Reconcilliation and Anointing the sick and Marriage and Holy Orders - Assignment Example

Questions Lesson Nine: Question Sacrament of Reconciliation. The sacrament of reconciliation consists of prayer, confession, and penance. Prayer involves a situation whereby an individual communicates with God, and it normally occurs because of one’s exposure to the word of God. Confession is a sign of humility, and it involves acknowledging the sins of an individual and confessing them to the priest (Catechism of Catholic Church, 22). This is because the priest is a representative of Christ. With a sincere confession, God will most definitely forgive us. This forgiveness is able to free us, from the guilt of our past sins. No matter how grievous they were. Penance is another matter and form of reconciliation (Cessario, 29). This involves engaging in activities aimed at glorifying God. These activities include helping the poor, preaching the gospel, sharing our resources. Reconciliation has an effect of comforting and liberating people from sin. Question 2: Sacrament of Reconciliation after Baptism: The reason of having baptism before reconciliation is based on the fact that baptism is the beginning of Christian life. People would continue sinning, despite receiving baptism, and hence they would need to be reconciled to God. This is better depicted in the book of Corinthians chapter 6, whereby they continued to sin, despite receiving the sacrament of Baptism (Catechism of Catholic Church, 5). During baptism, an individual would receive the divine nature of God, and this is reinforced by the fact that God will receive their confessions and activities of penance after baptism. These are important elements of sacrament of reconciliation. The Eucharist is an important spiritual and physical activity that symbolizes the belief an individual has towards Christ. While participating in the Eucharist, an individual has to be holy. This holiness is received through the sacrament of reconciliation (Kendzia, 1). Question Three: Sacrament of anointing the sick: Christ is the divine healer, and physical sickness is associated with sin. As the creator of mankind, God knows the health of every human being, and how to correct their poor health (Catechism of Catholic Church, 27). When engaging in sinful activities, we reject our true identity that is our likeness to God. God is Holy, and cannot tolerate sin (Engebretson and Ann, 38). On this basis, for a sick person to receive the anointing of sickness, he or she must confess their sins, and live right with God. A holy and a pure life is the beginning of an individual’s recovery from sickness. Through a holy and a pure life, we shall experience the grace and love of God, which also comes through healing (Catechism of Catholic Church, 15). The use of oil to anoint the sick is a symbol of God’s power to heal. Question Four: Effect of Sacrament of Anointing: Sacrament of anointing has an effect of imparting spiritual gifts to an individual before they die. These gifts are strength, peace and courage. At the end of an individual’s life, people are always discouraged because they do not know what awaits them at the end of their lives. The impartation of these gifts is an important method of making sure that they overcome their uncertainties (Catechism of Catholic Church, 19). Furthermore, the anointing helps to ensure that these people receive the forgiveness of sin, and hence the healing of their soul. This is because at the end of an individual’s life, they need to be pure and clean from sin, as it is a guarantee that they will enter heaven (Johnson, 29). It has an impact of creating peace within an individual. This is because it prepares them for death. It is a reminder to people that even though they die, their lives is in the hands of Christ. This Christ was able to defeat death, and their situation will only be temporary, because God has power over death. Furthermore, they acquire this peace because of the belief that the anointing has prepared them to enter the kingdom of God (Catechism of Catholic Church, 17). This therefore brings us to the concept of the Viaticum, which is the Holy Communion an individual receives before his or her death. The Viaticum aims at preparing an individual to their eternal life. This is because it has an effect of making them to be at peace during the time of their death. Question Five: Meaning of Sin: Sin is going against the laws of God. Laws reflect the morality of God, and that is the reason He is established them (Catechism of Catholic Church, 33). Laws are a reflection of God’s character, and His holiness. Sin is also a spiritual illness. The sacrament of healing identifies two types of healing, that is physical and spiritual healing. Sin results to physical diseases. This is only healed through the sacrament of reconciliation. Lesson Ten: Question One: At the Service of Communion: Communion refers to the unity between mankind and God. It can also refer to the relationship that exists between mankind. Sacrament of communion is therefore a relationship that an individual seeks to create with God (Catechism of Catholic Church, 21). Question Two: Matter, Form, and Ordinary Minister: Marriage is an example of the sacrament of matrimony. Marriage consists of a man and a woman. The two are joined together, and they become one. The Bishop or the priest is responsible for administering the sacrament of marriage. Prayer is an essential component of this sacrament of marriage (Catechism of Catholic Church, 29). Marriage is also a symbol of love. This is because a man and a woman live together because of love. God is also Love, and marriage reflects this love of God. In a marriage, there must be witnesses, and their role is to act as a proof that marriage exists. Question Three: Consent: The covenant of marriage exists between a male and a female person. For the marriage to exist, there must be consent, and the parties making the consent should not do so under pressure or manipulation. Without consent, marriage does not exist (Catechism of Catholic Church, 37). The church has the responsibility of examining factors that may make marriage to be dissolute. The ecclesiastical tribunal is the body responsible for investigating the validity of a marriage. It is the responsibility of the priest to accept or reject the consent of spouses during the marriage ceremony. In a marriage ceremony there must be witnesses, who are there to witness the consent of the two parties. Question Four: Holy Orders. It is the responsibility of the priest to bring order in the world. This is because the priest is a representation of Christ here on earth. This is the reason why priests normally receive the sacrament of reconciliation. This has an effect of bringing order to the church. The work of the priest is therefore very important, as it ordained by God. The indeliable mark received during ordination is a sign that the priest is a servant of God, and a representative of Christ here on earth. Question Five: Relationship between Priest, Christ and People of God. Priests create the relationship with Christ through supplications and prayer. He also has the responsibility of interceding for others, on behalf of God. Priests have the responsibility of leading religious celebrations such as the Eucharist’s (Catechism of Catholic Church, 22). Priests also have the duty of interceding for others. This is praying to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of their sins. Therefore, priests have a duty of leading Christians in confessing their sins. Works Cited: Bloesch, Donald G.. The Church: sacraments, worship, ministry, mission. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2002. Print. Cessario, Romanus. Ressourcement Thomism sacred doctrine, the Sacraments, and the moral life : essays in honor of Romanus Cessario, O.P.. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press, 2010. Print. Catechism of Catholic Church. Liguori, MO: Liguori Publications, 1994. Print. Engebretson, Kathleen, and Ann Maree Pagon. To know, worship and love teaching companion. Melbourne: James Goold House, 2001. Print. Johnson, Maxwell E.. Sacraments and worship: the sources of Christian Theology. Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox Press, 2012. Print. Kendzia, Mary Carol. Catholic update guide to the sacraments of healing. Cincinnati, Ohio: Franciscan Media, 2012. Print. Read More