Essay On Sacraments

Biblical Origins and Modern Day Meanings of Three Sacraments of the Catholic Church

A sacrament is a deed by which God shows something that cannot be seen, but which is very real. In a loose definition, a sacrament is a symbolic action for an encounter between God and man. For example, a handshake or a hug is a sacrament of friendship. By means of what can be seen, the handshake and the hug; friendship, which cannot be seen, is expressed. Christians should reclaim the Sacraments in daily living and the effects within its unifying and austere magnitude. Understanding the biblical origins of the Sacraments will reaffirm belief and support faith within the church, as well as put us closer on our path to God and his kingdom.

The Sacraments of

Baptism is first seen within the Old Testament through the saving of Noah and his family during the Great Flood. Baptism was symbolized by washing the Earth of its sins (Genesis 7:12-23, 1 Peter 3:20-21). An additional example was of Moses leading the Jews through the Red Sea saving them with passage (an image of saving by means of water). Another illustration in the Old Testament was the Jews crossing the River Jordan, it brought Israel into the Promised Land (an image of eternal life) (Exodus 14:1-22). Of course, there is the scripture in which Jesus said: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." Gospel of John 3:5. This specific scripture connects the realm of divinity and the church. How? Baptism is often called “The door of the Church” because it is the first of the seven sacraments, not only in time, since most receive it as infants, but in precedence, since the reception of the other sacraments depends on it. Baptism is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation, the other two being the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Once baptized, a person becomes a member of the Church (The

Paul to the Corinthians 11:23-26:

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said: “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also after supper, saying: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord 's death until he comes.

The bread and wine through Holy Communion become the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. The Eucharist is the heart and source of community within the church. Communion brings believers closer to God and provides spiritual