Sacraments a Rahner’s View...
We are sure,
that there have been a number of books, articles and journals written and
discussions and debates held over the issue called sin. Yet, the tension and
the misconception over this doctrine of Sin
were unresolved. However the authors, writers and scripture scholars have made
a genuine effort to shed light and remove the misunderstandings and
misconceptions over the years from a very realistic and convincing contemporary
approach. So, what is clear to us is that a single man’s sin is the sole
explanation for a condition of deprivation in every other human person? This is
purely from Christological point of view.[4]
In sin human is
brought lower state. The Latin term, peccatum
indicates a fall or ruin. Also the Sanskrit root, ped means to fall. In Hebrew, the most basic word used is revolt or transgression indicating the deliberate act of defiance against
God.[5] This
idea is very clear in the book of Genesis where the essential problem lies in
the desire of the humans to be like God. All sin is an act of idolatry, the
attempt to replace the Creator with someone or something else. Usually it will
be one’s own self or one’s own desire, or creation (Genesis 3:1-7).
So, sin is a
fall in the moral sense. It is a failure to be what one ought to be. It is losing
the way, straying from the right road, slipping away from the truth. When one
commits sin, one falls from his/her dignity or moral perfection; for we are all
created in the image and likeness of God. So, when we sin we disfigure the
image of God in us. This is exactly what I would like to draw our attention and
mind that in sin we disfigure our image that was created by God by our pure
choices and decisions. Hence, like in the Old Testament we know God promised
our first parents that he would not abandon them rather would send a saviour. We
know that it is Jesus the saviour and redeemer who can remove our guilt and sin
by his own blood and life. Jesus after his passion, death and resurrection he
sent his holy spirit to guide us and he instituted the sacraments to be with us
in a very divine and sublime way. What a love that God and Christ had for
humanity. Now let me explain the context of the theme, Sacraments from a Karl
Rahner’s view.
Sacraments:
A Karl Rahner’s View is the theme that I chose for myself learning and
understanding of the mysteries of the sacraments from a great theologian point
of view. As I begin to study and delve my theological explorations I
encountered this great man by name Karl Rahner, a great theologian of the 20th
century, whose contribution in the second Vatican council was enormous. Besides,
the reason for me to take this theme is that I realized how ignorant I was about
the sacraments and the sacramental grace all through my formative years. Therefore,
as I am preparing to become a priest I feel it is my duty and obligation to
know more about the sacraments. My initial study of sacraments tell that,
Rahner is one of the accepted protagonists of the renewal of Eucharistic
theology in the twentieth century, and an important figure during the second
Vatican council. I feel therefore, a journey into his mind can be a source of
guidance in the ongoing process of my theological learning and understanding.
Another aspect is that, the explanation of the seven sacraments tells that,
they all embrace the faithful equally in the mystical body of Christ Jesus, the
source and the summit of every sacrament.[6]
Hence, I deliberately chose this theme with a thought and purpose in
mind. In my early theological studies I began to develop a special admiration
for two great theologians of 21st century namely Karl Rahner and Henry
J. Newmen. Therefore, I deem it as my opportunity and privilege to delve over
the former’s contribution in the matters of sacraments for my better
understanding. All the more, it was Karl Rahner who made a systematic
contribution to the theological understanding of the Sacraments. His writings
tell us how there is a beautiful symbolic structure and meaning inherent in the
sacraments. Hence, doing a paper or a study on any of his notions will surely
be an insight. SC 59 articulates that the purpose of the sacraments is to
sanctify people, to build up the Body of Christ, and to give worship to God.
Thus the sacraments nourish, strengthen the faith of the people.[7]
This methodological paper unveils my
own pre-understanding over the classical theme the sacraments of course
directed from a particular point of view. Especially with this study and
research shed light on my misconception over this issue. To be clear about the
matter I did thought for a long time that the sacraments guarantee the grace
and was sure by mere physical participation and reception grace is bestowed.
And I was not sure of how the sacraments were understood and administered in
the pre-Vatican days. I feel it was unfortunate thing that could ever happen to
a young religious aspiring to become a priest for the people of God. So, it was
my ignorance and my thirst that impelled me to choose this theme and shed light
over my little knowledge or rather poor knowledge over the sacraments.
