I Want to go to Heaven!

It is reasonable to think, ‘anyone who is sane, rational and seeks a virtuous life wants to get to heaven to be with God.’ This should be the most active desire of your heart. This, as a spiritual desire to be Holy and become a saint, must constantly be raised in prayer to God, by humbly asking God to be with Him always, to thank Him for His benevolence and grace. All things done in this life should be consistent with the goal of God’s grace for the purpose of union with God for all eternity. This is not done out of selfishness. It is done instead out of love, with a sincere desire to be with God.

However, you cannot get to heaven by only praying very hard and maintaining a sincere desire to see and believe in God. You need God’s help!

Recall the message from the story “The Close Encounter” in lesson 1. Remember, getting to the great treasure requires you to go off the beaten path. This means you need to do certain things which not only mark your intent to go down this path, but it is to journey on a path that is different from the trappings of the world. This includes making decisions to change directions in your life. It also includes seeking those things that are beneficial and consistent with obtaining the goal.

The other message from the story was, “you don’t get to heaven by accident.” You will need assistance to get to heaven. This assistance is offered by God through grace. It is God who is your true infinite treasure as well as your true means to salvation. God is the goal as well as the means to get to the right destination. 

The sacraments are provided as one of the important means to help keep us on our journey towards heaven.

 So, how does God aide you on your journey to heaven?

The quick answer is; God aides you through His gift of grace which abound in the sacraments.

The only means for getting to heaven is through God’s grace which is freely given and comes through Christ’s redemptive actions, culminating with His death on the cross. God’s grace given through the sacraments brings forth a new life and sustains it. From the mystery of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, God chooses to provide this new life by means of His Church which is the Body of Christ. The foundation of Christ’s life-giving grace is dispensed in the sacraments through the ministers of the Church. [1]  

Your journey of faith benefits from God’s revelation and grace. In sacred scriptures, God revealed Himself through the salvation history of Israel and later through the church. Through this God used words and actions accompanied with signs and symbols. Since all these are from God, they are sacred.

God can be recognized through words, actions, signs, and symbols in the sacraments, making Him approachable through the eyes of faith. It is through the same that you recognize an authentic encounter with God. All of this is found in the Sacraments.

The sacraments as “efficacious signs of grace”[2] are from God and become a resource for your journey. From these sacraments God touches you, heals you, strengthens you, and transforms you during your journey. All of this is part of God’s plan allowing you to encounter Him while incorporating you in the story of salvation.

The sacraments are instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to the entire church.[3] The Church as the Mystical Body of Christ gets its life from Jesus who is the head.[4]

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[1] CCC 1115

[2] CCC 1131

[3] Ibid

[4] Colossians 1:18 He is the head of the body, the church.  (See also Ephesians 1:22-23)

What are the Seven (7) Sacraments?

There are seven (7) sacraments of the Catholic Church[4].  All of the sacraments established as part of the New Covenant have been directly instituted by Jesus Christ Himself. This is recognized as being part of Gods will because you can find reflected in the Old Covenant, the foreshadowing of God’s promise (i.e. circumcision, the Passover sacrifice) which come to fulfillment in the New Covenant in Jesus Christ. This fulfillment is brought forth by the mysteries of Christ life thus forming the foundation for the  sacraments.[5]

The seven sacraments are:

·        Baptism

·        Confirmation

·        Penance (Confession, Reconciliation)

·        Eucharist

·        Holy Matrimony

·        Holy Orders

·        Anointing of the Sick (Extreme Unction)

 Baptism

Baptism is the first of seven sacraments. It is the beginning sacrament of initiation into the Church. Baptism is your spiritual re-birth and frees you from original sin and personal guilt. As the first initiating sacrament it makes you a member of Christ and His Church, and you are returned to friendship with God. Baptism, opens up the availability of the other Sacraments. Baptism offers sanctifying grace which is a permanent gift given freely by God and provides a new and supernatural life. This new life is necessary for the other sacraments to be received.[1] In Baptism you are reborn.[2]

Baptism has been around from the very beginning of the Church.[3] It remains undisputed in the Church since the beginning. In the Acts of the Apostles, entire households were baptized. This would include infants. The Church has maintained infant baptism from the beginning. Baptism was never disputed or rejected nor has it ever been seen as part of any heresy against Christianity. It wasn’t until after the Protestant Reformation that some schismatics began to dispute aspects of Baptism. But this was 1500 years after it had already been a sacrament in the Church.

