Foretaste of Heaven and Medicine of Immortality: The Eucharist and Other Sacraments as Sources of Hope

Below, I will share with you the content of the  next (fourth) segment in the retreat day I gave this past September, "A Reason for Your Hope."

Song: Yea My Life
Before we go any further in discussing the sacraments as sources of hope, we need to talk about the first sacrament, that is Baptism. 
 
I will quote heavily from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) in this segment. 
 
Baptism is a Sacrament of hope, in which we first receive this virtue.
 
Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes us “a new creature,” an adopted son of God, who has become a “partaker of the divine nature,” member of Christ and co-heir with him, and a temple of the Holy Spirit. (CCC 1265)
 
The Catechism goes on to tell us that in Baptism we

• receive sanctifying grace, the grace of justification:
• are enabled to believe in God, to hope in Him, and to love
• belong no longer to ourselves

 
It also teaches that the “Holy Spirit has marked us with the seal of the Lord for the day of redemption.   Baptism indeed is the seal of eternal life.”
 
“The faithful Christian who has “kept the seal” until the end, remaining faithful to the demands of his Baptism, will be able to depart this life “marked with the sign of faith,” with his baptismal faith, in expectation of the blessed vision of God - the consummation of faith - and in the hope of resurrection.”
 
At this point in the retreat, I shared the story of a woman who experienced the wonder of baptism with her small baby in the hospital emergency room.  Her son had come down with RSV before being baptized.  Her parish parochial vicar came and baptized the child over the sink there.  It really impacted here, as she realized that, in this moment, he was made a new creation.  This was truly a moment of hope and joy, as their baby was given grace and infused with the theological virtue of hope.  It was also the start on his journey to physical recovery.
 
Along with Baptism, the Sacrament of Penance (CCC 1468ff) might also be considered a source of hope.
 
“The whole power of the sacrament of Penance consists in restoring us to God's grace and joining us with him in an intimate friendship. Reconciliation with God is thus the purpose and effect of this sacrament.”
 
The Catechism further teaches that “For those who receive the sacrament of Penance with contrite heart and religious disposition, reconciliation is usually followed by peace and serenity of conscience with strong spiritual consolation.” 
 
“The sacrament of Reconciliation with God brings about a true “spiritual resurrection,” restoration of the dignity and blessings of the life of the children of God, of which the most precious is friendship with God.”
 
The Parable of the Prodigal Son is a fitting one for us as we meditate on this sacrament and its relationship with hope.
 
During this day of reflection, I also shared the experience of the day of my first confession, on which the clean, dazzling snow on the ground spoke loudly and beautifully of how clean one’s soul can become through the wondrous gift of this Sacrament.
 
Next, I shared thoughts on the Eucharist, drawing from section in Catechism: The Eucharist - “Pledge Of The Glory to Come” (1402ff)
 
The Church says of the Eucharist: “O sacred banquet in which Christ is received as food, the memory of his Passion is renewed, the soul is filled with grace and a pledge of the life to come is given to us.”  
         
The Catechism shares, also, that the Eucharist is an anticipation of the heavenly glory.
 
“When the Church celebrates the Eucharist remembers this promise and turns her gaze “to him who is to come.” In her prayer she calls for his coming: ”Marana tha!” ”Come, Lord Jesus!”    ”May your grace come and this world pass away!”  
 
We celebrate the Eucharist “awaiting the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ,” asking “to share in your glory when every tear will be wiped away. On that day we shall see you, our God, as you are.”
 
“The Eucharist is the surest pledge or dearest sign of this great hope in the new heavens and new earth “in which righteousness dwells.”  We “break the one bread that provides the medicine of immortality, the antidote for death, and the food that makes us live for ever in Jesus Christ.”
 
Think about that this weekend when you go to Mass! 
 
You are going to receive a “Pledge Of The Glory To Come” and foretaste of Heaven!
 
After all, you’re receiving Jesus, Himself!