I, therefore feel that it is my
obligation and privilege to delve over this must and ought topic for a
religious like me, aspiring to follow Christ intensely. At this juncture I wish
to quote the words of St Jerome, “Ignorance of Scripture is Ignorance of Christ.”[8] Similarly
‘ignorance of the sacraments is ignorance of Christ.’[9] What
I would like to exhort is simple, that we specially, who aspire to follow Jesus
should posses Christ who is treasured in the sacraments. It is wonderful to
have the knowledge of Christ, from Scriptures, Revelations, and Testimonies and
more lucidly from the Sacraments. For, it was the will of Christ to come close
to us through the sacraments, to abide in our hearts and live in us.
CONCLUSION:
From
this paper on sacraments from Karl Rahner’s point of view is an eye opener for
me. This paper explains how the sacraments posses the grace of God. Karl Rahner
did accept and believe firmly that the sacraments are deeply rooted
theologically in the life and the service of the Church. The Church is endowed
with the grace of administering the seven vital actions of the sacred liturgy.
These seven sacraments are first of all efficacious in action and nature and
are the means of saving grace of Christ. However, the paper does not deal about
each sacrament in systematic way but rather sacraments in general from a
renowned theologian’s mind.
It is clearly
mentioned how the need and the necessity of the sacraments crept into human
history. Well, the introduction it is mentioned elaborately how first the sin
entered human history. Later how God willed to save the humanity from this
fallen state to restore and reassure his mercy and love for humanity whom He
did create in his own image and likeness. God, by sending his only son to live,
love and die for the humanity and resurrect from death and thus he assures life
in God. Christ thus, institutes the sacraments and he himself becomes a
sacrament of God and then institutes the Church as the sacrament of his grace.
This Karl Rahner calls as the saving plan of God. This is popularly known by
him as GUSW, God’s Universal Saving Will. What should surprise us over here is,
how is that the term Sacrament is not mentioned in the either of the
scriptures. This was keenly noted by Rahner. But Rahner says, that literally
that term is not found in the scriptures nut the nature of the term is
mentioned in the scriptures especially the ecclesial nature, the body of Christ
is very clear in this regard.[10]
At this juncture
I wish to quote the words of St Jerome, ‘if we Scripture, we the Christ’,
similarly ‘if we know the sacraments without doubt we the graces of ignorance
of Christ.’ By doing this paper I message that I received and what message that
I would like to drive home is, let us strive to posses Christ who is treasured
in the holy sacraments. My invitation and exhortation is especially for those
who aspire to follow and imitate Christ for life. Christ is waiting for us in
most humble and sublime form in the sacraments. I am sure that it is wonderful
to have the knowledge of Christ, from Scriptures, Revelations, and Testimonies
and more lucidly from the Sacraments. For, it was the will of Christ to come
close to us through the sacraments, to abide in our hearts.
[1] Naresh Neelam, “Two
Wolves,” http://nareshsdb.blogspot.com/2014/09/two-wolves-in-our-heart.html (November 3, 2015).
[2] Saying
[3] Saying
[4] James L. Connor,
“Original Sin: Contemporary Approaches,” Theological
Studies, 29, 2 (1968) 240-215.
[6]
Edmund Gomes, “General Sacramental Theology,” A Course on Sacraments in General (Sacred Heart Theological
College, Shillong, August, 2015) Unpublished Class Notes.
[7] The Constitution on
the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosanctum Concilium
(1963) 10, A. Flannery ed., Vatican
Council II: The Conciliar and Documents (Bombay: St Paul Publications,
1997).
[8] Dogmatic Constitution
on Divine Revelation Dei Verbum
(1965) 25, A. Flannery ed., Vatican
Council II: The Conciliar and post Conciliar Documents (Bombay: St: Paul
Publications, 1997), Abraham M. Antony, Apologetically
Yours: Towards a Persuasive Defence of the Christian Faith (Shillong:
Vendrame Institute Publications, 2015) 31-35. It is very important to read St
Jerome Commentary on Isaiah, 1.2.
[9] This is my personal
appeal to those who have poor attitude towards the sacraments due to ignorance
and negligence.
[10] Rahner, Encyclopedia of Theology, 1477.
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