Ritualism vs. Sacramentalism

Ritualism vs. Sacramentalism

Perhaps a misguided look at making a comparison between two specific activities that should represent an importance for the good of those who follow the traditions of each.  

Recently, a TV minister was expounding the obstacles of following rituals without having any substance as to their meaning or the very understanding for the person receiving one.  He used baptizing infants as an example since the attitude of baptism was originally a means of someone seeking the ceremony of the ancient rite of Mikveh.  This was a Jewish ceremonial rite used for ritual cleansing.  Of course, the person seeking this was an adult.  Infant baptism did not meet those requirements.

Within his expose’ on rituals he mentioned the action of a priest turning bread to the body of Christ and wine to the Blood of Christ, both as a ritual without any substance of meaning or having a personal relationship with Christ.  Of course this ritual is more than just words and action (which are the two elements of a Sacrament needed for substantial credence) which is in itself the very realistic event of the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus.  Denunciation of this should send chills up and down the spine of any Catholic who understands and adheres to the Collapse of Time as indicated in the Last Supper event.  The priest during the Consecration stands in as Jesus who at the very moment is lifting the elements and is subsequently nailed to the cross and dies.  

So, any ritual is a worthy activity to be utilized when promoting and actively adhering to something with elemental worthiness.  It in itself makes that rite inviolable.  We, as Roman Catholics must secure the truth of the Transubstantiation (the rite of a priest calling on God during the Consecration at Holy Mass and the Holy Spirit descending on the elements of bread and wine making them the Body and Blood of Christ).  Our belief as Catholics hinges on this truth and cannot be diminished in any manner no matter how a person is a professed Christian in any other so-called ministry. 

At times they may have sound principles that do not exclude believers from the teaching of Jesus, but when they do not expound the living Truth of 2,000 + years of Catholicism they are creating discord to a Dogma that cannot be removed without heresy. 

As an ordained deacon and cradle Catholic I would place my soul on this belief.   

Ralph B. Hathaway, A Dogma of the Catholic Church.