Receiving the Sacrament of Baptism positions the soul to receive additional grace by opening a door to the other sacraments. Grace is needed for anyone’s journey towards God. So why would one not afford this sacrament at the earliest age? Every soul is allowed to receive God’s grace, making Baptism more than suitable for infants.

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[1] 1 Peter 3:21  “This prefigured baptism, which saves you now. It is not a removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,”

[2] John 3:2-21 “…… 5 Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.”……

[3] Acts 2:38-41

 Confirmation

The sacrament of Confirmation completes the sacrament of Baptism. With Baptism, you are given a new and supernatural life, and receive the seal of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation strengthens that life by the gifts of the Holy Spirit.[1] This power of grace from God concerns the strengthening of what God has given and continues to give, to his sons and daughters (cf. CCC 1302-1303). Whereas the sacrament of Holy Eucharist nourishes your new life in Christ and the sacrament of Reconciliation restores supernatural life when it is broken. 

Confirmation is the sacrament of maturity or coming of age for the Christian. However, it should not be treated as a simple rite of passage. Confirmation perfects baptismal grace; it is the sacrament that gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiation to incorporate you more firmly into Christ.[2]

During the time of ancient Israel, those picked for a special mission or selected office for the sake of following or serving God would receive an anointing with sacred oil. Confirmation anoints you with sacred oil as the physical sign acknowledging you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit. This sign also signifies you are now sent out into the world to serve God.

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[1] CCC 1285

[2] CCC 1316

Eucharist

The sacrament of Holy Eucharist or “Holy Communion” is the third sacrament which completes the sacraments of initiation. This sacrament is ongoing for those journeying towards God because it is the complete fountain of His grace. Those already initiated into the church, are called to be prepared[1] and to receive it “often”[2] The sacrament of the Holy Eucharist is the Source and Summit of the faith.

Bodily you are united with God. The separation from God afflicted on man by Adam’s sin, is undone by the unifying grace and presence of Jesus. The unifying grace and physical presence of Jesus is found in the Eucharist. This moment of unity or communion is to receive Jesus who is truly present body, blood soul, and divinity. It is in this same moment that you are more completely united to the mystical body of Christ with all who are joined to Christ both in heaven and on earth. This is done by God’s grace and power.

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[1] The sacrament of the most Holy Eucharist is a source of unity and grace. As such the individual must make certain we are capable and ready to be united and graced prevailed in this august sacrament. We should be in full communion with God and the Church. If this is not the case because of something we have done, then we need to reconcile with God and the Church. We need to be fully initiated first of all. If we already are, and we need reconciliation with God then we should prevail upon Sacrament of Reconciliation. When necessary, we need to change the way we are living.

[2] CCC1389

Penance (Confession, Reconciliation)

After being baptized, the sacrament of Penance is for the purpose of reconciling yourself with God. When you sin, you come to the sacrament as the means to go before God seeking pardon in order to heal your wounded soul.[1] The purpose of the sacrament is to restore in fullness your relationship with God. Through His grace in this sacrament, you can see God’s will for your life more clearly.

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[1] CCC 1422

 Holy Matrimony

The sacrament is given for the joining of a man and woman as husband and wife. In union with Christ, it is a lifelong partnership ‘ordered toward the good of the spouses, procreation, and the education of offspring.[1] It is in this sacrament where the two become one and are united with Christ. It is Christ himself who is the Bond of Marriage. Together as one, the couple walks with Christ. In matrimony the couple are the living image of Christ’s union with his church. 

