Getting Christ Better

The church has sometimes flip-flopped between word and sacrament. Some prefer one over the other. Of course both are essential and are good. The sacrament depends on the word and the word seals the sacraments.

Some have denigrated the sacraments as unnecessary appendages, as if the word alone ought to be enough for us.

It is said, "We do not get a better Christ in the sacraments, but we may get Christ better."

Well, perhaps. We get him in a way that is adapted to our creaturely touch and taste and sense of smell.

But of course we should not use this to deprecate the word. The word too is physical and creaturely and perfectly meets our need and God's purposes for it and us. 

It is just that we need both word and sacrament. And thankfully God has given them to us.