What sacraments are.
The Master's Inquiry
The Master greets the Scholar and asks for a definition of sacraments.
Teacher. Tell me what you call sacraments?
The Scholar's Definition
The Scholar identifies himself and provides a full definition of sacraments as Christ-ordained actions for remembrance and profession of faith.
Scholar. They are certain customary, reverent actions and ceremonies ordained by Christ, so that through them he might remind us of his benefits, and so that we might declare our profession: that we are among those who share in the same benefits and who place all their trust in him; that we are not ashamed of the name of Christ, or of being called Christ's scholars.✦✦12
Read the original English
Master. Tell me what thou callest sacramentes?
Scholer. They are certayne customeable reuerēt doings and Ceremonyes ordeyned by Christe: that by them he might put vs in remēbrāce of his benefits: & we myght declare oure profession, that we be of the nomber of thē, which are partakers of the same benefites, and whyche fasten all theyr affiaunce in hym: that we are not ashamed of the name of Christ, or to bee termed Christes Scholers.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Luke.22.19;1Cor.11.24-1Cor.11.25 — And he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' 1Cor.11.24 — and having given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' 1Cor.11.25 — In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
- ↩Rom.1.16;Mark.8.38;2Tim.1.8 — For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes: to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Mark.8.38 — For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of that person when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. 2Tim.1.8 — Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God.
Notes
John Ponet's Short Catechisme (1553) companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit