Sacraments
Jesus stood up and exclaimed, “Let anyone who thirsts come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as scripture says: ‘Rivers of living water will flow from within him.’” He said this in reference to the Spirit that those who came to believe in Him were to receive. (John 7:37-39)
In the Gospel stories, whenever people touched Jesus with faith, "power went out from Him" to heal them. After Jesus died on the Cross, rose from the dead, and ascended into Heaven, that same healing power is transmitted by seven Catholic Sacraments. And like those people who touched Jesus, we need faith.
A Sacrament is spiritual medicine for soul, mind and body. Using material elements such as oil, water, bread, wine; using symbolic actions; and using consecrated words handed down to us from the original twelve Apostles, the ordained bishop, priest or deacon pours into our "sin-sick soul” the sanctifying, purifying and strengthening grace of Jesus Christ. Catholic Sacraments make the grace of Christ present now.
“Living Water” image in Holy Family chapel
“You will gather others into the people of God through Baptism, and you will forgive sins in the name of Christ and the Church in the sacrament of Penance. You will comfort the sick and the elderly with holy oil. Therefore, carry out the ministry of Christ the Priest with constant joy and genuine love, attending not to your own concerns but to those of Jesus Christ.”