The Sacraments of the Church, Holy Baptism and Holy Communion,  are vital when we consider apologetics and witness.  In his First Apology, Justin Martyr describes what Christians do when they gather on the first day of the week–they celebrate the Eucahrist. The Eucharist is central to all liturgical churches.  A repeated celebration of the Sacrament of the Altar, or the Holy Eucharist,  happens according to Jesus’ command at the Last Supper to “do this in remembrance of me.”  In it, we not only remember Christ’s sacrificial death but encounter and participate in the resurrected Christ in His glorified body when we eat the bread and wine. He’s present in a special way, that is, through visible signs,  in both body and soul.  We are not lifted to heaven, for the God-Man is present everywhere. The meal is not simply repeated in an obedience to a command, although this is true.  The bread and wine are more than a reminder of the Christ who is not present; the celebration is a reminder that Christ is present.  In the Sacrament our sins are forgiven.  In it, we are directed to the eschatological (pertaining to the last things) fulfillment in the resurrection of the dead.  Maranatha is Aramaic for “come Lord Jesus!”  In the banquet in heaven we will see God face to face, that is, as much as we are able to see Him face to face.  “Christ has died.  Christ is risen.  Christ will come again.”  Those who are baptized with water in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit are invited to the table.

In our apologetics we must explain the Holy Sacraments to others.  In our witness we are to call those outside the Church to come and taste of the meal after receiving Holy Baptism, if they have not already.  Eucharistic imagery is part of our apology and witness.  The Eucharist, Holy Communion, is not to be set aside in our proclamation.  We must lead people to understand  the central importance of the Sacraments.  They go together with the preaching of the Word.  The preaching of the Word brings Christ’s presence to people without physical signs.  So, Word and Sacrament describe the worship of the Church.  All non-eucharistic services of the Church are modes of presenting the Word of God.

The Sacraments are called Mysteries.   They are not so; because, they are hidden from the public.  They are not.  They are called Mysteries because of their great and awesome power to bring people into God’s presence for the forgiveness of sin, life, and salvation.

Let us respect these Holy Mysteries for our salvation and the salvation of the world.

 

Michael G. Tavella

September 21, 2024

Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist