Sign, Symbol,

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Sign, Symbol, Sacrament

• A soldiers Story
• The account is a symbol of true friendship.
• The symbols of the Church are the sacraments.
• Sacraments, Church and Jesus are intimately
  related and all deal with making Gods love
  present and felt.

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Examples of Symbols

• The Flag
• Peace Sign
• Christmas Tree
• Water
• Light
• Uncle Sam
• The IRS
• The Color Black
• The Crucifix

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Create a Personal Coat of Arms

• Your idea of success
• Your concept of love
• Your most noteworthy achievement
• Your attitude toward Jesus
• The biggest obstacle that stands in the way of
  your growth.

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Signs vs. Symbols

• A sign can be anything that points to something
  else. For example, objects, words, actions, and
  even persons.
• Signs can be artificial or natural.
• Symbols are special signs that go beyond just
  pointing to something. Symbols are signs with
  deep meanings that are held consciously and
  subconsciously.

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Characteristics of Symbols

• Symbols reveal part of reality without
  communicating all of it.
• Symbols can reveal or conceal.
• Symbols bring about another reality without being
  identical to it.
• Symbols take time to develop and have many layers
  of meaning.

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Origin of the Word Sacrament

• Latin sacramentumused to translate the Greek
  word mystery.
• Romans believed sacrament meant bond or pledge
  of property in a contract
• Became the word to describe the Christian rite of
  initiation (baptism) to pledge themselves to
  Christ.

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St. Augustine5th Century

• New definition of Sacrament visible sign of an
  invisible reality, a visible sign of invisible
  grace.
• Grace definition A gift of divine life, the
  gift of Gods friendship. Sanctifying grace
  enables believers to live morally, good, holy
  lives.
• Sacrament is a symbol or image through which we
  can both PERCEIVE RECEIVE an INVISIBLE GRACE
• It signifies a sacred reality AND actually puts
  us in touch with it.

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Sacraments

• Speaks of the mystery of Gods love
• Represents a pledge to live a graced life
• Is a sacred, visible sign of invisible grace
• Is an efficacious symbol
• Jesus is the FIRST sacrament

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Churchs Definition of Sacrament and Teachings

• Sacred Signs and Actions of Jesus love and
  salvation that enable us to share in Gods life
  more deeply.
• They were instituted by Christ. They can all be
  traced to Him in Scripture.
• They are symbols of sacred realities.
• There 7 sacraments that confer grace.
• They do not depend on the intention or purity of
  the minister.