Hebrews 10:10-11. Help!

[JD27076]

Hebrews 10:10-11, “10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.” This sounds very WEIRD. This sounds like what Catholic priest do everyday. Please explain this to me. Thank you!

 

[Thankfulness]

This is talking about Jewish priests before the coming of Christ

Hebrews 9:7-14

“7 But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. 9 This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshipper. 10 They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order. 11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.”

Note, 10 They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order. Until Christ came
Catholic priests are not Jewish priests.
Christ established the new priesthood and the new covenant

“The One that offers Sacrifice is the same One who, after having sacrificed himself on the Cross…to obtain for us eternal redemption…offers Himself now by the ministry of the priest; there is no difference except in the manner of offering.” [Council of Trent, S. 22, c.2] “For in it Christ perpetuates in an unbloody manner the sacrifice offered on the Cross, offering Himself to the Father for the world’s salvation through the ministry of priests.” [Vatican 2 Documents.9:3]
“The Eucharistic Sacrifice is the source and summit of the whole of the Church’s worship and of Christian life. The faithful participate more fully in the sacrament of thanksgiving, propitiation, petition and praise not only when they wholeheartedly offer the sacred Victim, and in it themselves to the Father with the priest, but also when they receive this same Victim sacramentally.” [Vatican 2 Documents :9]

“The faithful are gathered by the preaching of Christ’s Gospel and the mystery of the Lord’s Supper is celebrated, ‘so that through the Body and Blood of the Lord the whole brotherhood is united…Christ is present, by whose power the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church is united. For the partaking has no less an effect than to change us into what we have received.’” [Vatican 11.9:7. Constitution of the Church, n.26] “But union with Christ…is not to be limited to the duration of the celebration of the Eucharist; it is to be prolonged into the entire Christian life…(as) a continual thanksgiving under the Holy Spirit and may produce fruits of greater charity.” [Vatican 11.9. iii. 38]

The Mass, Catechism of the Catholic Church: scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a3.htm

scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s1c1a2.htm

scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c3a6.htm

 

[Barbkw]

**Mt. 26: 26-28 "[26]

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My Body.” And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you; [28] for this is My Blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. **

How often did the Apostles come together for the Breaking of the Bread?

Every week on the first day of the week (which was Sunday for Judeo-Christians).

How does Jesus remove sin through the Eucharist?

*Mortal sins are removed through His priest in the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to receiving Eucharist.

Venial sins are removed from the repentant during active participation in the Mass or upon reciting the Confiteor Prayer *

 

[po18guy]

Hebrews 10:10-11, “10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.” This sounds very WEIRD. This sounds like what Catholic priest do everyday. Please explain this to me. Thank you!

Two books will help you greatly on your journey: Catholicism for Dummies and 7 Secrets of the Eucharist. Once you have them, you will rest easily.

This points to the difficulties and errors that occur in the private interpretation of scripture. Not one of us here is qualified or authorized to interpret scripture. We leave it up to the Church, which received its authority directly from Christ.

 

[Swiss_Guy]

Hebrews 10:10-11, “10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.” This sounds very WEIRD. This sounds like what Catholic priest do everyday. Please explain this to me. Thank you!

It said they can never take away sins. I don’t understand the problem.

 

[Nita]

Hebrews 10:10-11, “10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.” This sounds very WEIRD. This sounds like what Catholic priest do everyday. Please explain this to me. Thank you!

Vs. 11: "And every priest…offering oftentimes the same sacrifices.
Note the plural on “sacrifices”. It refers to the sacrifices offered by the OT priests. It is plural because each time a different animal had to be killed and offered in sacrifice.
There were many sacrificial slayings/deaths; many victims who were offered.to God.

VS. 10 "we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
In the NT, there is only one sacrifice - one sacrificial death; one who is offered.
It is this one sacrificial victim and act (Jesus’ passion and death) who is offered to God by the priest at every Mass. Jesus gave us this tangible means to offer His once for all sacrifice - making it present in all generations.*Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you. **Do this *in remembrance of me." 22:20 And likewise the cup after supper, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

 

[may_they_be_one]

Vs. 11: "And every priest…offering oftentimes the same sacrifices.
Note the plural on “sacrifices”. It refers to the sacrifices offered by the OT priests. It is plural because each time a different animal had to be killed and offered in sacrifice.
There were many sacrificial slayings/deaths; many victims who were offered.to God.

