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Abusing the Sacraments
Song: Introduction And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. (Matthew 16:18). The Church has always been (and will always be) point of attack and criticism. Unfortunately some of her followers and even the ordained are not bearing good testimonies. Their lives are exact opposite of the teachings of the scriptures. They cannot transform their words into actions. There is a wide gap between what they say and what they do. The Sacraments The sacraments are efficacious (effective, powerful) signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, through which God lavishes upon us a share in his divine life. Jesus says: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10. The Church affirms that, for the believers, the sacraments are necessary for salvation. There are seven sacraments and they are: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony (Marriage). The sacraments are grouped into the sacraments ofChristian initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist), the sacraments of healing (Penance and the Anointing of the Sick), and those which are at the service of communion and mission of the faithful (Holy Orders and Matrimony [Marriage]). However, the Eucharist occupies a unique place in the sacramental system as the ‘Sacrament of sacraments’ since it contains the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself. For this reason all other sacraments are related to it as to their centre. Baptism: 3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." (John 3:3). The Baptism of Jesus 13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness." Then John consented. 16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:13-17). Confirmation: "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” (Joel 2:28). “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever.” (John 14:16). Holy Eucharist: 35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:356). Penance: 21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." (John 20:21-23). Anointing of the Sick: 14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. (James 5:14-15). Holy Order: 26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are. 27Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife. 28But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. 29What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; 30those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. 32I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs—how he can please the Lord. (1 Corinthians 7:26-32). Matrimony: “Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." (Mark 10:9). “So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." (Matthew 19:6). John chapter 2: wedding at Cana The commonly abused Sacraments Penance: This sacrament is also called the sacrament of Conversion, of Confession, and of Reconciliation. Remember you are not destined to die or continue a life of sin: “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—“ Ephesians 1:4 The scripture says: “ And he said to man, 'The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.' " Job 28:28. 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). So do not take this sacrament as a license to sin. The fact that your father is a medical doctor should not make you to go and drink poison or jump down from a 10-storey building; you might not be alive to receive treatment from him. So also, avoid sin just in case you never make it (live to see) to the next confession. Yes no one is above sin but we should not remain in sin or continue sinning. “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,” (Hebrews 6:1). You can’t mock God: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” (Galatians 6:7). 1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? (Romans 6:1-2). Remember a big is always a pig - it returns to mud no matter how many times you bath it. Some sins actually are impromptu while others are planned. 22 Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and, "A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud." (2 Peter 2:22). Holy Eucharist: The Eucharist also called the Lord’s Supper, Breaking of Bread, Holy Communion, Holy Mass is the source and summit of the life of the Church, because in it Christ associates his Church and all her members with his own sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving offered to the Father once and for all on the cross. It is the life giving food for the Christian’s journey John chapter 6. Those who wish to receive Christ in Holy Communion worthily should be in a state of grace (1 Corinthians 11:23-32). Someone who is conscious of having sinned mortally should not receive the Eucharist without first having received absolution in the sacrament of Penance. 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 11:27-30). 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." (Luke 22:19). 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." (1 Corinthians 11:24). Do you remember the saving work of Christ on the cross each time you partake from his table? 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. (Luke 24:30-31). Are your spiritual eyes and hearts opened when you receive the Body and Blood of Christ? Conclusion: So let us be Catholics in sincerity and not just be name. Someone once said that: ‘Catholics are sacramentalised but not necessarily evangelised.’
God bless you Evang. John B. Oseh |