Sacraments are both personal and collective experiences

Each sacrament is a “sacrament of faith.” Each is an outward expression of our faith in Jesus Christ through which we receive a particular grace through the words, symbols and gestures of each sacrament. While faith in the heart leads to justification, and profession upon the lips lead to salvation (cf. Romans 10:10), Christian faith is more fully celebrated, both personally and collectively, through the seven sacraments.

The grace of the sacraments fills our minds and souls and incorporates all five senses of the body. The sacraments initiate and strengthen our status as the Church of Christ in the world.

The sacraments are founded upon two truths: The Son of God, through his Incarnation, has saved us fully and entirely. Through his humanity (see John 1:1-5, 14 and 1 John 1:1-4), Jesus saves the whole person and all peoples. Our Christian faith, expressed through the sacraments, reflects the Incarnation. Faith is not only about the salvation of the soul, but about the salvation of the whole person: mind, body and spirit. We believe  “in the resurrection of the body and life everlasting” (see the Apostles’ Creed). For this reason, the Only Begotten Son of God became fully human so that we might experience the fullness of divinity — the Beatific Vision — that is, eternal life (see John 3:16; 10:10 and Catechism of the Catholic Church, nn. 2548-2550). Concomitantly, through the salvation of all peoples, Jesus forms the church, the People of God, which continues his saving mission in the world.

The sacraments are both personal and collective experiences that celebrate both this faith and mission of the church. Through the sacraments, the faithful become members of the Church of Christ and celebrate and live their faith. The New Testament describes Christians as members of the Body of Christ and as living stones of a spiritual house in which we offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God. Every sacrament, even when celebrated alone (for example, a priest celebrating Mass alone), is always an act of the church. There may be private devotions, but there are no private sacraments.  

The sacraments are not a “graduation,” but an “initiation” and a “continuation.” The sacraments initiate, fortify and continue the life of faith. This faith is celebrated at home in “the domestic church.” It is also celebrated and lived in the life of the church entrusted with the mission of living and proclaiming the Gospel compassionately, joyfully and through the ongoing work of peace and justice. The sacraments do not graduate us from one level to another; rather, they lead us on the road of continuous conversion and transformation that embracing the individual, the community and society while leading us to eternal life.

Many Catholics are experiencing “a spiritual famine” because of the restrictions of COVID-19 (I am thinking especially of those in our correctional facilities, nursing homes, and those hesitant to go to church). These Catholics, through no fault of their own, are suffering spiritually and need our prayers and gestures of solidarity. However, we cannot become accustomed to a Catholic faith without the sacraments.

Most sadly, there are many Catholics who are experiencing “spiritual famine” because they have neglected or rejected the sacramental life of the church. I write about this, not as condemnation, but as a warning made from love and the concern of a shepherd. It is true that such Catholics may still have faith and are good persons; however, their faith is weakened and is in danger of being extinguished without the sustenance of the sacraments. Our faith is expressed more fully and most fruitfully through the active participation in the sacraments. Apathy, neglect or rejection of the sacraments places us in grave spiritual peril that weakens our relationship with Jesus and his Church and can even lead to a loss of eternal life.

The sacraments are personal and collective gestures of love, life and mercy on the part of Jesus and his church. Also, they express our love for God and one another. Because we are social beings, gestures, words and actions identify a person or enhance the unity and purpose of an organization; so as Catholics, we express our spiritual and human unity with God and one another in the sacraments. The ongoing and outward gestures and words of the sacraments nourish faith that becomes more personal, but never individualistic. The sacraments foster our collective, spiritual bond and strengthen it.

The sacraments, finally, express our purpose and mission as members of the Church of Christ: to carry out Christ’s mission of salvation, love and mercy in the world, especially to those who are lost, neglected or do not even know Christ.

Father Matthew Weber is pastor of Holy Cross Parish, Bridgeton.