Sacramentality

[advoir]

I have a question about sacramentality. If you could complete the following...

The sacrament is effective because:

(1) It is one of the (exclusive) physical points of contact between humans and divine grace.
(2) It is a (inclusive) physical point of contact between humans and divine grace.
(3) The symbolic act in itself pleases God (and thus

Comments

[jadeejf]

Personally I'd pick #5- a combination of 3 and 4, really. As to why- it just makes more sense to me, I guess. I have a hard time delineating the exact why.

[advoir]

Thanks for answering. :)

[martiancyclist]

Could you clarify the difference between 1 and 2 please?

[advoir]

The difference is that (1) means the sacraments are the only physical points of contact between humans and divine grace whereas (2) means there can physical points of contact between humans and divine grace other than the sacraments.

[napoleonofnerds]

Then you need to define what you mean by "physical point of contact with divine grace."

[advoir]

A "physical point of contact with divine grace" is a physical object (such as the wafer) or a physical act (such as baptism) through which God sends His grace (divine power that enables the recipient to become closer to God in intimacy and character) to a human being.

[advoir]

If I could restate what you said to make sure I understand, the sacrament is efficacious regardless of the recipient's faith, only in unbelief the effect is detriment.

However, you say "the Word of God that is within The Sacrament". Is this a reference to consubstantiation?

[advoir]

You said "transubstantiation" twice. ;) But I think I get your point. I'm not convinced the how is important, but I'm very curious what different people think and why. I appreciate your input, thank you. :)

[chaz_lehmann]

A Sacrament is effective because of the mandate and promise of the Lord.

[advoir]

Thanks for answering. :)

[catholic_heart]

Perhaps an analogy can be helpful here, though it will likely be imperfect. Think of writing on a chalkboard. Your soul is the primary cause of the writing appearing on the board, because your soul controls the movements of the body. The arm is an extension of the soul, and so the soul causes the arm to move in such a way as to produce the writing. The chalk is the instrument which causes writing to appear on the board, united to the soul insofar as it is held by the arm which is part of the body animated by the soul

[pastorlenny]

Using this analogy, would you say that the Christian life without the Eucharist is like the sound of fingernails on the blackboard? :P

[catholic_heart]

Yes!!!!

[advoir]

Thank you for the analogy. Forgive me if I ask obvious questions sometimes because I want to make sure I understand. Would that make the sacrament a channel of grace, so to speak?