Mystery of Christ and Sacramentality of the Church
I. MYSTERION IN THE NEW TESTAMENT | II. REDEMPTIVE ACTS OF CHRIST AND THE EARLY CHURCH III. THE CHURCH AS SACRAMENTUM
Quotations in Latin are from the Neo-Vulgate New Testament online edition of the Vatican.
Quotations in English are from the Douay-Rheims Version, and the New American Bible in the Vatican website.
I. MYSTERION IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
1. Christ is the content of the mysterion of God
In the Gospels
Mk 4:11-12 Knowledge of Jesus Christ as Mystery
"Et dicebat eis: 'Vobis datum est mysterium regni Dei: illis autem, qui foris sunt, in parabolis omnia fiunt, ut videntes videant et non videant, et audientes audiant et non intellegant, ne quando convertantur, et dimittatur eis.'"
"And he said to them: To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but to them that are without, all things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand: lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.."
"He answered them, 'The mystery of the kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that they may look and see but not perceive, and hear and listen but not understand, in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.'" (Cf also Mt 13,16).
Lk 11:23 Insertion into Christ = Acceptance of Christ and Identification with Him
"Qui non est mecum, adversum me est; et, qui non colligit mecum, dispergit."
"He that is not with me, is against me; and he that gathereth not with me, scattereth."
"Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."
In the Pauline epistles
I Cor 1:21-24 We preach Christ
"Nam quia in Dei sapientia non cognovit mundus per sapientiam Deum, placuit Deo per stultitiam praedicationis salvos facere credentes. Quoniam et Iudaei signa petunt, et Graeci sapientiam quaerunt, nos autem praedicamus Christum crucifixum, Iudaeis quidem scandalum, gentibus autem stultitiam; ipsis autem vocatis, Iudaeis atque Graecis, Christum Dei virtutem et Dei sapientiam"
"For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world, by wisdom, knew not God, it pleased God, by the foolishness of our preaching, to save them that believe. For both the Jews require signs, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews indeed a stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness: But unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God."
"For since in the wisdom of God the world did not come to know God through wisdom, it was the will of God through the foolishness of the proclamation to save those who have faith. For Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."
Eph 3:4 The mysterion of Christ
"...prout potestis legentes intellegere prudentiam meam in mysterio Christi, quod aliis generationibus non innotuit filiis hominum, sicuti nunc revelatum est sanctis apostolis eius et prophetis in Spiritu,..."
"As you reading, may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ, Which in other generations was not known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit..."
"When you read this you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to human beings in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit..."
2. The mysterion of Christ is operative through and revealed by the Spirit
I Cor 2:6-8,10-12
"Sapientiam autem loquimur inter perfectos, sapientiam vero non huius saeculi neque principum huius saeculi, qui destruuntur, sed loquimur Dei sapientiam in mysterio, quae abscondita est, quam praedestinavit Deus ante saecula in gloriam nostram, quam nemo principum huius saeculi cognovit; si enim cognovissent, numquam Dominum gloriae crucifixissent. ... Nobis autem revelavit Deus per Spiritum; Spiritus enim omnia scrutatur, etiam profunda Dei. Quis enim scit hominum, quae sint hominis, nisi spiritus hominis, qui in ipso est? Ita et, quae Dei sunt, nemo cognovit nisi Spiritus Dei. Nos autem non spiritum mundi accepimus, sed Spiritum, qui ex Deo est, ut sciamus, quae a Deo donata sunt nobis"
"Howbeit we speak wisdom among the perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, neither of the princes of this world that come to nought; But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, a wisdom which is hidden, which God ordained before the world, unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew; for if they had known it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory. ... But to us God hath revealed them, by this Spirit. For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, but the spirit of a man that is in him? So the things also that are of God no man knoweth, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of this world, but the Spirit that is of God; that we may know the things that are given us from God. "
"Yet we do speak a wisdom to those who are mature, but not a wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away. Rather, we speak God's wisdom, mysterious, hidden, which God predetermined before the ages for our glory, and which none of the rulers of this age knew; for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ... this God has revealed to us through the Spirit.For the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God. Among human beings, who knows what pertains to a person except the spirit of the person that is within? Similarly, no one knows what pertains to God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the things freely given us by God."
3. The redeemed are "inserted" into the mysterion of Christ
Eph 3:6 Gentiles and converted Jews become co-inheritors
"esse gentes coheredes et concorporales et comparticipes promissionis in Christo Iesu per evangelium"
"That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and co-partners of his promise in Christ Jesus, by the gospel..."
"... that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel."
Gal 3:26-28 Clothing oneself in Christ
"Omnes enim filii Dei estis per fidem in Christo Iesu. Quicumque enim in Christum baptizati estis, Christum induistis: non est Iudaeus neque Graecus, non est servus neque liber, non est masculus et femina; omnes enim vos unus estis in Christo Iesu."
"For you are all the children of God by faith, in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ, have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek: there is neither bond nor free: there is neither male nor female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus."
"For through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
I Cor 12:12-13 Baptism and incorporation into Christ
"Sicut enim corpus unum est et membra habet multa, omnia autem membra corporis, cum sint multa, unum corpus sunt, ita et Christus; etenim in uno Spiritu omnes nos in unum corpus baptizati sumus, sive Iudaei sive Graeci sive servi sive liberi, et omnes unum Spiritum potati sumus."
