"The Word presupposes the sacrament as its fulfillment, for in the sacrament, Christ the Word becomes our life. The Word assembles the Church for his incarnation in her. In separation from the word the sacrament is in danger of being perceived as magic, and without the sacrament the word is in danger of being 'reduced' to 'doctrine.' And finally, it is precisely through the sacrament that the word is interpreted, for the interpretation of the word is always witness to the fact that the Word has become our life. 'And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth (John 1:14)' The sacrament is his witness, and therefore in it lies the source, the beginning and foundation of the exposition and comprehension of the word, the source and criterion of theology. Only in this unbreakable unity of word and sacrament can we truly understand the meaning of the affirmation that the Church alone preserves the true meaning of the scripture."
Schmemann, The Eucharist, pp. 68, 69
2 comments:
Wow, that's great.
It's Schmemann. He's ALWAYS great! :)
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