225. What is the relationship of the sacraments to Christ?

 

225. What is the relationship of the sacraments to Christ? 

(Comp 225) The mysteries of Christ’s life are the foundations of what he would henceforth dispense in the sacraments, through the ministers of his Church.  “What was visible in our Savior has passed over into his mysteries.” (Saint Leo the Great)

“In brief”

(CCC 1114) "Adhering to the teaching of the Holy Scriptures, to the apostolic traditions, and to the consensus… of the Fathers," we profess that "the sacraments of the new law were… all instituted by Jesus Christ our Lord" (Council of Trent (1547): DS 1600-1601). 

To deepen and explain

(CCC 1115) Jesus' words and actions during his hidden life and public ministry were already salvific, for they anticipated the power of his Paschal mystery. They announced and prepared what he was going to give the Church when all was accomplished. The mysteries of Christ's life are the foundations of what he would henceforth dispense in the sacraments, through the ministers of his Church, for "what was visible in our Savior has passed over into his mysteries" (St. Leo the Great Sermo 74, 2: PL 54, 398). 

On reflection

(CCC 1116) Sacraments are "powers that comes forth" from the Body of Christ (Cf. Lk 5:17; 6:19; 8:46), which is ever-living and life-giving. They are actions of the Holy Spirit at work in his Body, the Church. They are "the masterworks of God" in the new and everlasting covenant. 

 (Next question: What is the link between the sacraments and the Church?)