AUGISTINE 2
LESSON 10 – The Sacramental Celebration of the Paschal Mystery
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, learner will be able to :
1. Explain the sacramental practices in the
church as rooted in the economy of salvation
2. Admit the need for personal transformation
through sacramental grace
3. Undergo a personal examination of conscience
that proceeds to the sacramental confession
and the Holy Communion.
Biblical Text
“He himself bore our
sins in his body on the
tree, so that we might
die to sin and live for
righteousness. By his
wounds you have been
healed.”
1 Peter 2:24 (NIV):
Text analysis
The Apostle Peter is writing to early Christian believers,
encouraging them in their faith and reminding them of
the significance of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice.
1."He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree“
This phrase refers to Jesus Christ carrying the sins of the world
on the cross. In Christian theology, this is a reference to the
crucifixion, where Jesus took upon Himself the sins of humanity.
The word “bore” conveys the idea of carrying or taking on a
burden. Here, it signifies that Jesus took on the burden of
humanity’s sins.
Text analysis
2."so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness"
• This part of the verse explains the purpose of Jesus’ sacrifice. By
dying on the cross, He made it possible for people to break free
from the power of sin.
• The phrase “die to sin” means to be liberated from the control
of sin. It suggests a transformative death, where one’s previous
life of sin is ended.
• “Live for righteousness” means to live a life aligned with God’s
will and teachings, which are just and holy.
Text analysis
3."By his wounds you have been healed"
• The word “wounds” refers to the physical injuries
Jesus suffered during His crucifixion, including the
nails and spear that pierced His body.
• Theverb “have been healed” indicates that through
these wounds, believers receive spiritual healing. This
healing is not just physical but primarily spiritual,
meaning that the effects of sin are forgiven and
reconciled through Jesus’ suffering.
Meaning Application
1 Peter 2:24 emphasizes that • For believers, this verse
Jesus’ death on the cross was serves as a reminder of the
a deliberate act to bear the profound love and sacrifice
sins of the world, allowing of Jesus Christ.
humanity to be freed from sin • It encourages Christians to
and to live according to God’s live righteously and to trust
righteousness. The verse also in the healing and
highlights the healing that forgiveness offered through
comes through Jesus’ wounds, Jesus’ death and
resurrection.
signifying the transformative
power of His sacrifice.
The practices of the Catholic Church that are deeply rooted in
the concept of the "economy of salvation,"
KEY PRACTICES
LESSON 10 – The Sacramental Celebration of the Paschal Mystery
1. Sacraments
The seven sacraments (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation,
Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, and Holy Orders) are seen as channels of
God's grace and essential for salvation. They are rituals that symbolize and
confer the spiritual benefits necessary for eternal life.
These are sacred rituals that confer God’s grace. For example, Baptism
initiates a person into the Christian community and cleanses them from
original sin. The Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is a central practice where
believers partake in the body and blood of Jesus, remembering His sacrifice
and receiving spiritual nourishment.
CCC 1279: “The Church, which is the Body of Christ, is the storehouse of the
graces of all the sacraments. Through the Church, the grace of the sacraments
flows into the souls of the faithful.”
2. Liturgical Celebrations
The Mass and other liturgical celebrations are central to Catholic
worship. The Eucharistic celebration, in particular,
commemorates the sacrifice of Christ and is considered a
participation in the body and blood of Jesus, which is essential for
salvation.
The Mass is the primary liturgical celebration in the Catholic
Church, where the Eucharist takes place. It is a communal act of
worship that includes readings from the Scriptures, prayers, and
the consecration of bread and wine. This celebration is seen as a
participation in Christ’s sacrifice and a means of receiving His
grace.
3. Prayer and Devotion
Practices such as the Rosary, novenas, and personal prayer life
are encouraged as means of deepening one's relationship with
God and seeking His grace. These practices are rooted in the
belief that prayer is a key component of the economy of salvation.
Catholics are encouraged to pray regularly, using tools like the
Rosary, which is a form of meditation on the mysteries of the life
of Jesus and Mary. Personal prayer and devotion help individuals
grow closer to God and seek His help and grace in their daily
lives.
4. Moral Theology
The Catholic Church teaches that living a moral life in
accordance with God's commandments is essential for salvation.
This includes the practice of virtues such as charity, humility,
and justice.
Living according to God’s commandments is essential for
salvation. This includes practicing virtues such as love, humility,
and justice. The Church provides guidance on moral issues
through teachings and catechesis.
5. Catechesis and Education
The Church emphasizes the importance of education in faith,
both catechesis for children and ongoing formation for adults.
This education helps individuals understand and live out their
faith more fully.
Education in the faith is crucial. Catechesis for children and
ongoing formation for adults help people understand and live out
their faith. This education helps individuals discern God’s will
and respond to His grace effectively.
