebration of the sacraments of Christian initiation.
1231 Where infant Baptism has become the form in which this sacrament is usually celebrated, it has become a single act encapsulating the preparatory stages of Christian initiation in a very abridged way. By its very nature infant Baptism requires a post-baptismal catechumenate. Not only is there a need for instruction after Baptism, but also for the necessary flowering of baptismal grace in personal growth. The catechismhas its proper place here.
1232 The second Vatican Council restored for the Latin Church "the catechumenate for adults, comprising several distinct steps."34 The rites for these stages are to be found in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).35 The Council also gives permission that: "In mission countries, in addition to what is furnished by the Christian tradition, those elements of initiation rites may be admitted which are already in use among some peoples insofar as they can be adapted to the Christian ritual."36
1233 Today in all the rites, Latin and Eastern, the Christian initiation of adults begins with their entry into the catechumenate and reaches its culmination in a single celebration of the three sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.37 In the Eastern rites the Christian initiation of infants also begins with Baptism followed immediately by Confirmation and the Eucharist, while in the Roman rite it is followed by years of catechesis before being completed later by Confirmation and the Eucharist, the summit of their Christian initiation.38


Now, compare that to the Rev 22:14 which I posted above.  Rev 22 is the very end of the Bible.  The only thing which is revealed next is the Judgment.  And the verse itself says that those who keep the Commandments will be Judged worthy to receive the Tree of Life, which is a euphemism for what?

It is a euphemism for the Eucharist.  It is a euphemism for Christ Himself.  And thus to enter the City which is euphemism for heaven itself.  Do you see the relationship between the Sacraments and the Judgment?!

John 6:54

King James Version (KJV)

 54Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

This is the case with every Sacrament.  Not just Baptism, not just Confirmation, not just Eucharist.  But also Confession:

1454 The reception of this sacrament ought to be prepared for by an examination of conscience made in the light of the Word of God. The passages best suited to this can be found in the Ten Commandments, the moral catechesis of the Gospels and the apostolic Letters, such as the Sermon on the Mount and the apostolic teachings.53


Anointing:



The sick person before God
1502 The man of the Old Testament lives his sickness in the presence of God. It is before God that he laments his illness, and it is of God, Master of life and death, that he implores healing.99 Illness becomes a way to conversion; God's forgiveness initiates the healing.100 It is the experience of Israel that illness is mysteriously linked to sin and evil, and that faithfulness to God according to his law restores life: "For I am the Lord, your healer."101 The prophet intuits that suffering can also have a redemptive meaning for the sins of others.102 Finally Isaiah announces that God will usher in a time for Zion when he will pardon every offense and heal every illness.103


Matrimony and Holy Orders:

THE SACRAMENTS AT THE SERVICE OF COMMUNION
1533 Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist are sacraments of Christian initiation. They ground the common vocation of all Christ's disciples, a vocation to holiness and to the mission of evangelizing the world. They confer the graces needed for the life according to the Spirit during this life as pilgrims on the march towards the homeland.
1534 Two other sacraments, Holy Orders and Matrimony, are directed towards the salvation of others; if they contribute as well to personal salvation, it is through service to others that they do so. They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the People of God.
1535 Through these sacraments those already consecrated by Baptism and Confirmation1 for the common priesthood of all the faithful can receive particular consecrations. Those who receive the sacrament of Holy Orders are consecrated in Christ's name "to feed the Church by the word and grace of God."2 On their part, "Christian spouses are fortified and, as it were, consecrated for the duties and dignity of their state by a special sacrament."3


Those who keep the Commandments receive the right to the Tree of Life, the right to partake of the Life of Christ.  It is they who enter onto Mt. Sion and dwell with the spirits of men made perfect, even in this life, before the final Judgment:

Hebrews 12:22-24

King James Version (KJV)

 22But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
 23To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
 24And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.


Sincerely,


De Maria

5 comments:

  1. Hi De Maria.

    Would you please give more explanation regarding anointing just from the bible verses, if you have time

    Secondly,is it the same chrisma and confirmation.I only know chrisma.

    Sincerely,Anna


    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi De Maria.

    Would you please give more explanation regarding anointing just from the bible verses, if you have time


    Sure. In Scripture, the word, "anointing" literally means to "rub with oil." But spiritually speaking, it means to "select", to "empower" or to "heal". In this verse, Aaron was anointed and therefore empowered to be God's priest:
    Exodus 29:6 And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the mitre. 7 Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him.

    Thus, God's elect are anointed by Him. The Messiah, for instance, is the Anointed One.

    Christ means anointed. Therefore, to say, Jesus Christ is to say, Jesus the Messiah or Jesus the Anointed of God.

    As far as I know, almost every Sacrament includes a rite of anointing with oil. The only ones that don't, as far as I'm aware, are Confession and Eucharist.

    The Sacrament wherein the action of anointing is the "efficacious sign" that signifies what it produces is the Sacrament of "Unction" or "Anointing of the Sick". "Unction" means to "pour out oil".

    Scripture says:
    James 5:14
    Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

    And also:
    Mark 6:13
    And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

    However, in Church history, Confirmation (or Chrismation) is also very closely associated with anointing.
    CCC 1289 Very early, the better to signify the gift of the Holy Spirit, an anointing with perfumed oil (chrism) was added to the laying on of hands. This anointing highlights the name "Christian," which means "anointed" and derives from that of Christ himself whom God "anointed with the Holy Spirit."100 This rite of anointing has continued ever since, in both East and West. For this reason the Eastern Churches call this sacrament Chrismation, anointing with chrism, or myron which means "chrism." In the West, the term Confirmation suggests that this sacrament both confirms and strengthens baptismal grace.

    Secondly,is it the same chrisma and confirmation. I only know chrisma.

    I think so. Confirmation and Chrismation are the same to Catholics and Orthodox. However, "chrism" means "anointing", so you might want to check with your Parish priest or someone locally to see if the word is being used in the same sense in your area.

    The Catholic Encyclopedia says that the "anointing of the sick" was once known as "chrisma".

    In previous ages the sacrament was known by a variety of names, e.g., the holy oil, or unction, of the sick; the unction or blessing of consecrated oil; the unction of God; the office of the unction; etc. In the Eastern Church the later technical name is euchelaion (i.e. prayer-oil); but other names have been and still are in use, e.g. elaion hagion (holy), or hegismenon (consecrated), elaion, elaiou Chrisis, chrisma, etc.
    (Second paragraph under the section titled name).

    Confirmation/Chrismation- the seal of the Holy Spirit confirming one in the faith of Jesus Christ.

    Unction/Anointing of the sick/Chrisma- The Sacrament of healing.

    I hope that is not too confusing.

    Sincerely,Anna

    Your servant in Christ,

    De Maria

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good explanation.
      Yes it is the same things , sacrament of confirmation and chrismation.

      During your 20 years of defending our faith, have you ever heard or read this silly question like this sacrament of anointing the sick is the same meaning for forgiveness of sins when someone who is in his or her death bed?.

      I have searching this for two days in our CC but under no 1532, it said the special Grace been granted if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of penance.

      Sincerely, Anna

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    2. That is true. In the Sacrament of anointing of the sick, the sins are forgiven also. Anytime, not just the death bed. People with chronic and serious illness may be anointed and their sins are forgiven.

      II. WHO RECEIVES AND WHO ADMINISTERS THIS SACRAMENT?

      In case of grave illness . . .

      1514 The Anointing of the Sick "is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived."130

      1515 If a sick person who received this anointing recovers his health, he can in the case of another grave illness receive this sacrament again. If during the same illness the person's condition becomes more serious, the sacrament may be repeated. It is fitting to receive the Anointing of the Sick just prior to a serious operation. The same holds for the elderly whose frailty becomes more pronounced.

      1532 The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its effects:
      - the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church;
      - the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age;
      - the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of Penance;
      - the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul;
      - the preparation for passing over to eternal life.

      Your servant in Christ,

      De Maria

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    3. Thanks De Maria, I got it after I checked those footnotes on the CCC especially notes derived from book of St Mark. regarding the paralyzed man who needs to be cured. There's a magic words from Jesus.

      Peace.

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Thanks for contributing.