As part of our novitiate formation for monastic life, we aspiring monks were all taught to think of the present moment as a sacrament. Of course, it’s not one of the official seven sacraments of the Church, but if you think about the definition of a sacrament, it would certainly qualify. A sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace. Aside from the fact that the present moment was really instituted by God the Father when God created heaven and earth, the definition of a sacrament fits. God gives us the present moment as an outward sign to help sanctify us and give us an opportunity to receive grace if only we will cooperate with it. The present moment is the only one we can actually live in and take advantage of; the past is gone and the future hasn’t happened yet.
In his book Abandonment to Divine Providence, which has a translated version titled The Sacrament of the Present Moment, Father Jean Pierre de Caussade says “There is not a moment in which God does not present Godself under the cover of some pain to be endured, of some consolation to be enjoyed, or of some duty to be performed.” Every moment that we have is an opportunity to serve and glorify God in whatever we are doing, whether it is our work, leisure, or some trial we are undergoing. It is all an opportunity for grace. When we ask God to be with us at every moment of our day to help us cooperate with the graces God is offering us, we sanctify the present moment and take full advantage of this little sacrament that God has instituted for us.
For those of us who suffer from anxiety, reminding ourselves that the moment we are currently in is the only one that matters and the only one we can make use of may help, as well as just telling Jesus, “I’m struggling with these thoughts, Lord. Help me bear this cross in a way that is pleasing to you and give me greater trust in your plans for me.”
Just as with the official sacraments of the Church that we receive regularly, we need to be open to receiving all that the sacrament of the present moment has to offer us in order fully to reap its benefits. Asking God to help us see God in every moment of our day will open our hearts to see the graces God is offering us and be able to cooperate with them fully.
I pray that 2025 may be a year full of sacramental moments for us all.
Gerry Creaney
