Recalling the Biblical and Patristic roots of the Church's sacramental identity, the Second Vatican Council calls the Church the 'visible sacrament' of that unity offered through Christ (LG 9). 'Sacrament' in this sense not only describes who the Church is, but what she does. In this regard, the Council Fathers were careful to establish a strong connection between the symbolic nature of the Church's sacraments and their effect on those who received them. Reginald Lynch is concerned with the cleansing of the heart—a phrase borrowed from St. Augustine and employed by Aquinas, which describes the effects that natural elements such as water or bread have on the human person when taken up by the Church as sacramental signs. Aquinas' approach to sacramental efficacy is unique for its integration of diverse theological topics such as Christology, merit, grace, creation and instrumentality. While all of these topics will be considered to some extent, the primary focus of The Cleansing of the Heart is the sacraments understood as instrumental causes of grace. This volume provides the historical context for understanding the development of sacramental causality as a theological topic in the scholastic period, emphasizing the unique features of Aquinas' response to this question. Following this, relevant texts from Aquinas' early and later work are examined, noting Aquinas' development and integration of the idea of sacramental causality in his later work. The Cleansing of the Heart concludes by contrasting alternatives to Aquinas' theory of sacramental causality that subsequently emerged. The rise of humanism introduced many changes within rhetoric and philosophy of language that had a profound effect on some theologians during the Modern period. This book provides historical context for understanding the most prominent of these theories in contrast to Aquinas, and examines some of their theological implications.

Struggling to pluck the sin from your life but having trouble conquering your past? Biblical counseling is a resource for Christians who need help locating the sin in their lives and cutting it out. David and Beverly Sedlacek offer the truths they have learned through years of clinical practice in this comprehensive guide to Cleansing the Sanctuary of the Heart. This book is a distillation of the biblical principles the Sedlaceks have used to heal others who have sought counseling for addictions, mental and emotional disorders, relationship problems, and abuse. "Having personally experienced this cleansing of the heart, I recommend highly a heartfelt immersion in this book by the Sedlaceks...As I wallowed near the end of a self-destructive path, the Sedlaceks poured into my heart the transforming message of a loving God who can indeed cleanse one's heart; of a God who can mend torn relationships; of a God who can extinguish the flames of hurt, bitterness, and resentment with Living Water...My prayer for every reader would be to experience the peace I have found." --Fred A. Moore, Public Relations and Communications Expert

Cleansing the Sanctuary of the Heart is filled with the stories of real people who have had the courage to face the pain of their abuse, addictions and relational challenges. They have chosen to walk the path to healing. We do not claim that they live a life free from emotional pain today, but they have learned that on the journey of life in this fallen world, they are not alone. They have the promise of a loving God who has said that he will never leave them nor forsake them (Hebrews 13:5), that he would be with them in the darkest of times (Psalm 23:4), and even that he is suffering with them and carrying them while they are suffering (Isaiah 63:9). These courageous people are maturing and growing into the men and women that God created them to be. They are learning to be honest with themselves and others, humble and repentant as they face the truth about themselves, open to receiving the comfort and healing of God, and forgiving as they have been forgiven (Ephesians 4:32). On this journey, they are being healed but also equipped to be used as instruments of healing in the lives of others (2Cor. 1:3-5) and to be used to prepare this world for the second coming of Jesus Christ.

The essays in this volume explore three areas in which St. Thomas Aquinas's voice has never fallen silent: sacred doctrine, the relationship of sacraments and metaphysics, and the central role of virtue in moral theology.

This volume has been compiled using quotes from 13 of AA's books for use in living experience of the "Programme," which we recognise as the Steps. WE STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL WISHING TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE 12 STEPS DO AS WE HAVE DONE AND PURCHASE AND STUDY THE FOLLOWING BOOKS OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Alcoholics Anonymous The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions As Bill Sees It The Language of the Heart Came to Believe The Best of the Grapevine Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers Experience, Strength, and Hope Pass it On-Bill Wilson and the AA Message Daily Reflections The Home Group: Heartbeat of AA AA Comes of Age Living Sober WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO FIND, AND "PULL OUT," THE EXPERIENCE OF THE 12 STEPS IN THE MANY LIVES OF THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THOSE 13 BOOKS AND THE ROOMS OF 12 STEP MEETINGS. Our thanks and gratitude to Alcoholics Anonymous for the gift they have given to the world of the Twelve Steps. Read our blog

The heart of Jesus is sacred, and the lessons and examples it provides to us are paramount in our daily mission to follow in His footsteps. Max Lucado poses the question "what if, for one day and night, your heart was replaced by the heart of Christ?" That thought-provoking question leads to many personal revelations demonstrating that we can recast our hearts to be more like that of Jesus, and the blessings created by the transformation will unleash ripples to the widest edges of our lives and those around us.