A television commercial for a newly developed prescription medication shows happy people living active, carefree lives.  The voice-over speaks in glowing terms about the medication’s almost miraculous properties but concludes with a warning that the medication can cause headaches, nausea, liver problems, tuberculosis, cancer, brain infections, or death.  One would want to be very, very sick before trying that medication.  

Every time I see that commercial, it makes me think that the Sacraments of the Catholic Church should come with a similar warning. The Sacraments can have miraculous effects in one’s life, but there can be a downside to the Sacraments, as well. You might be wondering how any Sacrament could possibly have a detrimental effect; I will provide an illustration. 

I am called often to anoint patients at the local hospital.  Weirdly, the people who seem most concerned about receiving the Anointing of the Sick are those with the least connection to the Catholic Church or any parish community. Their interest in the Anointing of the Sick seems to be a superstitious belief that that the Sacrament provides a magical guarantee of entry into heaven. 

The Sacraments do, in fact, guarantee salvation to those who are faithful to their baptismal vows.  In my opinion, no one who lives a life consistent with the promises made in Baptism to worship God and show mercy to neighbor should have any worries about the afterlife.  The Sacraments, however, are not magic, nor do they have automatic effects.   

Baptism and Confirmation make faith in God possible, but the baptized must make faith actual in their lives.  Eucharist strengthens the grace of Baptism, but communicants must make a conscious effort to be renewed by God’s Grace.  The Sacrament of Reconciliation forgives sin, but penitents are obliged to forgive others.  The Anointing of the Sick promises healing and strength of faith, but its effects are dependent solely on the faith of the recipient. 

All these benefits are promised to believers and occur in the presence of faith.  I wouldn’t object if the Anointing of the Sick provides salvation to non-practicing individuals, but I wonder how those individuals are going to cope with an eternity in heaven.   

If one has spent one’s life avoiding God, avoiding worship of God, and avoiding community with God’s People, spending eternity immersed in what one has spent one’s life avoiding would probably be very uncomfortable. 

The Catholic Church defines Sacraments as rituals that cause what they signify.  For this reason, I suggest that the Sacraments should come with a warning that says, “This ritual might lead to the experience of the presence of God and companionship with God’s People.”  One would want to be very, very careful, therefore, about receiving Catholic Sacraments. 

If you think I’m being cynical, I direct your attention to this Sunday’s Gospel reading.   

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus healed numerous people suffering from a variety of maladies, then he decided it was time to move on to other villages.  The disciples wanted him to remain in Capernaum and continue his healing miracles.  They failed to understand or appreciate his preaching because they were satisfied by seeing a few miracles. For Jesus, the miracles were signs that pointed to the greater reality that he spoke about in his preaching. 

Jesus said, “For this purpose have I come.” (Mk 1:39)  The “purpose” of his life was to announce the coming of God’s kingdom.  The “kingdom” he announced is a metaphor describing those who have been reconciled with God and neighbor. Contrary to his disciples’ mistaken notions, Jesus did not understand himself as a provider of religious goods and services. He understood himself as the One who inaugurates a new era of reconciled relationships. 

Like Jesus’ miracles, the Sacraments are effective signs, that is, they cause what they signify.  The Church celebrates Sacraments in order to make the kingdom of God present to God’s People and to inspire the community of the redeemed to spread the good news that reconciliation with God and neighbor is readily available.   

It is easy enough, I think, to understand why church attendance continues to decline.  When the Church is misunderstood as a vendor of goods and services, clever consumers are given permission to shop around for the best deal.  On the other hand, when the Church is understood as the community which dwells in God’s kingdom, faith in the Trinity and communion with the Church become essential in one’s life. 

Warning: Receiving Catholic Sacraments can lead to a life in God’s presence and an eternity of the same.