Sacraments Introduction Flashcards
What command did Jesus give to his disciples at the moment of his Ascension into Heaven?
Jesus commanded that they spread the good news and also commanded the apostles to baptize.
What is Grace?
Is the gift given to us by God. It is the active power of love that wishes to intercede in our lives and help us live the Christian life.
How were Adam and Eve different from the rest of God’s creations?
They were made in his image and likeness and possessed intelligence and free will.
What was the implication of Adam and Eve’s choice to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil?
They became the arbiters of good and evil. They also ruptured friendship with God and disrupted the harmony of creation.
Describe the ways God intervened in the lives of the faithful before Christ.
Through physical signs, such as covenants to prepare for Jesus and through prophets to keep the people on the right path.
List three examples in which God manifested himself to man through physical objects.
(1) Noah and the rainbow
(2) Abraham and circumcision
(3) Moses and the tablets
Significance of Noah and the rainbow.
A sign God would never destroy mankind.
Significance of Abraham and circumcision.
Everlasting covenant.
Significance of Moses and the tablets.
Represented our relationship with God and one another.
Why did God chose to manifest himself to man through physical objects?
So that he could appeal to our five senses since we are material beings.
What does it mean that Christ is a living sacrament?
Because it is only through him that we can receive God’s grace.
How do the sacraments resemble Christ’s ministry on earth?
Christ acts through sacraments in the world and they continue on.
How did the Apostles initially react after Christ’s ascension?
They were unsure and frightened.
How and when did the Apostles attitudes change?
Their attitude changed when God intervened sending the Holy Spirit which gave them courage.
What role does the Catholic church play in continuing the sacraments?
The Catholic church conveys the grace of God through the sacraments.
What is the origin of the word sacrament?
Derived from the Latin word “sacramentum” meaning an oath.
Why are signs important in how we understand the world?
They are used to communicate and understand the world.
How do sacraments fulfill the role of a sign or symbol?
They are material things used to channel God’s grace.
What does it mean that sacraments are efficacious?
They bring about something that was not present before.
How is Christ at work in the sacraments?
Christ is the primary minister of the sacraments, he acts through them to communicate God’s grace.
What is sanctifying grace?
It establishes us in permanent disposition to live and act in keeping with God’s call.
What is actual grace?
Is given to us overtimes God wishes us to do good work or to overcome a temptation to do wrong.
Why is sanctifying grace also called habitual grace?
Because this grace is a habitual gift and establishes the permanent disposition.
Describe the three divine calls associated with the sacraments.
(1) Personal Holiness
(2) Worship
(3) Correct Moral Attitude
Personal Holiness
to accomplish a mission know to God (baptism, eucharist, confirmation)
Worship
to receive God’s graces
Correct Moral Attitude
Instructs Catholics about the will of Christ concerning moral choices.
What three common elements do the sacrament share?
(1) Matter
(2) Minister
(3) Form
How matter, minister and form are viewed in Baptism?
Matter- the water
Minister- priest, bishop
Form- the prayer
What does it mean to receive the sacraments with a proper disposition?
We must not only have the intentions to receive the promised grace, but be in the proper spiritual condition.
Why is it important to receive the sacraments with a proper disposition?
So that we can freely participate in God’s salvation.
