A+Reflective,+Creative+and+Holistic+Thinker

I connected my Sacraments reflection with this CGE as it demonstrates a task which initiates an individual to think reflectively and critically. To be able to think of questions on a seemingly familiar topic is not an easy task. I new the basics of sacraments from my own experiences and overviews in courses taught. However, I did not know that my knowledge on the topic was so limited. I think that the activities associated with this module enabled me to reflect more on my own experiences with the sacraments to connect with new knowledge that I acquired from readings. This new understanding helped me to solve the "problem" which were my pending questions with regards to the sacraments.

=Part 1: Sacrament Image=



Photo Taken by Lisa Mark Photo of Ukrainian Wedding Bread

This photo was taken from my wedding just over a year ago (Aug.1st!). The Korovai, or wedding bread, represents many things in a wedding ceremony. As quoted from my wedding programme, the following is a brief explanation: The Korovai is large circular bread richly decorated with symbolic dough ornaments. The most common ornaments are birds, which symbolize love, and pine cones, which symbolize fertility. The Korovai sits on the “rushnyk,” an embroidered cloth, which symbolizes the gift of life and serves as a link between the newlyweds and their ancestors. This relates to the ideas presented in the Sacrament readings becasue the photo represents many aspects of the marriage ritual in the Ukrainian Catholic faith. The bread in itself is part of the wedding ceremony, it is carried down the aisle before the bride and groom and is placed on a special table at the altar during the ceremony. After the ceremony, the bread is presented to the newlyweds from the parents as a token for nature's bounty, love an fertility. This photo, for me, acts as a reminder, or a memory of my experiences with the ritual of marriage. The image initiates me to reflect on the meaning behind different aspects of the matrimony sacrament. In a class I would also have students gather a photo or a piece of art that reflects their experiences with a particular sacrament. I would encourage them to reflect upon the meaning of the image, and how it communicates their interpretation of their experience with the ritual. This interpretation may facilitate in establishing a stronger perception of the role of the sacrament in their faith journey. =__Part 2: Sacrament Question__=

Question about the Sacraments: Are Sacraments just rituals in disguise? Is there a difference between the two? Are sacraments meant to only be for the individual?

As Lavin (2009) refers, "sacraments are best described as symbolic actions that mediate the presence of God." (p.107) From the readings I came to gather a richer understanding of the concepts behind sacraments. I understood that sacraments involved ceremonies and practices from our faith, however, through the readings I acquired a new understanding of sacramnts. In Martos' article, he states that "Sacraments are rituals that are highly symbolic" which clarifies for me that there is a ritualistic aspect to each sacrament.

All in all, through the readings I have learned more with regards to the functions of the sacraments in our faith. Having experienced a few sacraments in my lifetime, I always perceived each ritual as an part in an individual's faith journey. With all the planning that is involved for the one special day on which we celebrate the sacrament, we sometimes loose sight that the celebration is indeed a community celebration. Even though it may seem that we are the only individuals with God during the "special ritual," a sacrament is very much a celebration of family.