251. How is Christian initiation brought about?
(Comp
251) Christian initiation is accomplished by means of the sacraments which
establish the foundations of Christian life. The faithful born anew by Baptism
are strengthened by Confirmation and are then nourished by the Eucharist.
“In brief”
(CCC 1275) Christian
initiation is accomplished by three sacraments together: Baptism which is the
beginning of new life; Confirmation which is its strengthening; and the
Eucharist which nourishes the disciple with Christ's Body and Blood for his
transformation in Christ.
To deepen and explain
(CCC 1212) The sacraments of
Christian initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist - lay the foundations of every Christian life.
"The sharing in the divine nature given to men through the grace of Christ
bears a certain likeness to the origin, development, and nourishing of natural
life. The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of
Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. By means
of these sacraments of Christian initiation, they thus receive in increasing
measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of
charity" (Paul VI, Divinae consortium
natura, cf. RCIA Introduction 1-2).
On reflection
(CCC 1213) Holy Baptism is the
basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua) (Cf. Council of
Florence: DS 1314: vitae spiritualis
ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through
Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of
Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission:
"Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word"
(Roman Catechism II, 2, 5; cf.
Council of Florence: DS 1314; CIC, cann. 204 § 1; 849; CCEO, can. 675 § 1).
No comments:
Post a Comment