Roman Catholic Universe

  SACRAMENTS In the Gospel according to John, Jesus teaches at length about the greatest of the sacraments, the Eucharist (see 6:22-59) . In this discourage, he lays out what we might call the "sacramental principle" that lies at the heart of the Christian faith: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven: whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world"  "The World became flesh / and made his dwelling among us" (Jn 1:14 . In Jesus Christ, God -who is spirit (see Jn 4:24)  -came down from heaven and entered into his own creation this physical universe. He joined to his own divine nature a human nature of soul and body; he took up into himself the matter and energy of this world In this "Incarnation" (literally, "becoming flesh"), as Christians call it, God made it possible for the everyday elements of our lives to convey the transforming power of his grace. This is t...

HOLY RITUALS Leviticus and other biblical books show that God himself prescribed numerous religious rituals for the ancient Israelites. Sacrifices and offerings, ordination ceremonies and priestly behavior, holidays and festivals -all had their designated rituals (see Lv 1:1-10) . In addition, devour customs grew up among the people, such as those for mourning the dead and anointing kings (see 1 Sm 10:1) Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the apostles were all faithful Jews, practicing the religious rituals of their people. Mary and Joseph "fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord" (Lk 2:39)  concerning circumcision, purification, and presentation after Jesus'  birth (see Lk 2:21-39) . The family took part in the temple rituals of the great holy days (see Lk 2:41-43) , just as Jesus later did with his apostles Our Lord also followed the weekly synagogue rituals (see Lk 4:16-20) . At meals -including the Last Supper -he prayed the ritual blessings customary among the J...