|
Objection 1: It seems that all the sacraments are necessary for
salvation. For what is not necessary seems to be superfluous. But no
sacrament is superfluous, because "God does nothing without a
purpose" (De Coelo et Mundo i). Therefore all the sacraments are
necessary for salvation.
Objection 2: Further, just as it is said of Baptism (Jn.
3:5): "Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost,
he cannot enter in to the kingdom of God," so of the Eucharist is it
said (Jn. 6:54): "Except you eat of the flesh of the Son of
Man, and drink of His blood, you shall not have life in you."
Therefore, just as Baptism is a necessary sacrament, so is the
Eucharist.
Objection 3: Further, a man can be saved without the sacrament of
Baptism, provided that some unavoidable obstacle, and not his
contempt for religion, debar him from the sacrament, as we shall state
further on (Question 68, Article 2). But contempt of religion
in any sacrament is a hindrance to salvation. Therefore, in like
manner, all the sacraments are necessary for salvation.
On the contrary, Children are saved by Baptism alone without the
other sacraments.
I answer that, Necessity of end, of which we speak now, is
twofold. First, a thing may be necessary so that without it the end
cannot be attained; thus food is necessary for human life. And this
is simple necessity of end. Secondly, a thing is said to be
necessary, if, without it, the end cannot be attained so becomingly:
thus a horse is necessary for a journey. But this is not simple
necessity of end.
In the first way, three sacraments are necessary for salvation. Two
of them are necessary to the individual; Baptism, simply and
absolutely; Penance, in the case of mortal sin committed after
Baptism; while the sacrament of order is necessary to the Church,
since "where there is no governor the people shall fall" (Prov.
11:14).
But in the second way the other sacraments are necessary. For in a
sense Confirmation perfects Baptism; Extreme Unction perfects
Penance; while Matrimony, by multiplying them, preserves the
numbers in the Church.
Reply to Objection 1: For a thing not to be superfluous it is
enough if it be necessary either in the first or the second way. It is
thus that the sacraments are necessary, as stated above.
Reply to Objection 2: These words of our Lord are to be understood
of spiritual, and not of merely sacramental, eating, as Augustine
explains (Tract. xxvi super Joan.).
Reply to Objection 3: Although contempt of any of the sacraments is
a hindrance to salvation, yet it does not amount to contempt of the
sacrament, if anyone does not trouble to receive a sacrament that is
not necessary for salvation. Else those who do not receive orders,
and those who do not contract Matrimony, would be guilty of contempt
of those sacraments.
|
|