Calvary made present

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I’ve been learning about the Eucharist, and a common thought is that the Eucharist makes Calvary present to us.

But I’ve been listening to Dr David Anders (via YouTube)… and I like him very much. But he said something that bothers me. He said (at the 51:40 mark) “you are not somehow mystically translated to the foot of the cross outside of time and space”. But I’ve heard otherwise from other speakers.

Does anybody have good articles that I can read about this?

Listen to Dr Anders response at the following link (starting from the 47:22 mark):

 
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czeaiter said:
I’ve been learning about the Eucharist, and a common thought is that the Eucharist makes Calvary present to us.

But I’ve been listening to Dr David Anders (via YouTube)… and I like him very much. But he said something that bothers me. He said (at the 51:40 mark) “you are not somehow mystically translated to the foot of the cross outside of time and space”. But I’ve heard otherwise from other speakers.

Does anybody have good articles that I can read about this?

Listen to Dr Anders response at the following link (starting from the 47:22 mark):
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I don’t know what he meant; the only one who can clarify his statement is himself.

If he meant to say it’s not a time machine, he would be right. But that statement as phrased can also be understood in an orthodox manner: the event is made present to us. Do a search for the Greek term “anamnesis” and the Hebrew “zikkaron”.

If you want a good treatment of this, I don’t have an article but a book for you to read: The Lamb’s Supper by Scott Hahn. A bit drier, but still invaluable reading, is Cardinal Ratzinger’s “The Spirit of the Liturgy”.
 
More generally, in the Eucharist, Jesus Christ makes himself present to us, and he joins us to himself. That means the Eucharist connects us to Jesus at the Last Supper, on the Cross, and a lot more.
 
Okay, now that I have watched the segment of the YouTube video that you recommended, I get the impression that Dr. Anders is basing his argument on the idea that Jesus Christ is divided. For example, he speaks of numerically distinct sacrifices, and the distinction between Jesus’ dead body and resurrected body.

I am not very familiar with the theology of which Dr. Anders speaks. I have read a little bit of Cardinal Ratzinger’s writings, which planted the idea in my mind that Jesus Christ, present in the Eucharist, is whole and undivided, and that every sacrifice of the Mass, everywhere and in every age, is one with Jesus’ own sacrifice, begun at the Last Supper and completed on Calvary.
 
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I recently read the linked short article which I think very succinctly presents authentic teaching. Incidentally, there is much fine material on this site and food for thought.

 
Beryllos said:
Jesus Christ, present in the Eucharist, is whole and undivided, and that every sacrifice of the Mass, everywhere and in every age, is one with Jesus’ own sacrifice, begun at the Last Supper and completed on Calvary.
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Right, but that doesn’t mean that our participation in the Mass places us at Calvary. You can assert a rather tenuous spiritualization of the Mass that makes that claim in a figurative sense.

The sacrifice of Jesus is one and the same. Each Mass is not.
 
How do you reconcile “real presence” with “tenuous spiritualization”?

🤔
 
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The risen Jesus enthroned in heaven still bears the wounds of Calvary in his hands and side. (John 20:20-27; Revelation 5:6) So, I think, it can be said that wherever the risen Jesus is present, such as in the Eucharist, his sacrifice on Calvary is also made present.
 
have you tried to call-in to his show and ask for a further explanation? or emailed him

He has a website that may explain it more
 
Gorgias said:
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Beryllos:
How do you reconcile “real presence” with “tenuous spiritualization”?
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Jesus is truly present. That doesn’t mean that Calvary is truly present, either physically or sacramentally.
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Not necessarily, and that’s why Dr. Anders needs to clarify his statement.

Mass is an act of anamnesis, which means the events being commemorated are indeed made present in a mystical manner. Mass is a participation in the heavenly liturgy wherein Christ is the eternal High Priest, but his Sacrifice is one and the same. Since it’s impossible to have multiple Sacrifices, then Calvary must indeed be present in some way. As is the Resurrection. As is his Ascension. The whole Paschal Mystery. The Sacrifice is made present by the separate consecration of the bread and the wine. And since Mass is not merely “symbolic”, there is a reality to the events of Calvary made present on the altar.
 
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