VS. 10 "we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
In the NT, there is only one sacrifice - one sacrificial death; one who is offered.
It is this one sacrificial victim and act (Jesus’ passion and death) who is offered to God by the priest at every Mass. Jesus gave us this tangible means to offer His once for all sacrifice - making it present in all generations.*Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. **Do this ***in remembrance of me.” 22:20 And likewise the cup after supper, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

Heb 10:11 says “Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices.” The reference you make to this meaning “many” sacrifices doesn’t make sense here.

Why does the Mass have to be a re-sacrifice? Why can’t it just be a rememberence of Christ’s one-time sacrificial death, in which we partake of His eternal body? Jesus said, “do this to remember me”, not to re-sacrifice me.

Heb 10:10 “Christ made this sacrifice only once for all time”…

Then, when we look at Heb 13:15, “Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name… And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased,” the Word clearly states the type of continual sacrifice we should be giving is praise from our lips, and helping others.

Thanks for continuing this conversation with me! I know it was started months ago…

 

[Della]

Heb 10:11 says “Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices.” The reference you make to this meaning “many” sacrifices doesn’t make sense here.

The “same” sacrifice here means the same old sacrifices of the OT–sheep, lambs, goats, etc. not the bread and wine of the Eucharist.

Why does the Mass have to be a re-sacrifice? Why can’t it just be a rememberence of Christ’s one-time sacrificial death, in which we partake of His eternal body? Jesus said, “do this to remember me”, not to re-sacrifice me.

It’s not a “re-sacrifice”, which is impossible, but the “re-presenting” of the one sacrifice Christ made that he continues to make in eternity, outside of time and space

Heb 10:10 “Christ made this sacrifice only once for all time”…

Yes indeed he did. In eternity, which makes it continual. This sacrifice is the one he made to satisfy God’s justice, for our sins. The Eucharist is the re-presenting/making present this one sacrifice. It’s not a new sacrifice, but the one Christ is continually offering to the Father in eternity.

Then, when we look at Heb 13:15, “Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name… And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased,” the Word clearly states the type of continual sacrifice we should be giving is praise from our lips, and helping others.

This is a different type of sacrifice not offered for sin but offered in gratitude and because Christ commanded us to love one another as he loved us. Such love is agape or sacraficial love because it puts others before ourselves for the love of God. It does not take the place of the sacrifice of the altar (the re-presenting/participation in the one sacrifice of Christ). Rather it supplements and compliments the daily eucharistic sacrifice.

Thanks for continuing this conversation with me! I know it was started months ago…

You’re welcome. We’re always happy to explain our faith to those who ask. :tiphat:

 

[Nita]

Heb 10:11 says “Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices.” The reference you make to this meaning “many” sacrifices doesn’t make sense here.

Why does the Mass have to be a re-sacrifice? Why can’t it just be a rememberence of Christ’s one-time sacrificial death, in which we partake of His eternal body? Jesus said, “do this to remember me”, not to re-sacrifice me.

Heb 10:10 “Christ made this sacrifice only once for all time”…

It IS a remembrance/memorial sacrifice. Think about what happens when you “remember”. It makes a past event present. If it’s just a mental making present, you might call it a “thought memorial”. But Jesus didn’t want just a mental memorial/remembrance or vocal recitation of His sacrifice. He said “Do this” --** “this”,** – the very same thing that Jesus did at the Last Supper. “Do”, not just “mentally remember”, “think about” or “recite”. And what Jesus did at the Last Supper was to change bread into His flesh - the flesh that would be/was/and is given up for us; and He changed the wine into His blood that would be/was/and is poured out for us. **“Do”, **not only “think about” or “recite”. “Doing” is an act/action; a memorial “doing” makes the act/action present again. It’s not a new or different act/action; it’s limited to the singular act that is being “remembered/memorialized”. And in the Mass, the act that is being made present is Our Lord, His sacrifical offering of His flesh and pouring out of His blood for us.

God had prepared His people to understand that a “memorial” of an act/action did not mean just a mental remembering or verbal recounting of the event. The Passover memorial had be an actual making present of a real sacrificed lamb. The lamb’s death provided the blood on the lintel that saved them from the destroying angels, it also provided real food for their journey to the Promised Land. Jesus’ death saved/saves us from eternal damnation and is unbelievably nourishing food for our journey to heaven.

