Well, we have to make a distinction here:
First these rites became tradition,
then their comprehension as sacraments was devised.
The number seven comes into play only in the second step.
The official definition of a sacrament involves that it originates from a deed of Jesus.
The most important rite outside that list is of course: the funeral.
For being so similar to a sacramentum and for lack of a testimony of Jesus attending a funeral, it is calle a sacramentalium.
Of course, although he was late for Lazarus, Jesus must have attended plenty of funerals. This would be as central to Jewish religious life as, say, attending synagogue services.
Compare with weddings: Here we only have his participation in the party at Cana. Despite the miracle, his engagement was not as central as with the last supper. However, this is (almost) the only vindication to count marriage as a sacrament, and funerals not.
Also note the different originins of these rites:
Of course, weddings and funerals are also Jewish rites, and most probably this tradition was just continued and then gradually altered.
Eucharist and baptism are truly directly linked to Jesus (and John of course).
But there is also a very strong influence interpretation:
Now going alternate, let's ask: What else can the gospels provide?
And which alternate interpretations are possible?
Just a few ideas ...
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Quick answer: Pick ten big-shots from the old testament.
Or the Twelve Apostles. ;-)
Peter the Apostle was mentioned.
Charlemagne (allegedly Salomonically polygamic).
Hubertus.
Elisabeth of Thuringia - isn't the current queen of England one of her off-springs?
Paolo Chong Hasan and Chechillia (Caecilia) Yu So-sa, and most probably several others from the 103 Korean maryrs recently canonized.
And of course: Augustin, the church father. OK, he wasn't even married to the mother of his child, but I guess that counts twice then.
First these rites became tradition,
then their comprehension as sacraments was devised.
The number seven comes into play only in the second step.
The official definition of a sacrament involves that it originates from a deed of Jesus.
The most important rite outside that list is of course: the funeral.
For being so similar to a sacramentum and for lack of a testimony of Jesus attending a funeral, it is calle a sacramentalium.
Of course, although he was late for Lazarus, Jesus must have attended plenty of funerals. This would be as central to Jewish religious life as, say, attending synagogue services.
Compare with weddings: Here we only have his participation in the party at Cana. Despite the miracle, his engagement was not as central as with the last supper. However, this is (almost) the only vindication to count marriage as a sacrament, and funerals not.
Also note the different originins of these rites:
Of course, weddings and funerals are also Jewish rites, and most probably this tradition was just continued and then gradually altered.
Eucharist and baptism are truly directly linked to Jesus (and John of course).
But there is also a very strong influence interpretation:
- The later habit of christening children led to combining Jesus' sentence 'Let the children come to me' to his actual baptism by John.
- Likewise, the laying-on of hands to ordain for certain duties in the early communities was later referred to Jesus' emission(s) of his disciples. I presume the Old Church rather referred a lot the Holy Spirit, and thus understood these actions as the continuation of Pentecost.
- On the other hand, ordination and confirmation are of course direct references to the sending of the Holy spirit; but is that the only way of referencing it?
Now going alternate, let's ask: What else can the gospels provide?
And which alternate interpretations are possible?
- There could be a Children's Blessing, apart from baptism. If baptism stays restrained to adults.
- Foot-washing has a chance as an independent rite (apart from Eucharist and a single day in the year) if there is an occasion for it. Perhaps a bishop should do so to his priests, or an abbot to the monks right after his consecration?
- Include funerals. Jesus was buried himself, so it is possible to count it that way.
- Jesus linking Mary and John from the cross as though they were related could lead to a completely new habit ...
- The story of the 12 year old Jesus in the temple could provide a justification for a tradition to leave 12olds in clerical care once for a couple of days, to study scripture.
Just a few ideas ...
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Here is a fun exercise: Name ten saints who were married and who made babies through sexual intercourse.
Quick answer: Pick ten big-shots from the old testament.
Or the Twelve Apostles. ;-)
The only one I could think of is St. Helena the empress.
Peter the Apostle was mentioned.
Charlemagne (allegedly Salomonically polygamic).
Hubertus.
Elisabeth of Thuringia - isn't the current queen of England one of her off-springs?
Paolo Chong Hasan and Chechillia (Caecilia) Yu So-sa, and most probably several others from the 103 Korean maryrs recently canonized.
And of course: Augustin, the church father. OK, he wasn't even married to the mother of his child, but I guess that counts twice then.
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