How does the mass make Christ's death present?

[mdgspencer]

I have sometimes heard that Christ’s death on the cross is somehow present during the mass. This is not said to be a figure of speech, or to mean that we simply remember Christ’s passion and death during the mass. However, though I am widely read, I never have heard a clear explanation about what this means. I thought I would see what people here have to say about this.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

See paragraphs 1362–1372 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, excerpts below:

**The sacrificial memorial of Christ and of his Body, the Church **

1362 The Eucharist is the memorial of Christ’s Passover, the making present and the sacramental offering of his unique sacrifice, in the liturgy of the Church which is his Body. In all the Eucharistic Prayers we find after the words of institution a prayer called the anamnesis or memorial.

1363 In the sense of Sacred Scripture the memorial is not merely the recollection of past events but the proclamation of the mighty works wrought by God for men.182 In the liturgical celebration of these events, they become in a certain way present and real. This is how Israel understands its liberation from Egypt: every time Passover is celebrated, the Exodus events are made present to the memory of believers so that they may conform their lives to them.

1364 In the New Testament, the memorial takes on new meaning. When the Church celebrates the Eucharist, she commemorates Christ’s Passover, and it is made present the sacrifice Christ offered once for all on the cross remains ever present.183 "As often as the sacrifice of the Cross by which ‘Christ our Pasch has been sacrificed’ is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out."184

1365 Because it is the memorial of Christ’s Passover, the Eucharist is also a sacrifice. The sacrificial character of the Eucharist is manifested in the very words of institution: “This is my body which is given for you” and "This cup which is poured out for you is the New Covenant in my blood."185 In the Eucharist Christ gives us the very body which he gave up for us on the cross, the very blood which he "poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."186

1366 The Eucharist is thus a sacrifice because it re-presents (makes present) the sacrifice of the cross, because it is its memorial and because it applies its fruit:

[Christ], our Lord and God, was once and for all to offer himself to God the Father by his death on the altar of the cross, to accomplish there an everlasting redemption. But because his priesthood was not to end with his death, at the Last Supper “on the night when he was betrayed,” [he wanted] to leave to his beloved spouse the Church a visible sacrifice (as the nature of man demands) by which the bloody sacrifice which he was to accomplish once for all on the cross would be re-presented, its memory perpetuated until the end of the world, and its salutary power be applied to the forgiveness of the sins we daily commit.187

1367 The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice: “The victim is one and the same: the same now offers through the ministry of priests, who then offered himself on the cross; only the manner of offering is different.” "And since in this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner. . . this sacrifice is truly propitiatory."188

1368 The Eucharist is also the sacrifice of the Church. The Church which is the Body of Christ participates in the offering of her Head. With him, she herself is offered whole and entire. She unites herself to his intercession with the Father for all men. In the Eucharist the sacrifice of Christ becomes also the sacrifice of the members of his Body. The lives of the faithful, their praise, sufferings, prayer, and work, are united with those of Christ and with his total offering, and so acquire a new value. Christ’s sacrifice present on the altar makes it possible for all generations of Christians to be united with his offering. …

1370 To the offering of Christ are united not only the members still here on earth, but also those already in the glory of heaven. In communion with and commemorating the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, the Church offers the Eucharistic sacrifice. In the Eucharist the Church is as it were at the foot of the cross with Mary, united with the offering and intercession of Christ.

1372 St. Augustine admirably summed up this doctrine that moves us to an ever more complete participation in our Redeemer’s sacrifice which we celebrate in the Eucharist:

This wholly redeemed city, the assembly and society of the saints, is offered to God as a universal sacrifice by the high priest who in the form of a slave went so far as to offer himself for us in his Passion, to make us the Body of so great a head. . . . Such is the sacrifice of Christians: “we who are many are one Body in Christ” The Church continues to reproduce this sacrifice in the sacrament of the altar so well-known to believers wherein it is evident to them that in what she offers she herself is offered.194

 

[mdgspencer]

Thanks for this selection from the Catechism which is very helpful. This is a difficult matter to fully understand and I still have some questions. How precisely is the sacrifice Christ offered on the cross made ever present during the eucharist (a sacrifice which causes the work of our redemption to be carried out). How is the same offering Christ made on the cross offered now during the eucharist?
One idea about this that crosses my mind is the idea that the priest by ordination possesses a sacramental character in his soul that conforms him to Christ, so that he directly represents Christ as he carries out this sacrifice, which somehow is identified with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. However, I’m not sure if this is a main reason for saying that Christ’s sacrifice reoccurs during the mass (though in an unbloody manner).
This is just to see if some others will give their ideas on this. I don’t mean to pick on one person.