6. Acts of Mercy
The Church encourages acts of charity and mercy, such as
helping the poor, visiting the sick, and forgiving others. These
actions reflect Christ's teachings and are seen as part of the path
to salvation.
Helping those in need, such as the poor and sick, is an important
part of Christian life. These acts reflect Christ’s teachings and
are seen as practical expressions of love and compassion, which
are essential for salvation.
7. Penance and Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a critical practice
for healing and restoring one's relationship with God
and the Church after sin. It is an essential aspect of the
economy of salvation.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a key practice for
healing after sin. It involves confessing sins to a priest
and receiving absolution, which restores one’s
relationship with God and the Church.
8. Veneration of Saints
The Catholic Church venerates saints and seeks their
intercession with God. This practice is based on the
belief that the saints, having achieved heaven, can pray
for the living and assist in their journey toward
salvation.
The Church honors saints who have achieved heaven
and can intercede with God on behalf of the living.
Praying to saints seeks their help and asks for their
intercession in one’s journey toward salvation.
9. Missionary Work
The Church's mission to evangelize and spread the Gospel is rooted in the
Great Commission given by Christ. Sharing the message of salvation is a
fundamental practice of the Church.
Spreading the message of the Gospel is a fundamental practice. Missionaries
share the teachings of Jesus and invite people to enter into the economy of
salvation through faith in Christ.
CCC 853: "The Church, by her very nature, is missionary. She is not merely a
human society, but the sign and instrument of a divine mystery. She transmits
and bears witness to the mystery of the Incarnation, Resurrection, and the
coming of the Kingdom of God summary, the CCC teaches that the practice of
the Catholic Church is an “economy of salvation” because it administers the
means of grace through the sacraments, provides moral guidance, fosters
community, and carries evangelization. All these aspects work together to
guide the faithful towards eternal life with God.
10. Community Life
The Church fosters a sense of community among its members, emphasizing
the importance of fellowship, support, and mutual care. This communal life is
seen as essential for spiritual growth and salvation.
Being part of a faith community provides support, fellowship, and mutual
care. The Church fosters these relationships, emphasizing that spiritual
growth and salvation occur within the context of a community.
This communal life is integral to the practice of the faith and the journey
towards salvation.
CCC 1327: “The Church is the community of faith, the unity of the faithful,
and the sacrament of unity. She is the Body of Christ and the Temple of the
Holy Spirit.”
Summary
These practices are all interconnected and reflect the Church's
understanding of how God's grace operates in the world to bring
about salvation.
the practices of the Catholic Church are designed to help
individuals encounter God’s grace, respond to it, and grow in
holiness. These practices are all interconnected and reflect the
Church’s understanding of how God’s plan for salvation is carried
out in the world.
St. Augustine’s
Writings that illustrate his teachings on the economy of salvation
• Augustine stressed that salvation is achieved through God’s
grace, which is received through faith. He believed that human
effort alone is insufficient for attaining eternal life. “For by
grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your
doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one
can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9, Augustine’s commentary)
• The Church is seen as the community through which God’s
grace is administered. It serves as the vessel through which
believers receive the sacraments and are guided towards
salvation. In his work “On the City of God,” Augustine describes
the Church as the “city of God,” contrasting it with the “city of
man.” The Church is the place where God’s people live in unity
and receive the means of salvation.
• Augustine taught that the sacraments are essential channels
through which God’s grace flows into the faithful. These
sacraments are necessary for the remission of sins and the
attainment of eternal life. “The sacraments are the channels
through which the grace of God flows into us. They are not the
grace itself, but the means by which we receive the grace.”
(Sermon 74)
• Augustine emphasized the importance of living a moral life in
accordance with God’s will as part of the sanctification process.
The Church provides guidance and support for this journey. “We
are called to be saints, not because we are good, but because we
are made holy by God’s grace. The Church helps us to live out
this calling by providing the means of grace and moral
instruction.” (Letters of Saint Augustine)
• Augustine believed that the ultimate goal of the economy of
salvation is to bring believers into the Kingdom of God, where
they will live eternally with God. “The economy of salvation is
directed towards the final goal of eternal life with God in the
Kingdom of Heaven. All the means of grace and the moral
guidance of the Church aim at this ultimate end.” (City of God,
Book 22)
• Augustine also stressed the importance of the Church’s mission
to spread the message of salvation to all nations. This mission is
part of the economy of salvation, as it seeks to bring more people
into the fold of Christ. “The Church is sent into the world to
preach the Gospel and to make disciples of all nations. This
mission is an integral part of the economy of salvation.” (Sermon
51)
Evaluation Questions
[Link] how the sacraments function as channels of grace and
are essential for the administration of salvation. Use specific
examples from the CCC to illustrate your point.
[Link] how the sacraments, the Church the distribution of
grace work together to achieve the ultimate goal of salvation,
which is eternal life with God.
[Link] why Saint Augustine stressed that salvation is
achieved through God’s grace,