1	Sacramental Theology Diocese of Madison Lay Institute March 10, 2007 Rev. Tait C. Schroeder, STL, V.E.
2	Outline of the Day Session 1: General Sacramental Theory Session 2: Liturgy and the Sacraments Session 3: The Sacraments of Initiation Session 4: The Sacraments of Healing and Vocation
3	Sacramental Theology as Intersection: Between dogmatic theology which includes: Trinitarian theology: God’s self-revelation Christology: Christ’s humanity and saving actions Ecclesiology: the Church and her power to guide, interpret, and dispense grace …and moral theology which focuses on the following: Growth in holiness Strengthening a virtuous life
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5	Sacrament as Encounter Every sacrament helps us to encounter God, the Church, and the very depths of our being as persons. The sacraments also connect us to three different times:
6	Sacrament as Encounter Sacraments are material encounters with God Why do we need these material encounters? The logic of the Incarnation – “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” ST III, 60, 4 – “Divine wisdom provides for each thing according to its mode;…Now it is part of man’s nature to acquire knowledge of the intelligible from the sensible.” We have a need and desire for certainty in experiencing Christ’s grace and presence. God uses the sacraments to communicate grace, which is beyond our ability to attain on our own.
7	Essential Concepts of Encounter Words as a means of encounter Advantages Words with power – cf. Gn 1 Express the will of the communicator Disadvantages Words are limited – language/cultural barriers Hearers’ capacities different – e.g. God as Father
8	Essential Concepts of Encounter Images as a means of encounter Advantages Express will of image maker Ability to express deeper/multiple meanings Disadvantages Images limited by material Possibility of being too subjective – e.g. Japanese visitors in Rome
9	Signs Quick definition = arbitrary meaning given to a particular image A nominalist approach to an image – a name and meaning are given by a particular community
10	Symbols The word symbol means to “throw together” There are two ways of thinking that undervalue the positive aspects of “symbol” Opposition – This mode of thinking opposes the symbol and reality. Thus symbol becomes a purely subjective concept, while reality is something else. Utilitarian approach – This approach takes a symbol that is naturally endowed with meaning but uses that symbol to point to something else. This is found especially in advertising. (Think of a beautiful woman selling a car or scenes of active seniors selling the latest pharmaceutical)
11	Symbols We’ve discussed partial or distorted views of “symbol,” so what is a symbol in its fullest sense? It is an image that is “pre-individual,” that is it has meaning even before we assign meaning to it, and it is communal, in that it expresses important relationships. Symbol in its truest sense strikes a balance between the objective and subjective.
12	Realsymbol – Karl Rahner, SJ The concept of “Realsymbol” is that we must express ourselves to find our true essence. When we express ourselves to another, we become more authentically who we are (e.g. a kiss – this is an act of self-expression to another that shows us our identity and builds a bond of affection). Seen theologically in the Sacred Heart of Jesus – God expressed his desire to save by sending Jesus – The mystery of Christ’s love and grace is embodied in his heart – His heart was pierced to express that love – The open heart of Christ proved his love while also becoming the font of sacramental grace for us
13	Christ as Word and Image Words and images limited, but Christ is both perfect Word and perfect image (Col 1:12-20) We are limited in understanding significance and reality of salvation Christ communicates due to limited intellect and sin Church as Bride of Christ better able than an individual to determine the ways in which Christ expresses his saving will (important when discussing Church’s authority over sacraments)
14	Christ as Word and Image Karl Rahner described these realities in the following manner: Christ as Ursakrament – primordial sacrament that perfectly communicates God’s salvation Church as Grundsakrament – fundamental sacrament that shows that salvation to the world Seven sacraments concretize in the life of believers the saving will and actions of Christ in his Church
15	Certitude of Sacraments ST I-II, 5, 1 – Happiness is the satisfaction of curiosity Sacraments guarantee the certitude that Christ and his Church are faithfully imparting the grace that Christ desires to pour out
16	Ex opere operato Literally means: “From the work, worked” Important concept that shows that if certain conditions are met, the effect or reality signified by the sacramental action is produced in the individual and for the Church What are the conditions for the grace of the sacrament (the work) to take effect (to be worked)?
