EFFECTIVE SIGNS

By Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres (1780–1867)

"What was visible in our Savior has passed over into his mysteries." - St. Leo the Great

Read:
Ephesians 3:1-12
Psalm 116
John 15:1-11

Study:
1) Handouts:
God’s Plan of Salvation; The Sacramental Economy; The Catholic Family; The Disciple of Christ; Sacramental Living; Sacraments: God Uses the Material World to Sanctify Us; Sacramentals

2) 3MC:
35 – How do we receive Grace?

3) CCC 1-2, 168-169, 257-260, 1076-1130, 1324-1327, 1378-1398, 1457-1458, 1655-1657, 1674-1676, 2030, 2685, 2691 (YOUCAT 170 - 178)

Meditate:
If the sacraments are God's masterworks, how then should I approach them? What does it mean to say that the sacraments are the way that God brings us into a relationship with Him? How and why did God choose to bring us His salvation through the Church in His sacraments? What does it mean to share in the Divine Life? If I am looking forward to receiving the sacraments, how can I prepare and in what ways is God helping me? If I have already received a sacrament, how can I benefit from it's effects?

Pray:
Father, we thank you that we can participate in your divine life through your Son in the Holy Spirit poured out to us in the work of your sacraments administered by your Holy Church. Amen

Imitate:
St. Alphonsus Liguori

Apply:
If I am a member of the Catholic Church, do I frequently seek to strengthen my relationship with God through frequent reception of the sacraments (Confession and Holy Communion)? If I am anticipating membership in the Catholic Church, am I making sufficient preparation to receive the sacraments? Do I have a genuine faith? Am I really repentant of my sins?

Extra:
Catholic Encyclopedia: Sacraments
Catholic Encyclopedia: Sacramentals
Outside da Box: The Seven Sacraments
Elements of the Catholic Mass: Sacramental Signs

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How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
(Psalm 116)