Whenever you read about the OT sacrifices, look for the ways they prefigure and are all fulfilled in Our Lord’s sacrifice on Calvary and the Sacrifice of the Mass which Jesus instituted to provide us with the only pure offering that secured our redemption. It not only helps understand why God would have ordered so much animal slaughter, but also to make us realize the need we have to make a sacrificial offering for sins we commit - when we commit them. It’s all just so awesome. But don’t expect to soak it all in in just one day, week or year.

 

[TimothyH]

Two books will help you greatly on your journey: Catholicism for Dummies and 7 Secrets of the Eucharist. Once you have them, you will rest easily.

This points to the difficulties and errors that occur in the private interpretation of scripture. Not one of us here is qualified or authorized to interpret scripture. We leave it up to the Church, which received its authority directly from Christ.

po18…

I have to tell you that these types of statements frustrate me a little, and when I hear statements that we are not qualified or authorized to interpret scripture and that we leave it up to the Church, I wonder if the person saying that actually reads scripture regularly.

I hope you don’t take my comments personally but in the spirit of charity.

With all due respect, every single person is open to the written word of God. It is a great gift that we are able to have scripture so readily available to us. All we have to do is pray, open up the book, read, and there God is speaking to us; speaking to humanity as a whole and speaking to us individually as his children right where we are here and now.

Catholics are free to interpret scripture, but we check that interpretation of scripture against 2000 years of Church teaching, Tradition and guidance. We read scritpure within the framework of the Church. The Church is our guide and our shepherd, and we have to listen to the Church so that we don’t fall into error.

God however, has much to say to us - to us personally - by simply opening up the book and reading it. People who don’t do that are missing out on something very special in their lives. Other than Mass and confession, reading scripture is the best part of my life.

-Tim-

 

[fbl9]

Hebrews 10:10-11, “10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.” This sounds very WEIRD. This sounds like what Catholic priest do everyday. Please explain this to me. Thank you!

The Catholic priest is offering Jesus’s sacrifice, for it is Christ’s sacrifice that is the only one acceptable to God. Jesus is not re-sacrificed but offered again for the good of all mankind. It is through this that Jesus’s action in time is brought forward in time.

 

[may_they_be_one]

It’s not a “re-sacrifice”, which is impossible, but the “re-presenting” of the one sacrifice Christ made that he continues to make in eternity, outside of time and space

This sacrifice is the one he made to satisfy God’s justice, for our sins. The Eucharist is the re-presenting/making present this one sacrifice. It’s not a new sacrifice, but the one Christ is continually offering to the Father in eternity.

The explanation makes sense, but the actual words of the Liturgy are what’s confusing (from eucharistic prayer IV):

"Therefore, O Lord,
as we now celebrate the memorial of our redemption,
we remember Christ’s Death
and his descent to the realm of the dead,
we proclaim his Resurrection
and his Ascension to your right hand,
and, as we await his coming in glory,
we offer you his Body and Blood,
THIS IS THE CONFUSING PART… it sounds like it’s a new offering, not the ONE that took place on the cross

the sacrifice acceptable to you
which brings salvation to the whole world.
Look, O Lord, upon the Sacrifice
which you yourself have provided for your Church,
and grant in your loving kindness
to all who partake of this one Bread and one Chalice
that, gathered into one body by the Holy Spirit,
they may truly become a living sacrifice in Christ
to the praise of your glory.
Therefore, Lord, remember now
all for whom we offer this sacrifice:
AGAIN, SOUNDS LIKE EACH MASS IS ANOTHER SACRIFICE, & since each Mass can be offered for different people, it seems to imply a multiplicity…

especially your servant N. our Pope,
N. our Bishop,* and the whole Order of Bishops,
all the clergy,
those who take part in this offering,…"

And, from eucharistic prayer III:

“Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorial
of the saving Passion of your Son,
his wondrous Resurrection
and Ascension into heaven,
and as we look forward to his second coming,
we offer you in thanksgiving
this holy and living sacrifice.”
THE WORD “THIS” SEEMS TO MAKE A DISTINCTION that it is another, separate act of sacrifice…

For clarity, I attend Mass as often as possible, and I don’t receive Holy Communion with unconfessed mortal sin, have gone to eucharistic adoration, and I love the liturgy more than any other type of church service. However, because this idea of the Mass as a sacrifice keeps us separated from MANY non-Catholic brethren, I struggle deeply with the idea.

Thanks for continuing this discussion!

 

[Nita]

For clarity, I attend Mass as often as possible, and I don’t receive Holy Communion with unconfessed mortal sin, have gone to eucharistic adoration, and I love the liturgy more than any other type of church service. However, because this idea of the Mass as a sacrifice keeps us separated from MANY non-Catholic brethren, I struggle deeply with the idea.

Thanks for continuing this discussion!

I think the problem many people have with the concept of sacrifice is that they think of the actual killing/death as what is offered to God - that the act of slaying is what is what is offered. Death/killing is not pleasing to God. Jesus didn’t slay Himself - killing is no “deed” that He did/authored so He could offer it to the Father. It is **only what Jesus did **that is offered to the Father; it is only His acts that are capable of meriting the graces needed for our redemption.The sacrifice Jesus offered is total obedience to the Father and love for us. He offered a loving obedience that continued even while undergoing human pain and death. He offered a love for us - love so great that He was not only willing to die for us, but did die for us so that we might be saved. As I said above, it is only what was done (and continues to be done) by Jesus that constitutes the sacrifical offering that merits our redemption. The acts of the sinful crowds and executioners only constituted the circumstances under which this offering was made here on earth.

Here is a Scripture quote that I have always found interesting - and could have an application.
Rev. 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors,* for their deeds follow them***!"
It doesn’t say just the mental remembrance will go with them, but the actual deeds. It’s as tho what is done once here on earth is eternally present in heaven. We don’t keep repeating them, doing them over again (those would be new, different deeds), they’re just there; they’ve come along into heaven with us. (This would refer to only our good deeds since only what is good can enter heaven - sinful deeds having been purged.)
Jesus of course had no sin, and all His deeds are good and therefore would have “followed” Him into eternal life. That obedience and love even thru death on the cross are eternally present in heaven - eternally an offering on our behalf. The sacrifice of the Mass is the means Jesus’ instituted to make this sacrificial offering present for us here in time so we can offer this pure and holy sacrificial offering of His as part of our worship and prayer to the Father.

 

[Della]

The explanation makes sense, but the actual words of the Liturgy are what’s confusing (from eucharistic prayer IV):

"Therefore, O Lord,
as we now celebrate the memorial of our redemption,
we remember Christ’s Death
and his descent to the realm of the dead,
we proclaim his Resurrection
and his Ascension to your right hand,
and, as we await his coming in glory,
we offer you his Body and Blood,
THIS IS THE CONFUSING PART… it sounds like it’s a new offering, not the ONE that took place on the cross

the sacrifice acceptable to you
which brings salvation to the whole world.
Look, O Lord, upon the Sacrifice
which you yourself have provided for your Church,
and grant in your loving kindness
to all who partake of this one Bread and one Chalice
that, gathered into one body by the Holy Spirit,
they may truly become a living sacrifice in Christ
to the praise of your glory.
Therefore, Lord, remember now
all for whom we offer this sacrifice:
AGAIN, SOUNDS LIKE EACH MASS IS ANOTHER SACRIFICE, & since each Mass can be offered for different people, it seems to imply a multiplicity…

especially your servant N. our Pope,
N. our Bishop,* and the whole Order of Bishops,
all the clergy,
those who take part in this offering,…"

And, from eucharistic prayer III:

“Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorial
of the saving Passion of your Son,
his wondrous Resurrection
and Ascension into heaven,
and as we look forward to his second coming,
we offer you in thanksgiving
this holy and living sacrifice.”
THE WORD “THIS” SEEMS TO MAKE A DISTINCTION that it is another, separate act of sacrifice…

For clarity, I attend Mass as often as possible, and I don’t receive Holy Communion with unconfessed mortal sin, have gone to eucharistic adoration, and I love the liturgy more than any other type of church service. However, because this idea of the Mass as a sacrifice keeps us separated from MANY non-Catholic brethren, I struggle deeply with the idea.

Thanks for continuing this discussion!

These phrases refer to the fact that at the words of consecration Christ is present on the altar offering in time and space the one sacrifice he is continually offering in eternity. It’s where time and space meet eternity. Just how that happens is a mystery of the faith, one of many we believe.

