Unit Four, Assignment One: Two Major Sacraments

Take a moment to pray before you begin:

"God of steadfast love, I ask that you will help me to keep a focussed mind as I participate in the process leading to my Confirmation. As I begin this assignment now, help me to be aware of the presence of your Holy Spirit in this place where I work. Help me to recognize your strength and guidance. Help me to imitate Jesus that I may become more and more like him. Bless my family and friends, and thank you for the freedom to learn about and worship you. In Jesus' name I pray." Amen.

A number of years ago, some political activists in the United States burned a flag of the USA as a sign of protest. When they were questioned about their patriotism for doing something like this, they claimed their right to express themselves freely was protected under the Constitution. Ironically, the flag is a symbol of the Constitution; they were defending their right to burn the flag on the basis of what the flag represented.

What is a symbol, and how does it relate to two similary words: “sign” and “sacrament”?

A sign is an object that points to something beyond itself. On a summer day, when the leaves on a tree turn upward so that you can see their undersides, it is a sign that there is going to be a change in the weather – usually to rain. When you pull up to an intersection and see a red octagon with the word STOP, it is a sign that traffic may be coming and that you should come to a halt. When you walk into a neighbourhood where houses look rundown and garbage is lying around, it may be a sign of poverty. On the other hand, when you walk along a street where luxury cars stand in front of large and well-maintained homes, it may be a sign of wealth.

A symbol has worth in and of itself. We’ve already considered the example of a flag. It points to something beyond itself, but a flag is revered in way that an upturned leaf or a stop sign is not. A $20 bill is a symbol, not only of worth, but also of the strength of the government and economy it represents. It is against the law to destroy currency because our society expects it to be treated with respect.

A sacrament is a special kind of symbol. In the Anglican Church of Canada (as well as some others like the Roman Catholic Church) there are two major sacraments and five minor sacraments. All Christian churches acknowledge the two major sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist. Not all churches acknowledge the other five (even in some parts of the Anglican Communion worldwide).

A commonly used definition of the word sacrament is “an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.”

In Baptism, the outward and visible signs are: 1) water; 2) words spoken (“I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”); and 3) people gathered.

In Eucharist, the outward and visible signs are: 1) bread and wine; 2) words spoken (“Take, eat/drink, this is my Body/Blood which is given/shed for you. Whenever you do this, you do it in memory of me”); and 3) people gathered.

The inward grace in Baptism is the strengthening of the Holy Spirit. The inward grace in Eucharist is the presence of Christ in our midst.

In the next assignment we will look at the five minor sacraments. But today, please answer the following questions.

Assignment:

1) Please give an example of a “sign” and a “symbol” different from the examples given above, and justify why you believe they are a sign or symbol.

2) Describe in 75 words a personal experience of either Baptism or Eucharist that has been meaningful to you.

3) Go to Wikipedia and find a definition of grace. Paste it into your assignment, and give an example of how God’s grace works in real life.

Please contact me if you have any questions:

Kevin Dixon

kjdixon@shaw.ca