The Sacraments are pre-Judgment events

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