17	Ex opere operato Matter – the proper material action or gesture must be used (e.g. wheat bread and grape wine for the Eucharist) Form - the formula of words that specify the significance of the matter and Christ’s will Intention of the minister – minimum is to do what the Church does by using the proper matter and form – unworthiness of minister does not hinder the effect of the sacrament (ex opere operantis) Intention of the recipient – minimum is to take part in a reasonable way in rite
18	Sacramental Economy Terminology μυστήριον – mysterium: not so much a who-done-it, but a sense of being in front of something unspeakable/unanswerable sacramentum: coming from the word sacrare, to set aside or mark – Roman soldiers received the sacramentum, a tattoo that marked them as soldiers of a particular group
19	What is a Sacrament? A sacrament can be defined in the following ways: An efficacious sign of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us (CCC 1131) A visible rite that communicates a hidden reality which is known in part “Verbum visibile” – visible word – St. Augustine
20	How is Sacramental Grace Communicated? Christ is the cause of the efficacy of the sacraments (cf. CCC 1127) Final cause – Christ in heaven – goal/purpose Efficient cause – Christ’s human nature – way in which sacraments cause grace – Paschal Mystery Instrumental cause – minister/rite/recipient
21	Three Causes Final Cause – The professor has the whole picture in mind. He knows what he wants to communicate. Efficient Cause – He uses his arm/hand to write on the chalk board. Instrumental Cause – The chalk is the particular instrument used to communicate the professor’s ideas.
22	Effects of the Sacraments Sanctifying and sacramental grace imparted Key points: Grace is contained in the sacraments – matter/form “connected” to grace Sacraments make present the grace signified Character imparted in baptism, confirmation, holy orders Character means the sacrament cannot be repeated Gives glory and allows to receive/bestow grace Character keeps us linked to God’s grace
23	Enumeration of the Sacraments Open question until Council of Trent Saw connections with other sacraments Baptism – Trinity / Sign of the Cross a sac.? What enhanced worship Dedication of a church / washing of the feet What highlighted baptismal grace Monastic vows What contained the presence of Christ like Eucharist Chrism
24	Enumeration of the Sacraments Theologians had lists that had 12 or more sacraments Peter Lombard had 7 traditional sacraments by 1160 Trent defined 7 Why important? Church came to define sacrament and deepen her self-understanding Church is authoritative source to determine will of Christ – certain aspects defined by Church, i.e. matter and form when not expressly done by Jesus
25	Institution of the Sacraments by Christ St. Thomas – sacramental efficacy comes from Passion – signs given during Jesus’ life, but fulfilled in Christ’s saving death Schillebeeckx – meaning determined by Christ, but differs from sacrament to sacrament – implicit will of some sacraments left for Church to determine (in terms of matter/form – also can add for validity, e.g. marriage)
26	Institution of the Sacraments by Christ Auer – sacraments didn’t arise later – can find outright institution or link in Scriptures Baptism – Mt 28:19 – direct Confirmation – Acts 8:17; 19:6 Eucharist – Lk 22:19 – direct Penance – Jn 20:23 – direct Anointing of the Sick – Jms 5:14ff Holy Orders – 2 Tm 1:6; 2:2 Marriage – Eph 5:25; Mt 19:3-9
27	Interrelation of the Sacraments – ST III, 65, 1
28	Greatest/Necessity ST III, 65, 3-4 Eucharist is greatest sacrament because: Contains Christ substantially All sacraments lead to Eucharist (cf. SC 10) Most sacraments celebrated at Eucharist N.B. – baptism most necessary, order most perfect(ing) Three necessary sacraments Baptism – individual Penance – individual Holy Orders - Church