mechanical element into the relationship with God: the human being performs a certain rite and God automatically doles out the gifts. But if one insists that the sacraments merely express and remind the believer of a state of affairs which is already in existence, one seems to rob them of any real and deep significance. Rahner’s position is that this question itself is based on a false dichotomy. The sacraments, he maintains, in fact cause grace by symbolizing it. Now there is nothing new in saying