c
c 


c
 Sign of union with godMeans to achieve
union with god
  c
c  
 """###$
Septuagint usage
a Sign of intimate union with god and unity among all
 which means  is the Greek men.
transliteration of mystery. a Instrument for the achievement of such union/unity.

c$Ultimately the church is a sacrament in Christ.

By the end of the second century A.D. it was used
interchangeably with:
a  - type
a symbol
a parable

The Greek word  is in 


it means a sacred sign or symbol,the word musterion
is connected with several concealed or secret things
in the New Testament. For example, the will of God,
purpose of God.

Mystery
%"$
Hidden and Unknown Reality
a Sacramental principle
Points to a Transcendent Reality
a Analogical principle
Divine Reality a Incarnational principle

Object of Faith !$

Church as Mystery a Basic illustration of mediation

a Paradigmatic model of divine human relationship
Vatican II
#&# ###'"($
Transcendent and Divine Reality
a The divine becomes human
Visibly Present Among Men a The word becomes flesh

The church is in history but at the same time ###)$

transcends it
a Through Jesus and in the spirit
The church is both visible and spiritual a Through the visible community of the disciples of
Jesus.
è  c
c c

 The church is not just an invisible reality

 Involving the relationship of the individual soul immediately
 with god
 !
The church is also visible human community
Symbol of aby means of which
Through which:
sacred thinggod exercises
his salvific actions a God comes to individuals
a Individuals come to God