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March 2024 Chapter Assembly Topic
Objectives
At the end of the assembly, MFC members are expected to:
Know the importance of the Sacraments as God's gift to us
Appreciate the Sacraments and how they affect our relationship with God
Commit to receive sacraments regularly
Expanded Outline
I. Introduction
In our journey of faith, we are blessed with various gifts from God, and among these gifts are the Sacraments. Today, we gather to explore the significance of these Sacred Sacraments in our spiritual lives and how they deepen our relationship with God. As we embark on our Lenten journey, walking alongside Jesus on His path to Passion, Death, and Resurrection, we are invited to reflect deeply on the significance of the Sacraments in our lives. In this sacred season of penance, prayer, and conversion, the Sacraments take on a special significance, offering us opportunities for encounter with the living God and for profound transformation of our heart.
II. The Meaning of Sacraments
The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us.
The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions. CCC 1131
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines Sacraments as "efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us" (CCC 1131). They are tangible expressions of God's love and presence in our lives, that gives us an opportunity to encounter God.
The Sacraments are not merely symbolic rituals but profound encounters with the Lord. They are channels through which God's grace flows into our lives, nourishing and transforming us from within. Each Sacrament carries its own unique significance and purpose, yet all are united in their capacity to draw us closer to God and to one another as members of the Christian community.
The Catholic Church recognizes seven Sacraments, each instituted by Christ himself:
*Note to speaker: Discuss the Sacrament briefly.
Baptism
Matthew 28:19 – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”
Through Baptism, we are initiated into the body of Christ, cleansed of original sin, and reborn as children of God. It is the sacrament that allows us to enter the Christian community.
Confirmation
Luke 24:49 – “But stay you in the city of Jerusalem till you be endued with power from on high.”
Confirmation strengthens and deepens the graces received in Baptism, empowering us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit to live boldly and authentically as witnesses to Christ in the world.
Eucharist
John 6:54 – “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, you shall not have life in you.”
In the Eucharist, we encounter the real presence of Christ in the consecrated bread and wine. It is the source and summit of our Christian life, nourishing us with the body and blood of Christ and uniting us as one body in communion.
Reconciliation (Confession)
John 20:22-23 – “And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’”
Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we receive God's mercy and forgiveness for our sins, reconciling us with God and with the Christian community.
Anointing of the Sick
James 5:14-15 – “Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man, and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him.”
The Anointing of the Sick offers comfort, strength, and healing to those who are suffering from illness or facing the end of life. It is a sacrament of spiritual and physical healing, as well as an affirmation of God's presence in times of trial.
Holy Orders
Matthew 10:1 – Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
Holy Orders is the sacrament through which men are ordained as deacons, priests, or bishops to serve the Church and minister to God's people. It is a sacrament of service and leadership in the Christian community.
Matrimony
Matthew 19:4-6 – “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Matrimony is the sacrament of marriage, in which a man and a woman enter into a lifelong covenant of love and fidelity, mirroring the relationship between Christ and his Church.
Each of these Sacraments is a visible sign of God's invisible grace. They invite us into deeper communion with God and with one another. Through the Sacraments, we are nourished, strengthened, and sanctified on our journey of faith, ultimately they lead us closer to the fullness of life in Jesus Christ.
III. Challenges in Receiving the Sacraments
Despite the beautiful grace offered through the Sacraments, there are challenges that may hinder us from fully receiving them wholeheartedly:
Our busy schedules and distractions by our worldly desires can make it difficult to prioritize the Sacraments.
Complacency may lead to a lack of appreciation for the transformative power of the Sacraments. It may lead us to doubt of even question the real presence of God in the Sacraments
Wrong posture or attitude can also hinder us from fully receiving God’s love through the sacraments.
Given all of these, we must remember to go back to God and appreciate His gifts given to us through the Sacraments. We must commit to strive to receive the Sacraments regularly
IV. Our Commitment to Encounter God through the Sacraments Regularly
We are called to receive Sacraments regularly. Though we may not be able to receive all in one day or even in our lifetime, we are still encouraged to fully embrace the gift of Sacraments and encounter the Lord all the time:
Approach the Sacraments with reverence and gratitude. Recognizing the Sacraments as sacred encounters with God. Thus, we must prepare ourselves both physically and spiritually in receiving them to encounter God.
Have a deep appreciation for the Sacraments. Understand their role in nourishing and sustaining our spiritual lives. See their importance and how these encounters change us to be the man and woman that God wants us to be.
Commit to receiving the Sacraments regularly. Allow these encounters with God to strengthen us on our journey of faith and continuous conversion. Go and receive the Sacraments in convenient or even in challenging circumstances.
CCC 1134 The fruit of sacramental life is both personal and ecclesial. For every one of the faithful on the one hand, this fruit is life for God in Christ Jesus; for the Church, on the other, it is an increase in charity and in her mission of witness.
V. Conclusion
As we reflect on the significance of the Sacraments, let us remember that they are precious gifts given to us by a God who loves us. May we cherish these divine encounters and commit to receiving them regularly and allow them to nourish and sustain us in our journey of faith and community life.
Discussion Question
Reflecting on your own experience with the Sacraments, how can you deepen your appreciation for them and commit to receiving them more regularly in your life?
Sources
Catechism of the Catholic Church
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