Sacraments of Commitment: Marriage & Holy Order

In reading the Holy Orders I valued the idea that the Church has a historical and “legitimate succession of witnesses” in the priesthood (Johnson).   In class, we talked about the Church as apostolic, Christ is sent to the world from God, and thus Christ is the first apostle.  We learn through just as God sends Christ, Christ sends the apostles.  I can appreciate this succession even more now that I understand the origins of the priesthood.  It is so important that the Church as an institution supports the continuation of the apostolic mission.  One idea about holy orders that  I do wonder is the exclusion of women.  I am curious about this topic and would like to learn about your experiences in your faith tradition.  I also hope to better understand what the Catholic faith has to say about it.

An important note was that in the qualities that priests should have as a person and as performing the functions of “martyria, leiturgia, and diakonia.”  I noticed that there is a very real awareness of the fact that “human beings fall short of the ideal” (Johnson, 240).  This is especially relevant given the issues with priests and the abuse scandals that have emerged lately.  Though this does not excuse any poor judgment or behavior on the part of priests, I think it brings just attention to the fact that none of us can be expected to be perfect.  The right steps must be taken to heal the wounded hearts of the victims and to heal the Church. 

The sacrament of marriage as explained by Ignatius of Antioch is one that “follows God’s will and not the promptings of lust” (Vorgrimler, 292).   I also appreciate the understanding of viewing marriage as “a sacred sign of a sacred thing, namely of union of Christ and the Church” (Vorgrimler, 292).   I am currently at a time in my life where my friends are getting married and with each wedding I attend, I contemplate marriage as a sacrament.  It really is a beautiful celebration and I am happy that it acts as a sign of love, fidelity, and God’s will.   It saddens me to think about how often marriages end in divorce.  Of the many reasons for divorce could one of them be that the marriage was not God’s will in the first place?  What other factors go into separating what God has joined?  I know that many students I teach deal with divorce and I wonder how they might view marriage as a sacrament.

Real Presence

Dear Class,

“Among the seven sacraments of the Church, the Eucharist has the highest place.” This statement serves as the introduction to the readings this week and sets the tone for this grandest of inquiries. In an attempt not to become mired in the centuries of divergent conceptualizations, let us lean into the Vatican II constitution which expresses the sacred mystery as, “a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a paschal banquet in which Christ is received, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us” (Chapter II, 47). For me, when I am truly present to even the smallest degree of this reality, then the illusion, the walls of separation–created by the policies of men–come crumbling down. The Bad News is that none of us is worthy; the Good News is that it is okay! Jesus broke bread with the sinners and Christ continues to do so today. Vogrimler underscores this as he elucidates, “The presence of the triune God is a real presence…this presence of God cannot be comprehended in ideas of space and time…On the basis of biblical testimonies about God, Christian faith speaks of God as spirit of pneuma…God’s presence for us is thus a pneumatic presence.” He goes on to reveal that “It is fundamental to Christian faith, and thus also to the faithful preconditions for the Eucharist, that God’s presence is only evident for us through God’s holy pnuema, the divine Spirit. This Spirit is to be sought…in the innermost depths of our ‘hearts’. There, through the Spirit, and not through our own effort or achievement, occurs that opening, that disclosure that we call ‘faith,’ and that indwelling of God is a union or communio that cannot be described in words” (134, 135).

From the Father, through the Son, through the Holy Spirit, throughout the Mystical Body of Christ, permeating the miraculously inclusive universe of a mystery that is beyond time and space.  

My sisters in Him, I am prepared to discuss with you any of the particulars involving the origins and evolutionary historicity of divergent doctrines concerning the Lord’s Supper, but find myself infinitely more interested in the sharing of your existential experiences with this ineffable encounter.       

Baptism and Confirmation

The sacrament of baptism, according to Vorgrimler, “is a truly fundamental event, it is not restricted to a momentary action, but lasts throughout a lifetime” (107). Vorgrimler describes the baptismal call as” sharing in Christ’s destiny”.  This description of baptism rings true to me and leads me to wonder how I am living out my baptismal calling of sharing in Christ’s mission. How am I working to bring about the Kingdom of God here on earth as a part of my baptismal calling? How am I calling others to join with me as Church in bringing about the Kingdom of God?

        In the section on the baptism of children, I find it really beautiful that baptism is an even t in which the Church intercedes with a petition on behalf of the child being baptized. “..When a child is baptized the Church’s petition intercedes for the child in order that, when it comes to the age of decision, it may choose the way of Jesus Christ” (116). I think this is a wonderful way for the Church to come together and pray for new members of the Church. I have noticed that many baptisms now are done after the mass rather than during the mass. I am wondering why that is, and what has caused this change? It seems that baptism is a sacrament that can truly bring the community together.  “The ecumenical movement that has emerged more and more strongly since 1910 has made clear that baptism is not so much a meager remnant of unity as it is the expression of an existing community in faith and a promising beginning” (Vorgrimler 117). I have gained a new understanding of baptism through this chapter. I have been reminded of our unity with Christ through our baptismal calling and the importance of living out that baptismal call through words and actions, as well as through the way I respond to others.

