Project for Catholics- Explain these sacramentals

[myfavoritmartin]

Here is a fun project for Catholics, that may help us protestants understand the sacramental aspect of your church, attach bible passages to each of the following sacramentals.
Altars
Ashes
Bells
Blessed medals
Blessed palms
Blessing of people
Bowing the head
Bows
Candles
Church buildings
Crucifixes
Exorcism
Feet washing
Fire
Folding hands
Genuflection
Holy water
Icons
Incense
Liturgical hours
Liturgical vessels
Liturgical year
Mary gardens
Minor orders
Oil
Prostrations
Religious habits
Rosaries
Salt
Scapulars
Sign of the cross
Statues
Vestments

 

[Eden]

myfavoritmartin:

Here is a fun project for Catholics, that may help us protestants understand the sacramental aspect of your church, attach bible passages to each of the following sacramentals.

Altars - We see this in the Bible. Noah built an altar to God (Gen.8:20), as did Abraham (Gen.12:8) and Solomon (2 Chron. 4:1). The central feature of the Temple was the altar of sacrifice. In the upper roomthe table used at the Last Supper becomes an altar. In Revelation the heavenly altar is described; “underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered because of the witness they bore to the word of God” (Rev.6:9).

Ashes - On the first day of Lent, this signing is done with ashes because they are a biblical symbol of mourning and penance. In Bible times the custom was to fast, wear sackcloth, sit in dust and ashes, and put dust and ashes on one’s head (cf. 1 Sam. 4:12; 2 Sam. 1:20, 13:19, 15:32). Ashes also symbolize death and so remind us of our mortality. When the priest uses his thumb to sign one of the faithful with the ashes and says, “Remember, man, that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return,” he is echoing God’s address to Adam (Gen. 3:19; cf. Job 34:15; Ps. 90:3, 104:29; Eccles. 3:20). This phrase also echoes the words at a Catholic burial, “Ashes to ashes; dust to dust,” which is based on God’s words to Adam in Genesis 3 and Abraham’s confession, “I am nothing but dust and ashes” (Gen. 18:27).

 

[Eden]

**Incense **Zechariah makes an offering of incense in the sanctuary(Luke 1:8-12). John describes an angel with a golden censer offering large amounts of incense before the throne of God: “From the angel’s hand the smoke of the incense went up before God, and with it the prayers of God’s people” (Rev. 8:3-5). The Magi bring incense as an offering to Christ himself (Matt. 2:11). Whenever Christ or the apostles go up to the Temple to pray, their prayers ascend to God along with the smoke of the incense.

The use of incense to accompany and symbolize prayer has been widespread through many religions over many millennia. The Old Testament testifies to its integral use in Jewish worship, mandated by God (Ex. 30:7-8). There are explicit instructions instituting the use of incense, commanding that it be offered every day, morning and evening: “Throughout your generations this shall be the established incense offering before the Lord” (Ex. 30:1-9). We find Aaron making an offering of incense (Lev. 16:12-13).

When the ritual offering of incense had been made in the Temple, the priests came out to extend a blessing on the people (Num. 6:24-26). This same blessing echoes to this day in our churches: “The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!”

This is all from CA. It’s readily found if you really wanted to know.

 

[Eden]

**Oil **Like all the sacraments, holy anointing was instituted by Jesus Christ during his earthly ministry. The *Catechism *explains, “This sacred anointing of the sick was instituted by Christ our Lord as a true and proper sacrament of the New Testament. It is alluded to indeed by Mark, but is recommended to the faithful and promulgated by James the apostle and brother of the Lord” (CCC 1511; Mark 6:13; Jas. 5:14-15).

The anointing of the sick conveys several graces and imparts gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit against anxiety, discouragement, and temptation, and conveys peace and fortitude (CCC 1520). These graces flow from the atoning death of Jesus Christ, for “this was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, ‘He took our infirmities and bore our diseases’” (Matt. 8:17).

Mark refers to the sacrament when he recounts how Jesus sent out the twelve disciples to preach, and “they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them” (Mark 6:13). In his epistle, James says, “Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (Jas. 5:14–15).

 

[Rachel_Malloy]

Please move this argument to a new thread folks. This is too deep.

 

[Eden]

**Sign of the Cross **“make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19).

here too: catholic.com/thisrock/1990/9007cc.asp

 

[Eden]

Feet Washing The root of this practice appears to be found in the hospitality customs of ancient civilizations, especially where sandals were the chief footwear. A host would provide water for guests to wash their feet, serve the guests by washing their feet, or even provide a servant to wash the feet of the guests. This is mentioned in several places in the Old Testament of the Bible (e.g. Genesis 18:4; 19:2; 24:32; 43:24; I Samuel 25:41; et al.), as well as other religious and historical documents. A typical Eastern host might bow, greet, and kiss his guest, then offer water to wash his feet. Though the wearing of sandals might necessitate washing the feet, the water was also offered as a courtesy even when shoes were worn.

Christian denominations that observe feet washing do so on the basis of what they believe is the authoritative example and command of Jesus as found in the Gospel of John 13:1-15

Wikipedia

 

[Eden]

**Holy Water **Look up Numbers 5:17, where a ritual is being described: “And the priest shall take the holy water in an earthen vessel and take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle and put it into the water.”

