The first Sacrament is the Sacrament of Baptism. Bap-
tism signifies two things, death to the physical world and
rebirth in Christ. The Church teaches that an indelible mark
is placed on our soul that indicates that we belong to Christ.
Through the waters of Baptism, we are cleansed from per-
sonal sin and also of the original sin that we inherit from
Adam and Eve.
When the sacrament of Baptism occurs we are wel-
comed into Christ's family. In life, as children, we learn and
grow as humans, by the waters of Baptism, we become
children of Christ and as such we begin the process of
growing in Him.
Just as in life we are born to our physical parents, in
Baptism, we also are received by our Godparents. These
special parents are there to help us in our spiritual growth.
By the Sacrament of Baptism, we are given the gift of life
in Christ and our first reason to have an Attitude of Gratitude.
Have you ever noticed that God created the world in seven days and that there are seven Sacraments of the Church?
Furthermore, if you compare the seven sacraments to our lives, you will recognize that there are seven stages or needs of our physical lives. Each of these stages aligns with one of the seven sacraments!
The word sacrament means oath, it is a stronger form of commitment than just a promise. Through the oaths of each sacrament, we receive a special grace of God. Through the sacraments we are strenghtened so that we may live out our lives as Christians.
The Sacraments are outward signs, instituted by Christ which when properly administered and received infuse us with God's grace. The seven sacraments are Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anouinting of the Sick, Marriage and Holy Orders.
Over the next several weeks, we will unfold the Seven Sacraments of the Church and how each of the Sacraments helps us grow our Attitude of Gratitude.
As Christians we are called to be Christ to others and see Christ in others. But as humans we often fall short of this standard. Our fallen nature makes it difficult to live up to the example of Christ.
The way that we are enabled to be Christ to others is by our reception of God's grace in the seven sacraments. Each sacrament is a way for us to be infused with God's grace, truly becoming one with Christ.
But internalizing the grace of God, isn't sufficient. We must also emulate Christ in our interactions with other people. By serving others, we become the Hands of Christ and we serve Christ as He is present in them.
Humans are a unique creation of God. We are both Spirit and Physical. By full participation in the seven sacraments and by becoming the Hands of Christ to others, we allow the fullness of our human nature to demonstrate our Attitude of Gratitude towards God.
A little over 2000 years ago, a teenaged girl said "Yes" to God's call, and the world changed. No one recalls her special skills, talents, or wealth, but all humanity is indebted to her, just for saying "Yes" to God.
When she said "Yes" she lived out the remainder of her life as a mother, raising and teaching her child, caring and tending to him, and later to his friends. She helped him grow to become the man that God intended him to be. She watched him as he shouldered his responsibilities and as he suffered and died. She fulfilled her "Yes" by just being a good mother.
This month, we celebrate "Mary's Month." This month, do a little extra in prayer, in service, in almsgiving. When you do these things, you say "Yes" to God's call. Follow the example of that teenaged girl and how she lived out her Attitude of Gratitude. Say "Yes" to God and help Him change the world.