Why do Catholics Believe in Apos

Why do Catholics Believe in Seven Sacraments? *

Some Christians have wondered why the Song of Songs is included in Scripture. It never explicitly refers to God. Instead, it's poetry celebrating the love of a husband and wife: "My mover belongs to me and I to him: (6:3).

Since ancient times, however, Catholic interpreters have read this book in light of St. Paul's insight that the marriage covenant is a sign of the everlasting covenant between Christ and his Church (see Eph 5:25-32). As an inspired portrait of ideal human love, then, the Song of Songs also portrays the mutual love of God and his people, to be fully consummated at "the wedding feast of the Lamb" (Rv 19:9).

In Christ's miracle at the wedding in Cana (see Jn 2:1-11), the Church sees his proclamation that the ancient institution of matrimony (see Gn 1:26-31; 2:18-25) has been raised to the level of a sacrament--an efficacious sign of God's presence. (In fact, in Ephesians 5:32, St. Paul uses the word "mystery" to refer to marriage, which in the Greek is also the word for "sacrament.") The other six sacraments are found in Scripture as well: Baptism, Reconciliation (also known as Confession or Penance), the Eucharist, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders (the ordination of clergy).

In the list of biblical texts below, we find instances of all seven sacraments in the New Testament, as well as some Old Testament precedents.

Baptism: Mt 28:19; Mk 16:16; Jn 3:5; Acts 2:38; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 22:16; Jn 3:5; Acts 2:38; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 22:16; Rom 6:3-4; 1 Cor 1:16; 6:11; Col 2:11-13; Titus 3:5; 1 Pt 3:21.

Reconciliation: Ex 32:20; Lv 19:20-22; Nm 5:6-7; 14:19-23; 17:11-13; Mt 16:19; 18:18; Lk 15:18-19; Jn 20:23; Acts 19:18; 1 Cor 5:3-5 (with 2 Cor 2:6-11); 2 Cor 5:18-20; Jas 5:16; 1 Jn 1:8-9

Confirmation: Wis 9:17; Acts 8:14-19; 13:3; 19:1-6; 2 Cor 1:21-22; Eph 1:13; Heb 6:1-2

Eucharist: Mt 26:26-28; Mk 14:22-24; Lk 22:19-20; Jn 6:47-66; 1 Cor 10:16; 11:23-30

Holy Orders: Mt 18:18; Lk 10:16; 22:19; 24:47; Jn 13:20; 15:5; Acts 6:6; 15:2-6; 20:17, 28; 21:18; 1 Tm 3:1-7; 4:14; 5:17; 2 Tm 1:6; Ti 1:5-9; 1 Pt 5:1.

Marriage: Gn 1:26-31; 2:18-25; Sg 6:3; Mt 5:31-32; 19:1-9; Mk 10:2-12; Lk 16:18; Jn 2:1-11; Rom 7:2-3; 1 Cor 7:1-24; 7:39; Eph 5:25-32; Heb 13:4; 1 Pt 3:1-9; Rv 19:9.

Sacrament of the Sick: Mk 6:5, 12-13; Lk 13:13; Acts 9:17-18; 1 Cor 12:9, 30; Jas 5:14-15.