Sacraments are celebrations of Christian tradition, of Christian life and of Christian hope. They share the dimensions of past, present and future that give ordinary celebrations meaning. St. Thomas Aquinas wrote a prayer about the Eucharist that illustrates the point:

 "O sacred banquet, in which Christ is received, the memory of his Passion is renewed [past], the mind is filled with grace [present], and the pledge of future glory is given to us [future]."

Today we commemorate this understanding of sacrament when we pray the following version of the Memorial Acclamation at Mass: "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again."

Sacraments, though, are no ordinary celebrations. They are special occasions for experiencing God's saving presence. It is important for people to be in touch with what the sacraments celebrate if the rituals are to be as meaningful as possible for them. . The sacrament also calls people to get in touch with the sacred realities it celebrates. The more people respond to this call (for example, Reconciliation's call to forgive and accept forgiveness), the more they will find meaning in the sacrament.

Each sacrament dramatizes and points to something that is happening in the lives of people who belong to the celebrating community. For example, Eucharist strengthens the unity of Christians as they receive it. It celebrates God's nourishing presence with us now. Sacraments celebrate the community's life now.