Transcript Sign, Symbol, & Sacrament

Sign, Symbol, & Sacrament
A soldier’s Story
The account is a symbol of true
friendship.
The symbols of the Church are the
sacraments.
Sacraments, Church and Jesus are
intimately related and all deal with
making God’s love present and felt.
Examples of Symbols
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The Flag
Peace Sign
Christmas Tree
Water
Light
Uncle Sam
The IRS
The Color Black
The Crucifix
Create a Personal Coat of Arms
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Your idea of success
Your concept of love
Your most noteworthy achievement
Your attitude toward Jesus
The biggest obstacle that stands in the way
of your growth.
Signs vs. Symbols
• A sign can be anything that points to
something else. For example, objects,
words, actions, and even persons.
• Signs can be artificial or natural.
• Symbols are special signs that go beyond
just pointing to something. Symbols are
signs with deep meanings that are held
consciously and subconsciously.
Characteristics of Symbols
• Symbols reveal part of reality without
communicating all of it.
• Symbols can reveal or conceal.
• Symbols bring about another reality without
being identical to it.
• Symbols take time to develop and have
many layers of meaning.
Origin of the Word Sacrament
• Latin: sacramentum—used to translate the
Greek word mystery.
• Romans believed sacrament meant “bond or
pledge of property” in a contract
• Became the word to describe the Christian
rite of initiation (baptism) to pledge
themselves to Christ.
St. Augustine—5th Century
• New definition of Sacrament: “visible sign of an
invisible reality, a visible sign of invisible grace.”
• Grace: definition: A gift of divine life, the gift of
God’s friendship. Sanctifying grace enables
believers to live morally, good, holy lives.
• Sacrament is a symbol or image through which we
can both PERCEIVE & RECEIVE an INVISIBLE
GRACE
• It signifies a sacred reality AND actually puts us
in touch with it.
Sacraments
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Speaks of the mystery of God’s love
Represents a pledge to live a graced life
Is a sacred, visible sign of invisible grace
Is an efficacious symbol
Jesus is the FIRST sacrament
Church’s Definition of Sacrament
and Teachings
• Sacred Signs and Actions of Jesus’ love and
salvation that enable us to share in God’s life more
deeply.
• They were instituted by Christ. They can all be
traced to Him in Scripture.
• They are symbols of sacred realities.
• There 7 sacraments that confer grace.
• They do not depend on the intention or purity of
the minister.