"For as the body is one, and hath many members; and all the members of the body, whereas they are many, yet are one body, so also is Christ. For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether bond or free; and in one Spirit we have all been made to drink."
"As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit."
I Cor 6:15 Even our bodies are members of Christ!
"Nescitis quoniam corpora vestra membra Christi sunt? "
"Know you not that your bodies are the members of Christ? "
"Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?"
I Cor 10:16-17 Sacramental Body of Christ feeds Mystical Body and makes it grow
"Calix benedictionis, cui benedicimus, nonne communicatio sanguinis Christi est? Et panis, quem frangimus, nonne communicatio corporis Christi est? Quoniam unus panis, unum corpus multi sumus, omnes enim de uno pane participamur. "
"The chalice of benediction, which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? And the bread, which we break, is it not the partaking of the body of the Lord? For we, being many, are one bread, one body, all that partake of one bread."
"The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf."
4. The mysterion of Christ is revealed in the Church.
I Jn 1:1-3 The connection between revelation of Christ and revelation of the apostles
"Quod fuit ab initio, quod audivimus, quod vidimus oculis nostris, quod perspeximus, et manus nostrae contrectaverunt de verbo vitae et vita apparuit, et vidimus et testamur et annuntiamus vobis vitam aeternam, quae erat coram Patre et apparuit nobis ? quod vidimus et audivimus, annuntiamus et vobis, ut et vos communionem habeatis nobiscum. Communio autem nostra est cum Patre et cum Filio eius Iesu Christo. "
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life: For the life was manifested; and we have seen and do bear witness, and declare unto you the life eternal, which was with the Father, and hath appeared to us: That which we have seen and have heard, we declare unto you, that you also may have fellowship with us, and our fellowship may be with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. "
"What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life - for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us - what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. "
II. REDEMPTIVE ACTS OF CHRIST AND THE EARLY CHURCH
1. Before the Pasch
Mk 1:16-26 Preaching, Curing, Choosing Apostles
"Et praeteriens secus mare Galilaeae vidit Simonem et Andream fratrem Simonis mittentes in mare; erant enim piscatores. Et dixit eis Iesus: ? Venite post me, et faciam vos fieri piscatores hominum ?. Et protinus, relictis retibus, secuti sunt eum. Et progressus pusillum vidit Iacobum Zebedaei et Ioannem fratrem eius, et ipsos in navi componentes retia, et statim vocavit illos. Et, relicto patre suo Zebedaeo in navi cum mercennariis, abierunt post eum. Et ingrediuntur Capharnaum. Et statim sabbatis ingressus synagogam docebat. Et stupebant super doctrina eius: erat enim docens eos quasi potestatem habens et non sicut scribae. Et statim erat in synagoga eorum homo in spiritu immundo; et exclamavit dicens: ? Quid nobis et tibi, Iesu Nazarene? Venisti perdere nos? Scio qui sis: Sanctus Dei ?. Et comminatus est ei Iesus dicens: ? Obmutesce et exi de homine! ?. Et discerpens eum spiritus immundus et exclamans voce magna exivit ab eo. "
"And passing by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother, casting nets into the sea (for they were fishermen). And Jesus said to them: Come after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And immediately leaving their nets, they followed him. And going on from thence a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were mending their nets in the ship: 20 And forthwith he called them. And leaving their father Zebedee in the ship with his hired men, they followed him. And they entered into Capharnaum, and forthwith upon the sabbath days going into the synagogue, he taught them. And they were astonished at his doctrine. For he was teaching them as one having power, and not as the scribes. And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying: What have we to do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus threatened him, saying: Speak no more, and go out of the man. And the unclean spirit tearing him, and crying out with a loud voice, went out of him."
"As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him. Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are - the Holy One of God!" Jesus rebuked him and said, "Quiet! Come out of him!" The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. "
2. During the Last Supper
Lk 22:20 New Sacrifice, New Covenant, New People of God
"Hic calix novum testamentum est in sanguine meo, qui pro vobis funditur."
"This is the chalice, the new testament in my blood, which shall be shed for you."
"This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you."
3. After the Resurrection
Jn 20:22-23 Forgiving sins
"Et cum hoc dixisset, insufflavit et dicit eis: Accipite Spiritum Sanctum. Quorum remiseritis peccata, remissa sunt eis; quorum retinueritis, retenta sunt."
"When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained."
"And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.'"
Mt 28:18-20 (cf Mk 16:15-16) Preaching and baptizing
"Et accedens Iesus locutus est eis dicens: Data est mihi omnis potestas in caelo et in terra. Euntes ergo docete omnes gentes, baptizantes eos in nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti, docentes eos servare omnia, quaecumque mandavi vobis. Et ecce ego vobiscum sum omnibus diebus usque ad consummationem saeculi."
"And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world."
"Then Jesus approached and said to them, 'All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.'"
4. The Early Church
Act 2:42 Continuity
"Erant autem perseverantes in doctrina apostolorum et communicatione, in fractione panis et orationibus."
"And they were persevering in the doctrine of the apostles, and in the communication of the breaking of bread, and in prayers."
"They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers."
III. THE CHURCH AS SACRAMENTUM
Please read Lumen Gentium, Chapter 1
18 July 2005