Day 52 Necessity of the Sacraments. Principal and Instrumental Causes. Wicked Ministers

Posted on April 7, 2023 by marklangley

In this episode we discuss the necessity of the sacraments relative to one another. Are all the sacraments equally necessary for salvation? Additionally, we discuss the distinction between the principle author of the sacraments as opposed to the instrumental agency of his ministers. Finally we discuss the question whether wicked ministers are able to validly confer the sacraments. To aid us in this discussion we continue to supplement our reading of the Catechism with selections from the Summa Theologica, Tertia Pars Q64 and Q65. (ST. IIIa. Q64. a.1. a.2. a.5 and Q65. a.4)

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Day 51 Why are there seven sacraments?

Posted on April 5, 2023 by marklangley

In this episode we discuss the number of the sacraments. The Catechism of the Council of Trent sets forth the doctrine of seven sacraments following St. Thomas Aquinas in his Summa where he draws an analogy to the seven things that are necessary for the life of man in his corporal nature. In addition we read from the third part of the Summa where St Thomas asks “Whether there should be seven sacraments?” (ST. IIIa. Q. 65. a.1)

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Day 50 Seven Reasons Why The Sacraments Were Instituted

Posted on April 4, 2023 by marklangley

In this episode we continue reading the Catechism in its treatment on the Sacraments in general. In particular we discuss seven reasons why the Sacraments were instituted. Additionally, we read about the constituent parts of every sacrament-namely the matter and the form. We also give three reasons for the ceremonies that surround the administration of the sacraments.

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Day 49 On Signs And Sacraments

Posted on March 31, 2023 by marklangley

In this episode we continue our reading of the second part of the Catechism of the Council of Trent in its opening discussion on the sacraments in general. The Catechism sets forth the meaning of the word sign as it explains St Augustine’s definition of sacrament (i.e. “A sacrament is a sign of a sacred thing”) As the Catechism draws heavily on the first three chapters of Book II of St Augustine’s work On Christian Doctrine we read these brief chapters in their entirety. (De Doct. Christ. lib. ii c. I-III)

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Day 48 Beginning Discussion On The Sacraments

Posted on March 29, 2023 by marklangley

In this episode we begin reading the second part of the Catechism of The Council of Trent in its treatment on the Sacraments. The Catechism discusses the origin of the word ‘sacrament’ as referring to an oath the soldiers would take declaring their pledge of service. In Scripture we see the word can sometimes signify a secret and is ultimately used to signify a sign of a sacred thing.

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Day 47 In My Father’s House There Are Many Mansions

Posted on March 28, 2023 by marklangley

In this episode we conclude our study of Part I of the Catechism of the Council of Trent. We finish reading the Catechism’s treatment of Article XII concerning “Life Everlasting” with respect to the “Accessory Happiness” that those word signify. (in addition to the “Essential Happiness” that we spoke about in Day 46). In addition to reading the Catechism, we also look at two articles in the Supplement to the Summa Theologica concerning the “mansions” of the saints. (Q. 93 Art. 2-3, Supplement)

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Day 46 The Beatific Vision

Posted on March 24, 2023 by marklangley

In this episode we continue our discussion of Article XII of the Apsotle’s Creed concering the belief in “Life Everlasting.” The Catechism teaches us in what human happiness finally and ultimately consists, namely the “Beatific Vision.” In order to understand this more fully we turn to The Summa Theologica in that part where St Thomas Aquinas treats of ‘Man’s Last End’. St. Thomas argues that man’s last end must consist in some operation of the speculative intellect in which the intellect knows (and is united with) the essence of the first cause. (ST. Ia. IIae. Q. 3. a. 5 and a. 8)

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1GCXyVvNcwV3qN5VKKuxSe

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Day 45 Life Everlasting!

Posted on March 23, 2023 by marklangley

In this episode we begin our study of the very last article of Faith, article 12 in the Creed “Life Everlasting.” The catechism begins to teach us about the ultimate happiness of the human person and in what it consists. We begin by eliminating the things in which happiness does not consist. Turning to the Summa Theologica we read from the “Prima Secundae” question 2 articles 1-4 in which St. Thomas argues that happiness cannot consist in any external good (e.g. wealth, honor, power, etc.)

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Day 44 The four marks of the glorified body

Posted on March 22, 2023 by marklangley

In this episode we conclude our study of Article 11 of the Creed concerning the resurrection of the body. The Catechism teaches that aside from immortality, the glorified bodies of the saints will be marked with impassibility, brightness, agility and subtilty. With respect to the “agility” of the resurrected body we turn to St Augustine in his City of God. (City of God Bk XIII, Chapter 18)

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Day 43 All Shall Rise

Posted on March 19, 2023 by marklangley

In this episode we continue our discussion of Article XI of the Creed “The Resurrection of the Body.” The Catechism teaches us that all shall rise from the dead, both those who rise to life and those who rise to judgement. The catechism explains that our bodies shall be rejoined to our souls with all their members restored and without any blemish. In this article we see that the authors of the catechism drew extensively from the “admirable” words of St. Augustine in his City of God. We read chapter 19 from Book XXII from the City of God entitled: “That All Bodily Blemishes Which Mar Human Beauty in This Life Shall Be Removed in the Resurrection, the Natural Substance of the Body Remaining, But the Quality and Quantity of It Being Altered So as to Produce Beauty.” (Augustine, De Civitate Dei XXII Chapt. 19)

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