Miss McBride
HRE20
Date: ___________________
Sacramental Awareness vs. Sacramental Dullness
Recap: The Seven Sacraments
With a partner, review the seven sacraments. Beside the name of each sacrament, write an important
symbol that pertains to it.
1.
5.
2.
6.
3.
7.
4.
What is Sacramental Awareness?
Jesus presented God’s constant presence in Creation as being proof of the Father's love. In the
Sermon on the Mount, he urged us to see that God is not distant, but is so intimately involved
with the world that even the beauty of the lilies of the field and the food for the birds of the air
comes directly from God's magnificence.
The panentheistic awareness of God is sacramental awareness. Sacraments are considered
vehicles of God's grace coming to us with the form of matter. Bread and wine carry the Body
and Blood of Christ, human lips proclaim the forgiveness of God, water signs new birth as it
does natural birth.
While the Catholic and Orthodox Churches recognize seven sacraments, they recognize that the
principle of sacramentality is far greater. Creation itself is sacramental. Everything that God
created was "very good," according to Genesis, and so, God's goodness comes to us through
Creation.
What is Sacramental Dullness?
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When we are not able to perceive the sacred in our lives or in the world, we are said to have
_____________________________________________.
Why Sacramental Dullness?
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People are too busy.
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People are __________________________ with the daily routines of living
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They may not see or hear the ______________________________________________
in their lives
Miss McBride
HRE20
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Date: ___________________
A great deal of pain and suffering exists in the world
◦
People become __________________________ by problems that they face and that
they see in the world
◦
This makes it __________________________ ________________ God’s presence
People do not know __________________________ or __________________________
◦
We often look for something and do not recognize it, even when it is right in front of us
Possible causes of sacramental dullness
In the space below, write down at least two causes of sacramental dullness.
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_________________________________________________________________
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_________________________________________________________________
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_________________________________________________________________
A cure for sacramental dullness
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It is similar to __________________________ __________________________ better

Sacramental dullness
◦
Can melt away
◦
We must take a second, closer look
◦
In the process, we shed whatever it is that __________________________ to the sacred
Christian perspective

God created us and the entire world __________________________

That makes __________________________ sacred

This __________________________ can open up a whole new world for us
Miss McBride
HRE20
Date: ___________________
Song Example – “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts
I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you
Every long lost dream lead me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
I think about the years I spent just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true
Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
Thinking & Inquiry and Application Questions
Answer the following questions in complete sentences. (10)
1. In your opinion, what does the “broken road” symbolize? (2)
______________________________________________________________________________
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2. What do you think that the songwriter means when he says that “others” were like “northern
stars”? (2)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Miss McBride
HRE20
Date: ___________________
3. Recall the concept of sacramental dullness. Provide three possible reasons why the songwriter
got lost “a time or two” in his/her life that relate to this concept. (3)
______________________________________________________________________________
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4. Explain how this song could be said to be about sacramental awareness, using examples from
the lyrics of the song to support your answer. (3)
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5. Reflect on a time when you felt that you were sacramentally aware, when you felt the presence
of God in your life. What do you think made it possible for you to be aware of his presence? At
other times in your life, why might it be more difficult to become sacramentally aware? (5)
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