The reason this teaching separates us from many other Christians is because they have strayed from the fullness of truth. I find it peculiar that the same people who say they take the Bible literally, word for word, deny Christ’s own words when he said, “This is my body…” “this is my blood…” but explain them away as merely spiritual and then pick verses out of context to try to lend support to their denial. That is not good bibical interpretation nor is it sound theology.

 

[may_they_be_one]

These phrases refer to the fact that at the words of consecration Christ is present on the altar offering in time and space the one sacrifice he is continually offering in eternity. It’s where time and space meet eternity. Just how that happens is a mystery of the faith, one of many we believe.

The reason this teaching separates us from many other Christians is because they have strayed from the fullness of truth. I find it peculiar that the same people who say they take the Bible literally, word for word, deny Christ’s own words when he said, “This is my body…” “this is my blood…” but explain them away as merely spiritual and then pick verses out of context to try to lend support to their denial. That is not good bibical interpretation nor is it sound theology.

What Scripture does the Church use to validate the idea of an eternal sacrifice? Is it “the wedding feast of the lamb” spoken of in Matthew and Revelation?

And I definitely agree with the John 6 reference… very sad about the denial of this. I truly hope it doesn’t mean these believers will be left out of heaven.

I’m assuming the lack of belief by fellow Mass-attending Catholics in the true presence would also preclude them from the benefits of this doctrine? In addition to the polls done on this subject, there’s a significant portion of Catholics, in my experience, who go to Mass without really knowing what’s happening and why they’re there. They don’t sing/worship or participate in the responses with any enthusiasm. If they understood that there were millions of angels declaring the “Hosanna,” one would think the Catholics in question would show some enthusiasm…

Why doesn’t the Church recognize this and work seriously to do something about it? Why doesn’t the Church know how to evangelize Her members?

 

[Della]

What Scripture does the Church use to validate the idea of an eternal sacrifice? Is it “the wedding feast of the lamb” spoken of in Matthew and Revelation?

Yes. But these verses are witnesses to this truth. Even if this were not so explicitly evident in Scripture, this belief would still be valid because it is a part of Sacred Tradition of which the Bible is a large part, but not all.

And I definitely agree with the John 6 reference… very sad about the denial of this. I truly hope it doesn’t mean these believers will be left out of heaven.

Well, I wasn’t quoting John 6, but it’s pretty plainly stated there, as well. And no the Church does not hold that those who do not believe in the Real Presence will necessarily be left out. We leave deciding who will and won’t go to heaven up to God. But, to know what the Church teaches, fully understand it and then reject it may certainly put one in such danger.

I’m assuming the lack of belief by fellow Mass-attending Catholics in the true presence would also preclude them from the benefits of this doctrine? In addition to the polls done on this subject, there’s a significant portion of Catholics, in my experience, who go to Mass without really knowing what’s happening and why they’re there. They don’t sing/worship or participate in the responses with any enthusiasm. If they understood that there were millions of angels declaring the “Hosanna,” one would think the Catholics in question would show some enthusiasm…

Again, we cannot know the disposition of anyone’s heart except our own, so we cannot say who is and isn’t receiving the graces of the Sacrament. And as to the poll, it was rather confusing in its wording and the average lay person isn’t familiar with the technical terms the Church uses, so it wasn’t a good gauge for belief in the RP. And although we might think nothing is going on in other’s hearts and minds from outward appearances, we really can’t determine that, either. For instance, I have a medical condition that makes me quite tired and so I tend to yawn, and I can’t sing the way I used to–I literally run out of air into the 2nd or 3rd verse, so I don’t always join in the singing. Participation at Mass only reguires us to be there. If we put anything into it or not is up to us. The Holy Spirit is able to stir people who come to Mass–it may take time, but it often happens that people will say they were blind and deaf as young people and thought they knew everything, but when they hit real life without mom and dad to rescue them from their troubles, that’s when they started to take their faith seriously.

Why doesn’t the Church recognize this and work seriously to do something about it? Why doesn’t the Church know how to evangelize Her members?

I understand your concern. But our priests are pretty busy as it is. The best way to help others is to be enthusiastic ourselves and join in Bible studies/prayer groups/outreach activities at our parishes. Catholics may not shout alleluia at every word the priest/deacon preaches, but we like to show our faith by our actions as much as our worship. The more we join in ourselves, the more we encourage others to do so, as well.