Holy Orders

Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time.[2] It is the sacrament from which priests and bishops are anointed for the apostolic ministry.

All members of the Body of Christ participate in the priesthood through the Sacrament of Baptism. As priestly people, it is our confirmed duty to raise priests from amongst the believers.[3] Some men are called to serve Jesus and the Church today through the celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. It is from their positions as bishops, priests, and deacons as leaders in the Church, that they help continue Jesus’ presence on earth in the tradition of the apostles.

Those called to be priests are ordained through the Rite of Ordination. In celebrating this Rite, men receive a permanent spiritual mark, called a character, signifying that they represent Jesus’ presence in the Church. There are three levels of participation in the Sacrament of Holy Orders: as bishop, as priest (from presbyter, which is Greek for “elder”), and as deacon. All three terms (bishop, presbyter, and deacon) are found in the New Testament.

Anointing of the Sick (Extreme Unction)

The Sacrament is the anointing and prayer of the priest. Its purpose is to give health and strength to the soul, and sometimes to the body, when there is danger of death from sickness. It can also be prevailed upon for recovery from medical issues and procedures. This may be an outpatient procedure and even dental work.

Illness and suffering in your life are not eliminated simply because you decide to follow Christ. You will go through afflictions in life, but you do not have to go through it alone. Through the grace of Christ, in your weakness, you can be made strong[4], all according to God’s will. The sacrament provides a means of anointing in times of suffering, giving you as part of the faithful an opportunity to unite yourself with the “Passion and death of Christ.”[5] It is a unique encounter with Christ where you are especially united to His sacrifice.

This sacrament is not the same as “Last Rites,” but Anointing of the Sick is one of the sacraments given in Last Rites. Last Rites are the sacraments received by a person who is near death and may consist of up to three of them. A priest may be called to administer last rites to a dying person. This will include Confession, Anointing of the Sick (extreme unction), and final reception of holy Communion (called Viaticum).

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[1] CCC1601

[2] CCC 1536

[3] 1 Peter 2:9 But you are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

[4] 2 Corinthians 12:9-11

[5] CCC1499

 What is Sanctifying Grace?

Sanctifying grace:

 is that grace which confers on our souls a new life, that is, a sharing in the life of God Himself.

Sanctifying grace is that grace which makes the soul holy and pleasing to God.

But to as many as received him he gave the power of becoming sons of God.(John 1:12)

All graces come from God. Sanctifying grace[1] is a gift from God which stays in the soul. Sanctifying grace is first received in baptism as the initiating action where the soul is made holy and pleasing to God. This grace besides making the soul holy, it also gives the soul a supernatural life. More properly, it is supernatural life. 

·        Sanctify – to make something holy, sacred, and pure.

·        Grace – generally means unmerited favor from God.

• • What is that “favor?” New life with God.

God created you to know, love, and serve Him in this world. This is done so that when your life is finished here on earth, you might share in His happiness and be united with Him in Heaven. However, the existence of God is far different from yours. God's life is unlimited, uncreated, and independent. Human life on the other hand is very limited, created by God, and absolutely dependent on Him. To be with God you need ‘new life’ (Sanctifying grace), in effect supernatural life. You need this new life to garner the Christian lifestyle to become holy, set apart for the purpose of becoming more and more Christ-like.

Unless you are supernaturally transformed to be more Christ-like, you cannot follow into this other existence with God. You cannot be transformed by your own power. On your own, you are not equipped to obtain this new life and spend eternity with God. You need help outside and greater than yourself to achieve this. The help would need to be from the same existence as God. 

This new kind of life is a result of Sanctifying Grace. You receive this from God. As such it is a sharing in the life of God, which raises you and gives you the power to obtain happiness by being in heaven with God for eternity.