Liturgy, Symbol and Ritual-

Beautiful picture Walter- Thanks for sharing!  Wish I would have taken a picture of that! :-(

Simonne... you are so right about the fact that we as Christians almost lose the real meaning of why we are here and who we are called to be.  If we could all come together in one accord with an understanding that we all have the same mission, it might just be with different approaches... (whether doctrine, rituals, etc.), how much more unified would we be as "THE" body of Christ?  A song comes to mind when thinking of this... "I pray for you, you pray for me, we're all a part of God's body... I want harm you with words from my mouth, I love you, I need you to survive."  (singing as I type) :-)  We all need each other, no matter the denomination, no matter the "rituals" we participate in... We just simply need the BODY.

One way liturgy is defined is service and is represented in many ways.  A few being symbols and rituals.  Symbol kindles relationship as shown in Hebrews 4:12, "The word of God is living and ACTIVE, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart," and in John 6:52-66, "in the liturgy God speaks to his people and Christ still proclaims his gospel." Symbols can unite or separate.
Chupungco states, "When applied to the liturgy, language denotes the entire system of signs and symbols, words and speech or song, moments of silence, gestures or postures, sacred images or icons, and some material elements of biblical origin, such as water, bread, wine, and oil, with which the Church celebrates the saving mystery of Christ.  In a broad sense the totality of this type of "language" is called ritual because it refers to rites or to the prescribed system governing the words, actions, and material things needed for a ceremony."  People tend to use the word "ritual," loosely, although "ritual" in itself is always something special, no matter if it is performed daily, several times a day, or once a week, etc.
Along with other Christians, for me, participating in the Eucharist is a symbol of Jesus' body and the blood that washes and cleanses us from within and a ritual that I partake in often.  Another song... "Who can wash away my sins, nothing but the blood of Jesus."  Liturgy calls us to be active, yet if not in tune with the Holy Spirit, these symbols and rituals can separate rather than unite us with other relationships.

Board of Worship

Dear Class,

As you know from last week, I was knocked out by the beautiful contributions describing what worship means to each of us. This portrait reminds and refreshes the diverse beauty of this sacred, liminal space whereby we encounter the Presence. Take a deep breath and take it in. Pax.

Liturgy, Symbol, and Ritual

Good evening guys,

I'll begin this blog with words from Taft when he wrote, "Liturgy is not a thing but a meeting of persons, the celebration of and the expression of an experiential relationship: our relation to God and to one another in Christ through the Spirit. The Holy Spirit, then, is the enabler of Christian worship" (Taft, 197). So often people of God get caught up in our own power, to which there is none without God, we seem to forget that it is through the Holy Spirit we are able to communicate directly to God; without interference from the "enemy". The bible says in John 4:24, "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth". We need the presence of the Holy Spirit in order to ensure that our service is fit for God to be a part of. This is probably one of the most important aspects of any church I call home (the presence of the Holy Spirit).

          I had an idea about why it seems people get confused about the Sacraments, and how it relates to society as a whole; it may be the use of the term rituals. We sometimes forget that not all rituals are associated to the occult or some form of witchcraft. By simply sharing the Eucharist, we participate in a ritual of remembrance of the last supper. We are reminded everytime we partake in Holy Communion, of how Christ died for the remission of our sins. The book, Ritual and Verbal Image, written by David Power has a passage which states, "In this century, a greater distinction must be made between acts of Christian worship and those rituals, formal or informal, whereby members of the churches effect their relations to the body social and politic" (Power, pg. 190). This equates to the passage in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that reads, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land".

            In other words, Christians have to come together on one accord, not focusing on whether or not one is Episcopalian or Methodist, and make our works be about the Holy Trinity. The world is in the state it's in because the people of God cannot agree upon how we should best serve Him. I'm ranting now guys, what do y'all think?

Liturgy, Symbol and Ritual

Hi Saints of God,

            I read only a portion of Moe’s post, because for some odd reason, I cannot pull it up in its entirety. However, I did have the pleasure of reading Carly’s post, and am able I think to understand a little more of what Moe stated. For me, Sundays are not enough, but it is a good start. I am at a place in my relationship with God, where I need Him every hour. My worship is unrelenting, and my praise a necessary action for my day to have any semblance of normalcy. Chupungco put it best when he wrote, “Liturgy is the action of Christ and the Church” (Chupungco, 31). Now I know he may have meant the physical buildings of brick and mortar, but I see the “Church” as the people of God as well. My worship is personal. Considering all that I am going through at this moment in my life, it is imperative for me to praise God through my circumstance, and worship Him for all He has done for me and my family, as well as what he continues to do.

            Carly hit upon a point I was leading up to when she wrote about Vorgrimler’s explanation about grace from God. God’s grace has sustained me thus far, and shall continue to carry me over this rough patch in my life. In response to Moe’s question, I pray that my understanding of it is correct (using Carly’s response as a guide). I have understood for some time now that it is through my praises and true worshipping of God our Father, His grace is continually upon me. As for my ministry, I will better be able to explain that we worship God through the Sacraments and Liturgy. There is a particular song I use to praise God with entitled “One God”, by Maurette Brown Clark, and to jump start my worship session, I use “Because of Who You Are”, by Vicki Yohe.