Scriptural Reference:
"And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Acts 2:38

"Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,"
1 Peter 3:21

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"
Matthew 28:19

"One Lord, one faith, one baptism,"
Ephesians 4:5

"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom."
Matthew 26:26-29

Reflection:
When we talk about Sacraments we're referring to seven unique acts or observants that we take part in as a church. Each one expressed to remind us of what the Lord has taught us. These seven are broken into the following.

These are essentially:

Levels of each Sacrament are made up of;

• Matter: the physical element you can see and touch "
  • Form: the actions and words required to carry out the sacrament
    • Intention:, the hope or expectation of what is being done
    • Subject: the individual or group to receive sacrament
      • Minister: the Bishop, Priest or Baptised Christian

   

While the seven sacraments are;

Baptism

• Water 3-fold name & pouring of water or immersion
  • To give remission of sins and new life "
    • Anyone not already baptised
      • Any Christian

Confirmation

• The Bishops Hand
  • Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
    • To give the gift of the Holy Ghost for lay ministry
      • Any Baptized Christian
        • The Bishop

Order

• Bishops Hand
  • Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
    • To set a man apart for the work of the ordained ministry
      • Any Baptized and Confirmed male Christian
        • The Bishop

Eucharist

• Bread and Wine
  • The words of consecration together with the rest of the prayer
    • To do what Christ did at the Last Supper
      • Any baptized, informed and confirmed Christian
        • Bishop or Priest

Matrimony or Handclasp

• The Promise
  • To be faithful to one spouse
    • Any baptized Christian man and woman
      • The Marrying couple
        • Bishop or Priest

Penance

• The Penance
  • I absolve thee in the Name of jesus the Christ
    • To declare the forgiveness of sin
      • Any baptized Christian
        • Bishop or Priest

Unction

• Oil Blessed by Bishop
  • I anoint thee in the name of Jesus the Christ
    • To give health of body and soul
      • Any baptized Christian
        • Bishop or Priest

Christ our Lord established two Sacraments in the Gospel: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. For the purpose of this short reflection I will focus on the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Perhaps at a later date I will return and reflect on the other six sacraments that we are blessed with.

Anglicanism aims to strike a balance between the importance of scripture and the role of sacraments. Throughout its history, it has shifted focus between these two aspects, adapting to the changing theological and liturgical needs of the times. A significant change occurred in the mid-1800s when the Oxford movement reignited interest in the sacraments. This movement emerged from a revival of thought and spirituality within Anglicanism, helping to bring the sacraments back into the spotlight. It emphasized their crucial role in worship and theology, highlighting how they nurture spiritual life and deepen the connection with God. As a result, the movement fostered a greater appreciation for the sacraments, viewing them as vital sources of divine grace and spiritual sustenance for Anglicans. This revival not only enhanced worship practices but also enriched discussions about the sacraments, leading to a more integrated approach to scripture and sacraments in Anglicanism.

Anglicanism today aims to bring people together by focusing on two key elements: the importance of the word and the value of sacraments. The word in Anglicanism represents Christ through a strong mix of preaching and moral teachings. This not only engages our minds but also inspires us to show love and compassion in our everyday actions. On the flip side, sacraments connect with our senses and physical actions, helping us feel a deep bond with Christ, the apostles, and our spiritual roots that trace back to Abraham. Plus, sacraments create a strong sense of community, making us feel like we belong to a larger family that includes the saints from both the past and the future.

With the Holy Eucharist Christ is genuinely present, though how that happens remains to us a mystery. This belief is known as the "Real Presence." The Anglican perspective finds itself in the middle of the Protestant interpretation, which often views communion as a memorial, while the Roman Catholic Church holds to the belief in what they term transubstantiation; where the bread and wine are thought to actually become the Body and Blood of Christ. In the concept of Real Presence, we hold that Christ is present in the consecrated elements in a unique and mysterious way. Because of this, we treat the consecrated bread and wine with great respect, either consuming them right away or saving them for later.

While we hold to the Real Presence concept we respect the Eucharist in such a way that an Anglican priest can't celebrate Holy Eucharist by themselves. They need at least one person to share in Holy Communion with them. During the Holy Eucharist, we not only reflect on the Incarnation and Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, but we also experience His true presence among us. This connects us to Him both personally and as a Church, allowing us to embody the Incarnation as the Body of Christ. We're then called to take this Incarnation into the world, becoming the Real Presence of Christ in our connections with God and others.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,
We thank you for your Son,
Jesus the Christ.

Who has blessed us with,
The Sacraments of faith,
By which we celebrate,
Our redemption and salvation.

May we always observe them,
With proper rebverence,
Proper inner humility,
And a joyful heart.

Amen