This shows that holy water not only has a biblical basis, but that it has been around since the days of Moses. Holy water was used for numerous Old Testament ceremonies that involved ceremonial sprinklings and washings. Today we are not bound to perform those ceremonies, but the fact that holy water was used proves that it is not a superstitious or invalid practice.

CA library

 

[wisteria]

Geesh, what a question - you took your list straight off of this page, martin:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramentals

All you have to do is click on each of those words to get a comprehensive description with historical and Biblical references.

I notice you left “Wedding Rings” off of your version of the list.

You wear a wedding ring, do you?

How about “Churching of women?” Why did you leave that one off?

 

[Eden]

Crucifixes If two thousand years ago an empty cross stood on a hill called Calvary, nothing would have changed. The fact that a body was nailed to the cross, the incarnate body of the eternal Word of God, made all the difference in the world.

There is no Resurrection without the Crucifixion. Jesus suffered and died—was crucified for us. He paid for our sins and redeemed us by his sacrificial death.

The difficulty some have in accepting the Crucifixion is nothing new. Paul said, “For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ* crucified*, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (l Cor. 1:22–25).

Again, speaking to the Church at Corinth, Paul says, “When I carne to you, brethren, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:1–2). That is why Catholics cherish the crucifix—never to forget how our Lord Jesus Christ suffered for us in order to save us. Unfortunately the cross is still a “stumbling block” for some.

CA Library

 

[myfavoritmartin]

thanks Eden!

 

[Little_Mary]

Oh now, you can’t let us have all the fun! Attach a bible passage to some protestant traditions - here are a few to start out with:

altar calls
wednesday night church (with or without covered dish suppers)
sola scriptura
sola fide
more than one church
guaranteed salvation (once saved always saved)
sunday school

 

[Eden]

wisteria:

Geesh, what a question - you took your list straight off of this page, martin:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramentals

All you have to do is click on each of those words to get a comprehensive description with historical and Biblical references.

I notice you left “Wedding Rings” off of your version of the list.

You wear a wedding ring, do you?

How about “Churching of women?” Why did you leave that one off?

Looks like he left off Agnus Dei as well.

 

[Della]

myfavoritmartin:

Here is a fun project for Catholics, that may help us protestants understand the sacramental aspect of your church, attach bible passages to each of the following sacramentals.
Altars
Ashes
Bells
Blessed medals
Blessed palms
Blessing of people
Bowing the head
Bows
Candles
Church buildings
Crucifixes
Exorcism
Feet washing
Fire
Folding hands
Genuflection
Holy water
Icons
Incense
Liturgical hours
Liturgical vessels
Liturgical year
Mary gardens
Minor orders
Oil
Prostrations
Religious habits
Rosaries
Salt
Scapulars
Sign of the cross
Statues
Vestments

I’ve got an even easier project for you Protestants. Show us in the Bible where these things are disallowed.

 

[JSmitty2005]

myfavoritmartin:

Crucifixes

“O stupid Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?” (Gal. 3:1)

Exorcism

Jesus excorcised demons as did others in His Name.

Feet washing

Jesus washed the feet of the Apostles.

Genuflection

If every knee should bow at His Name (Phil. 2:10), shouldn’t every knee bow in His Presence (since He is in the Tabernacle)?

Incense

“Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a gold censer. He was given a great quantity of incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the holy ones, on the gold altar that was before the throne. The smoke of the incense along with the prayers of the holy ones went up before God from the hand of the angel.” (Rev. 8:3-4)

Exorcism…Oil

“They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.” (Mark 6:13)

Ashes…Sign of the cross

Check these out:

catholic.com/thisrock/1990/9007cc.asp

catholic.com/thisrock/2001/0104fea1sb.asp

Statues

The Ark of the Covenant was riddled with statues. Also, the Church employed statues in order to illustrate the Gospel because throughout history, the Bible was not available to the faithful either because the canon had not yet been decided or Bibles were too expensive (about 3 years wages) before the printing press was invented (BTW, the first book ever printed was the Catholic Bible). Even after the Bible was available to the laity at a price that was not outrageous, many people were not able to read. There was a time when 9/10 people in Europe were illiterate AND the ones that could read, read…guess what? LATIN!

Vestments…Folding hands

White robes are seen throughout the Apocalypse. Here’s just one example:

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands*”
(Rev. 7:9)

*I didn’t read the context so this may mean that their hands were folded (palms to palms). It could also mean palms like from palm trees like we do on Palm Sunday. This could also have to do with how Catholic artists often portray martyrs holding palm branches.

 

[St.Eric]

Thanks Eden. You saved me a lot of work!

 

[myfavoritmartin]

wisteria:

Geesh, what a question - you took your list straight off of this page, martin:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramentals

All you have to do is click on each of those words to get a comprehensive description with historical and Biblical references.

I notice you left “Wedding Rings” off of your version of the list.

You wear a wedding ring, do you?

How about “Churching of women?” Why did you leave that one off?

I understand the symbolicness of the wedding ring and no I am not wearing it, and churching of women I know of the scriptural background of that.

 

[Mickey]

Wow! Don’t mess with Eden!

 

[Eden]

St.Eric:

Thanks Eden. You saved me a lot of work!

It is actually a rather fun way to show just how biblical Catholics are. So, great challenge favoritmartin!

 

[myfavoritmartin]

Eden:

Looks like he left off Agnus Dei as well.

Agnus dei?