Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
---|---|---|
Do the Sacraments continue in Heaven? | Leon | Friday, March 9, 2012 |
Question: Dear Bro. Ignatius, |
||
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r)
Dear Leon: The best one-liner definition of a Sacrament was given during a homily by the priest who received me into full communion into the Church. He said, "A Sacrament is an physical manifestion of an invisible reality." For example, the love between a man and woman is invisible, but we bring that love into a physical manifestation called the Sacrament of Marriage. In the Sacrament of Baptism, the new birth of the person and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is invisible, but made manifest by the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. The Sacrament of the Eucharist is also a physical manifestation of the invisible reality of the of the Body and Blood of our Lord in the Eucharist and in heaven. The Sacraments are dim images of the reality behind them. St. Paul tells us, (1 Cor 13:12) "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood." The Catechism states, quoting from Scripture (Luke 22:19):
In heaven all is revealed, we will see things clearly for what they are. The invisible reality will no longer be invisible. Thus, the Sacraments, which are ordered to our earthly existence, are not needed in heaven. We will not have to "remember" Jesus because we will see him personally face-to-face in heaven. In addition, Jesus told us to remember him in the Eucharist "until he comes". That means, until the Second Coming of Christ, when all things invisible will be made manifest. God Bless, Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum
|