Sacraments and Human Nature

          "The Sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us" (CCC 1131). These Sacraments are often called "the holy mysteries" because a mystery is something that is sacred and hidden. In our human nature, we always desire to discover the truth to any and all mysteries we encounter, and the Sacraments are one of the greatest mysteries of all. Through the Sacraments we receive the grace of God through the power of the Holy Spirit and the authority of the Church, which was given to the Church (and founded by) Christ. There are three main aspects to a Sacrament that make it what it is. First, a Sacrament is a sign since it shows something invisible that is real. One example is Baptism, in which the water being poured over the person's head represents the cleansing of sins. In human nature, it is hard for us to believe something we cannot see, just like Doubting Thomas, who did not believe Jesus Christ had risen from the dead. Likewise, the Sacraments being a sign make it easier for us to understand what is taking place. Second, a Sacrament is a sign of grace because we receive the divine life through the Sacraments. By receiving a Sacrament, we receive grace from God and become closer in communion with him. Depending on how open we are to receiving the Sacrament, we receive more grace from God and are more fully able to live a Christ-like life. Third, a Sacrament is an efficacious sign of grace, meaning that it brings about what it signifies. When receiving a Sacrament, the grace comes directly from Christ and not from the priest or minister. By our human nature, we are enlightened when we receive grace from God and it becomes more clearly shown to us through the signs of the Sacraments.