"By whom He hath given us the most great and precious promises: that by these you may be made partakers of the divine nature." (2 Peter 1:4)

When you initially receive sanctifying grace at baptism your sins of the past are wiped away and you are in a state of grace. At such time and any time, you return to the state of grace, such as after the sacrament of reconciliation, you have the indwelling of the Holy Trinity within!

“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him. (John 14:23b)

In Baptism God places Sanctifying Grace into your soul for the first time.

"Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."   (John 3:5)

This grace perfects your soul, chiefly by receiving Holy Communion, the other sacraments, prayer life, and good works (following the will of God). Therefore, you are to continue to grow in grace and not just sit around thinking good and holy thoughts.

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."                                                                      (2 Peter 3:18)

There are many graces God has given the Church. Sanctifying grace happens to be the most important one because it allows you to participate in the Divine life with God. It is from Sanctifying grace where all other benefits from God come forth into the life of the members of his Mystical Body, the Church. 

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[1]CCC 2000  Sanctifying Grace is an habitual gift, a stable and supernatural disposition that perfects the soul itself to enable it to live with God, to act by His love. ….

 What is meant when it is said that ‘Christ instituted the sacraments directly’?

Jesus, while on Earth, mandated the apostles to do all the things He did. It is by the words of Jesus’ teaching, His command or His action the specific operation of grace and the outward sign for distinguishing the provision of His grace in a sacrament is determined.

The New Testament explicitly mentions the institution by Jesus of the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, Penance, and Holy Orders. Scripture is implicit concerning the origin of Confirmation and Anointing of the Sick as being set forth by Christ. The sending out is done with His power and this is what Confirmation does. Regarding the anointing of the Sick, Jesus did heal many people of a variety of ailments.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is found in several areas, beginning within the Acts of the Apostles. Jesus ascends into heaven and the early Church continues to minister healing as well as confer the Holy Spirit on those baptized. Before His ascension into heaven Jesus;  

4  … enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; 5 for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”  (Acts 1: 4-5)

Jesus continues by telling the Apostles the “power of Holy Spirit will come upon them (Sacrament of Confirmation):

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”                                                                                (Acts 1: 8)

Jesus confers His grace on the disciples and sends them out “two by two” to preach to the surrounding regions. The disciples preach and cast out demons in Jesus’ name. This implicitly points to the sacrament of Confirmation which provides additional grace for the purpose of doing God’s will.

Concerning the sacrament of Confession/Penance, you find Jesus himself in this passage of scripture coveys grace on them for this ministry;

21[Jesus] said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”       (John 20:21-23)

The sacrament of Holy Orders (Priesthood) finds its institution in several areas. One most notable spot is in the same Gospel story regarding the last supper where the explicit example for Holy Communion is found. Also, in St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians:

23 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the  Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, 24 and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”                                    (I Cor 11:23-25)

The sacrament of Matrimony is unique. It was instituted originally by God in the creation story of Genesis. Jesus elevates it to the level of a sacrament.[1] From the beginning (Genesis), marriage is honored and blessed. At the Wedding of Cana, Jesus starts his public ministry by performing the first miracle. His action ordained the blessedness of marriage as God’s intended design for the unity of man with Him.

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[1] CCC 1601

 What are the sacraments of Initiation?

Those seeking to enter the Catholic Church receive three (3) sacraments. The sacraments of initiation are:

·        Baptism,

·        Confirmation and

·        Holy Eucharist (Communion).[1]

These sacraments are the foundation for ‘new life’ as a Christian.[2] As for adult OCIA elect, these sacraments are traditionally given at the Easter Vigil (Saturday night before Easter). Candidates (Those already baptized and need either Communion or Confirmation) may also receive these sacraments at this time. Candidates may opt to receive their remaining sacraments at a separate liturgy (mass) after Easter. The three are required for “Full” initiation into the Catholic Church. Therefore, those wishing to be married in the Catholic Church are required to complete their remaining sacraments of initiation as part of their sacrament of matrimony.

