Thought of the Day May 27, 2019 A bound sacrament.

By 9:38 AM

What is the meaning of Jesus's word to the Apostles in Acts 1:4-5?  "While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for 'the promise of the Father about which you  have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'" What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I want to paraphrase Fr. Raniero Cantalessa.  We believe that we can receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Orders only once. We profess this in the Creed concerning Baptism. Let us listen to Fr Cantelanessa:

"We believe that the Baptism in the Spirit makes real and revitalizes our Baptism. To understand how a sacrament which was received so many years ago, usually immediately after our birth, could suddenly come back to life and emanate so much energy, as often happens through the Baptism in the Spirit, it is important to look at our understanding of sacramental theology.


"Catholic theology recognizes the concept of a valid but bound sacrament. A sacrament is called bound if the fruit that should accompany it remains bound because of certain blocks that prevent its effectiveness. Extreme examples of this are the sacrament of Matrimony and Holy Orders received in the state of mortal sin. In such circumstances these sacraments cannot grant any grace to people until the obstacle of sin is removed through Penance. Once this happens, the sacrament is said to live again, thanks to the indelible character and irrevocability of the gift of God. God remains faithful even if we are unfaithful because He cannot deny Himself (see Tim. 2:1-3)."

Does this reflect our experience? Though we were baptized and confirmed, the full power of the gifts given to us at those times were not fully realized until a later date.









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