Church & Sacraments: Reflection of a Layman

by Prof. O. M. Mathew Oruvattithara

Introduction

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This verse, as everyone is well aware, is the opening one in the Gospel according to John. What did, does and will the 'Word' do for humanity? Opinions vary. One of the answers, however, is that the 'Word' was manifested, is being manifested and will be manifested through His Body, the Ecclesia or Church. Naturally the laymen and women have the duty and the right to be concerned with the Church wherein dwells Christ the Lord in His eternal glory and everlasting majesty. This article is an attempt to provide a general idea on Church and Sacraments. Hence it will be catalogued in Ecclesiology. As and when required, views of the Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Churches have been compared and contrasted in all fairness possible. I hope this work will swell the spirit of the students of the subject 'Ecclesiology' and make them more committed to the Church.

The earthly Ecclesia or the visible Church is not a man-made society. Jesus Himself founded Her. It should not be forgotten, however, that even before this marvel occurred, the Ecclesia had been existing with the 'Father' in the celestial world. So She is co-eval with Creation. The earthly Ecclesia is yet to attain fulfillment. This will take place at the eschata. Presently therefore, the Church is progressing on Her pilgrimage to Parousia under the guidance of the all perfecting Paraclete or Holy Spirit. Thus in short the Church is rooted in the Trinitarian 'Father', manifested through the 'Son' and directed by the 'Spirit'. And verily the Ecclesia is hailed the integral part of the 'Salvific Plan' of the Triune God. This is no casual conjecture or figment of fancy, but the assurance that the 'God intoxicated' saint’s, holy prophets and the meek in heart were blessed to receive through Revelation and the Tradition, enshrined in the Holy Bible and Patristic Literature.

The Church is what She is not only because of Her divine origin but also due to Her essential characteristics named 'notae' or marks. There are four of them. They are confessed by the members of the Church in the 'Creeds'. These Creeds formulate the Faith of the Church besides fortifying faith in the Church. Undoubtedly, there can never be a meaningful Christian life without conforming to the creedal doctrines of the Ecclesia.

Christ, the High Priest and the King, chose the Church as His Bride and offered Her the dowry of His 'blood and flesh' at the Cross. Apparently He authorized the Ecclesia to be the perennial source of Salvation. He is still sanctifying Her. The means adopted for this holy act as well as for bidding every one to be the heir apparent in His Spiritual Kingdom are the Holy Sacraments, theologically termed, the 'means of grace'.

Saul of Tarsus never caused any wound on the physical body of the Nazerene. For, when Saul began to 'breath threats and murder' against the followers of Christ, the Lord, Jesus had already resurrected and ascended to the right hand side of His Father in heaven. Still, the 'voice' sternly asked Saul on his way to Damascus for destroying the disciples of Jesus, "Saul, Saul why do you persecute me". Why? The answer is obvious. It was because the injury that Saul inflicted on each and every soul who was following the 'Way' was on the Corpus of Christ. When Saul became Paul, consequent to the 'Christ experience', he brought in the grand concept that the 'Assembly of believers' or the Church or the Ecclesia is the 'mystical body' of Jesus Christ. He further expatiated that in this body of Christ, there is neither Jew nor gentile, neither male nor female, neither rich nor poor, but all are One. This is the basis of the doctrines of the Universality of Salvation and the Catholicity of the Church.

Church Fathers and theologians of antiquity too, have developed the theme that in Church, temporal distinctions become irrelevant, once the Christian life is experienced. In brief, Ecclesia is corporate in Her essence, existence and errand. 'Individuality' in its true tenor as indivisibility will be realized only when oneness with Christ through the Ecclesia is attained. Then alone will the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God, the core of Christ's teachings, be actualized. The 'historic' Jesus makes His presence felt in history through the Ecclesia. Devotion to and understanding of the Church are the essential elements for the experiencing of God. Familiarity with the Church is in fact the first factor for fostering faith in and faithfulness to the Almighty.

I must make an apology at this juncture. I do admit that my grasp of and grip over Ecclesiology, Theology, Liturgy and other allied subjects are rudimentary. Nonetheless, I ventured to bring forth this article, as I firmly believe that knowledge of the 'Mother Church' is imperative for the knowledge of the Triune God. I am conscious that I have trodden only along the periphery of the subject. I am no professional theologian either. Hence this book, 'Church and Sacraments' is qualified 'Reflections of a layman', not as a coveat but as a confession.

"If thou would'st master strain and pain, Unfold this book read and reflect on, Its 'ecclesial' leaves, therein thou soon shall see,The past, the present and the days to be".

Next: CHURCH, BIBLE AND TRADITION

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This book was first published in December 2001
-- Moran 'Etho Series No.16 --
Publishers:- ST. EPHREM ECUMENICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE (SEERI)
Baker Hill, Kottayam, Kerala, India. Pin- 686 001