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[1] CCC 1212   and CCC 1420

[2] CCC 1210

 Sacraments are part of the Story of Salvation

The Sacraments are consistent with the story of man’s salvation according to God’s plan as revealed in the Bible. Remember point while you go through the sacraments. Especially the sacraments of initiation. Keep in mind that the church did not “invent” the sacraments. The Church ministers the sacraments because as with the Old Testament, God intended for mankind to encounter Him and be united to Him.

With the New Testament otherwise known as the New Covenant, Jesus is the fulfillment of what God had promised. Christians are New Testament people, and God intends now to walk with them by providing His grace. God uses His Church as the normal means to allow for this. The church maintains the sacraments because they are from God’s clear commands and/or were designated because of God’s clear actions contained in His plan of salvation.

Take a note from the Old Testament. Beginning with Genesis, the sacrifice for the atonement of man’s sin, was consistently a lamb offered to God. When Jesus comes, He is called the “Lamb of God” by John the Baptist. Later the Apostles will refer to Him as the sacrificial lamb, because, His death on the cross atones for all of the sins of mankind (past, present, and future). The sacrament of Holy Communion is very much in line with all of this. In the sacrament of Holy Communion, you acknowledge the need for Christ’s saving act and the need to be united with Him.

The story of salvation has not ended. It is within all the sacraments that you continue to live in the story of God’s salvation of mankind.

 Diving Deeper into the Sacrament of Holy Communion

 Looking deeper into the sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist[1] (communion) warrants both time and attention. The greatest expression of God’s love is the gift of Jesus Christ His Son. This is because the love of God knowns no bounds. It is limitless and how He chooses to convey it is limitless as well. In His wisdom God knows His love is best conveyed to humanity through the mystery of the sacrifice of the Mass in Holy Communion. It was explained earlier that there is no way for mankind to know all there is about God. Likewise, there is no way to know how much and how glorious is the love of God especially through the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist (Communion).

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[1] “Eucharist” means “Thanksgiving or grateful” is the name given to the sacrament as well. Whereas “Communion” connotes the idea of being united with God, “Eucharist” means we are also grateful for this sacrifice which saved us from damnation. The word is also used to speak directly of the host(bread wafer).

For the most part other sacraments are received once, ie., Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders. Holy Communion along with the sacrament of Reconciliation are frequented more than once. (Matrimony and anointing of the sick which may be received more than once). However, it is the Sacrament of Holy Communion which should be prevailed upon the most. Why? For the health of the soul not only for the single person but for the body of Christ which is the church.

“For God so lived the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that those who believe in him might not perish, but may have life everlasting.”
John 3:16

Like God the Father, the love of Jesus Christ for you is without limits. That same love was proven to all mankind by offering his life to Father for the salvation of all.[1] This love coming from His one single sacrifice on the cross goes across all ages; both in the past and into the future. How can this be? Jesus as God along with His love are not bound by space and time. For Jesus, like God, all things are “now.” His grace coming from his sacrifice is boundless as well.

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[1] John 15:13 -  “Greater love than this has no one, that one lay down his life for his friends”

With the Sacrament of Holy Communion Jesus is more than spiritually present, He is also physically present. This is a perpetual presence. He told the Apostles, “I will be with you always, even to the end of the ages(end of time).”[1] Coming from the original Greek text in which they were written, they mean He is physically present. They do not mean he would be present in memory, symbol or spiritually alone.

“Compare the Eucharist to a fountain; the other sacraments to rivulets. For the Holy Eucharist is truly and necessarily to be called the fountain of all graces containing as it does…..the fountain itself of celestial gifts and graces, and the author of the other sacraments, Christ our Lord…..”[2]

The Holy Eucharist is the sacrament and sacrifice which Jesus Christ is present in an “unbloody fashion” under the appearance of bread and wine is contained, offered and received. The Eucharist is not a symbol or sign as if pointing spiritually to Jesus. Rather the Eucharist signals to the presence of Christ as the authentic sign of Christs presence in the bread and wine only when the words: “This is my Body” and “This is my blood,” are said.

