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We all know the seven sacraments of the church: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Marriage, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick. But did you know that there are two other sacraments? Did you also know that these two sacraments, while not part of the “official seven,” are the source for the seven sacraments and the entire reason why these seven sacraments exist in the first place?
These two sacraments are not liturgical acts, like Baptism or Confirmation. They aren’t “things” we do at all. One is an individual person, and the other is a group of people. One is eternal, and the other spans centuries of history. One is in heaven, and the other is on the earth. One is human and divine, and the other is human but filled with divine grace.
Have you figured it out yet? The first is Jesus, and the second is the church. While it may seem like just wordplay to call Jesus and the church sacraments, some very important truths of our faith are contained in these words—truths that will help us reverence the church on a deeper level. So let’s unpack what all this means.
What Is a Sacrament? The traditional definition of a sacrament tells…
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What an inspiring article! Thank You!!
What a wonderful insight in the sacraments and their connections to our Church!
Dormac