Why Is Sacramentality So Important To Christianity?

In class this semester, we have learned that humans are rational beings who use their intellect to achieve some truth to the world, and that this truth cannot be denied as false. Different belief systems formed and evolved from specific cultures as humanity strived to achieve and be enlightened with the truth through various forms of meditation or other religious practices. Even today, many people practice a specific faith to find these life truths. One faith tradition that remains strong is Roman Catholicism. The practice of Catholicism, which means Universal Church is worldwide, with practitioners on all continents. This religion originated with Jesus of Nazareth, who was a preacher from Jerusalem during the Roman era. Decades after Jesus
Sacrament is an encounter with God where something material becomes a gateway to the eternal. To a practicing Catholic, salvation is achieved through sacramentality. Overall, the Church is the fundamental sacrament and Christians are the living sacraments of God’s love; these visible signs and symbols, with God as the basic symbol of faith, are very important. Communion sacraments used during Catholic mass are bread (or wafer) and wine. The bread represents His body and the wine the blood of Jesus; and through the act of transubstantiation by a priest, parishioners believe they actually become the blood and body of Christ. When Bishop Barron says, “Live in me, remain in me, eat my body, and drink the blood of me” he is speaking for Christ. But even more so than communion, Barron believes that the church itself is a sacrament of Jesus. He says that God is a community of love, thinking this way, it’s no wonder people join the church; they desire to be surrounded by love and understanding. In other words, we are called to the church because we are called into Christ’s life and God’s
Himes explains that nothing that is created is not loved by God and His desire to create was not fueled by trying to get anything out of it.(footnote) God created the universe to create a loving community. This sacramental worldview brings into focus that everything exists because of God’s love (footnote?). God is known as the Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; however, calling God Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer might better illustrate the love inherent in Christianity and God’s message. All things exist in the world because God loves it into being. The doctrine of Grace is a free gift of love from God, and everything is a sign of God’s grace and being (footnote?). This means that since God is present in everything, all things are signs of the sacred and should be valued. This is a message that seems to often get lost or be ignored. Just think of how different the world would be if humankind lived by this standard. Living a life of love and peace with one another, no matter the ethnicity or origin, loving and valuing our environment, and ensuring all creatures have justice and dignity would show God’s grace resides in us. Knowing that God loves everyone and brings anything and everything into existence is something we should bond over; unfortunately, religious division has often resulted in wars and torture. We must follow the New Testament advice to turn the cheek, rather