In the Eucharist we see with our senses the presence of Jesus Christ fully. The words of the mass (“This is my Body” ….“This is my blood,”) consecrate the bread and wine thus truly becoming the body and blood of Jesus. Not seen are the grace and love Jesus has for us and is giving freely.  Suppose someone gave you a very special gift. In the gift you see the admiration, devotion and love the person has for you. It isn’t tangible to the sense, but all the same the admiration, devotion and love are there.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus’ words are direct an literal when he says, “My flesh is food indeed and my blood is drink indeed..”[3] The people Jesus spoke these words to took him literally.

Jesus Christ instituted this sacrament at the Last Supper. There he first washed the feet of the Apostles. Then he began the Passover meal. He changed the words of the dedication of the meal and referred to himself,

26  While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

27  Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you,   28  for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.          Matt 26:26-28

The Apostles Insisted on the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Saint Paul in his epistle, when speaking of the Holy Eucharist says this;

23 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread,  24 and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”  25 In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”   26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.   27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord.  28 A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup.   29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself.

30 That is why many among you are ill and infirm, and a considerable number are dying.               1 Corinthians  11:23-31

Christ presence, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist under the appearance of bread and wine has been an infallible teaching of the church from its beginning.

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[1] Matthew 28:20b

[2] Council of Trent, 19th ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church, held in three parts from 1545 to 1563

[3] John 6:57

 A Jesus Moment: Treasure in Heaven.

19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.

20  But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.

21  For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be     

                                (Matthew  6:19-21)

Jesus is teaching a very clear objective lesson pointing to a personal examination as to where and how you spend your time, talents, and resources. As well as where you set your priorities. This also includes knowledge, attitudes, and prejudices. Jesus puts it very plainly and clearly. As was true during those times; it is also true today and more so because we tend to collect a lot of “Stuff” and are easily distracted.

The Christian lifestyle yields to Christ’s grace for continued transformation as a process throughout life. It becomes a substantial part of the journey towards heaven. It is because of this; that you are asked by God to allow His grace to perfect you. Therefore, the questions regarding how you spend your, time, talent, resources, and how you set your priorities become a lifelong discipline of self-reflection which you do in prayer with God.

I must look at my priorities; Am I willing to make God’s will and His active Grace obtained in the sacraments the priority in my life?

What material possessions are there in this life that can be immune from rot or decay?  What material possessions are on this earth that I can take with me after I die that will give me pleasure and eternal joy?

What do you suppose are the treasures in heaven Jesus is asking us to store up?

 Self-reflection:

Consider these thoughts and ask yourself these personal questions:

·        It has already been mentioned in a previous lesson, Jesus came to save us from our sins. Jesus lived, died on the cross and rose from the dead as a testimony to His love and power to save us if we only choose to follow Him. Jesus then ascended into heaven; before he did this, He told them “I will not live you Orphans.” In order that we might have a physical sense for the grace he wants to freely give us; he established a Church. Jesus never said that the Church would be perfect in the eyes of men nor that there would be no scandals. He did promise His grace to sustain us.

·        As a way to recognize God’s grace coming to us in the Church, beginning with the Apostles, the sacraments were prevailed upon so that body of Christ on earth could have a normative way to receive and acknowledge the receiving of God’s grace.

·        The Sacraments offer a continued encounter with God.

Do you have any questions or doubts about this?

Answer the Questions:

1.) What is a Sacrament?

2.) List the Seven sacraments

3.) What do sacraments do?

4.)    What are the sacraments of Initiation?

5.)    Is God bound by the sacraments to confer His grace?  Yes/No

6.)    Explain your answer:

7.)    What is Sanctifying Grace?