…(I cut down this passage to a more relevant selection because it was too long to post)

See paragraphs 1362–1372 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, excerpts below:

1363 In the sense of Sacred Scripture the memorial is not merely the recollection of past events but the proclamation of the mighty works wrought by God for men.182 In the liturgical celebration of these events, they become in a certain way present and real. This is how Israel understands its liberation from Egypt: every time Passover is celebrated, the Exodus events are made present to the memory of believers so that they may conform their lives to them.

1364 In the New Testament, the memorial takes on new meaning. When the Church celebrates the Eucharist, she commemorates Christ’s Passover, and it is made present the sacrifice Christ offered once for all on the cross remains ever present.183 "As often as the sacrifice of the Cross by which ‘Christ our Pasch has been sacrificed’ is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out."184

1365 Because it is the memorial of Christ’s Passover, the Eucharist is also a sacrifice. The sacrificial character of the Eucharist is manifested in the very words of institution: “This is my body which is given for you” and "This cup which is poured out for you is the New Covenant in my blood."185 In the Eucharist Christ gives us the very body which he gave up for us on the cross, the very blood which he "poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."186

1366 The Eucharist is thus a sacrifice because it re-presents (makes present) the sacrifice of the cross, because it is its memorial and because it applies its fruit:

[Christ], our Lord and God, was once and for all to offer himself to God the Father by his death on the altar of the cross, to accomplish there an everlasting redemption. But because his priesthood was not to end with his death, at the Last Supper “on the night when he was betrayed,” [he wanted] to leave to his beloved spouse the Church a visible sacrifice (as the nature of man demands) by which the bloody sacrifice which he was to accomplish once for all on the cross would be re-presented, its memory perpetuated until the end of the world, and its salutary power be applied to the forgiveness of the sins we daily commit.187

1367 The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice: “The victim is one and the same: the same now offers through the ministry of priests, who then offered himself on the cross; only the manner of offering is different.” "And since in this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner. . . this sacrifice is truly propitiatory."188

1368 The Eucharist is also the sacrifice of the Church. The Church which is the Body of Christ participates in the offering of her Head. With him, she herself is offered whole and entire. She unites herself to his intercession with the Father for all men. In the Eucharist the sacrifice of Christ becomes also the sacrifice of the members of his Body. The lives of the faithful, their praise, sufferings, prayer, and work, are united with those of Christ and with his total offering, and so acquire a new value. Christ’s sacrifice present on the altar makes it possible for all generations of Christians to be united with his offering. …

 

[Brendan]

You see that in the Consecration of both Species seperately.

The Body is consecrated seperately from the Blood.

This is the Death of Christ, the Body is seperate from the Blood.

The Resurrection is show in the Minor Elevation, when both species are re-united. The Body and Blood together are Life.

The Sacrifice is complete when the priest consumes the Lamb of God.

 

[SMHW]

I mean no disrespect here!

But I can’t help but think that if someone made a science fiction series about our salvation that we would be able to apprehend (but not comprehend) that the Mass makes present Christ’s Last Supper and sacrifice on Calvary and also the ongoing Lamb’s Feast in heaven. Science fiction doesn’t seem to have a problem with events trancending time and space.

Just a thought…

 

[jpjd]

How is the same offering Christ made on the cross offered now during the eucharist?
One idea about this that crosses my mind is the idea that the priest by ordination possesses a sacramental character in his soul that conforms him to Christ, so that he directly represents Christ as he carries out this sacrifice, which somehow is identified with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. However, I’m not sure if this is a main reason for saying that Christ’s sacrifice reoccurs during the mass (though in an unbloody manner).

For someone who doesn’t understand, you have given an excellent answer to your own question!

During the Mass, the priest is “in persona Christi,” standing “in the person of Christ.” So, yes, he is the high priest offering the Body and Blood of Christ in the matter of bread and wine. The words of consecration, from the very words of Christ at the Last Supper, makes this happen by God’s grace.

The sacraments are what we call “efficacious.” With the proper form, matter, and minister, the outward sign makes the sacrament happen at the spiritual level.

It really is hard to wrap our minds around this…that’s why we call the Eucharist a mystery. It is beyond our ability to fully comprehend.

 

[vocatio]

ftp://217.160.246.215/pub/audionet/EWTN_programs/Scott_Hahn/The_Lamb’s_Supper/

I strongly recommend “The Lamb’s Supper”, ny Scott Hahn.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

I have sometimes heard that Christ’s death on the cross is somehow present during the mass. This is not said to be a figure of speech, or to mean that we simply remember Christ’s passion and death during the mass. However, though I am widely read, I never have heard a clear explanation about what this means. I thought I would see what people here have to say about this.

In the manner of a sacrament, is the short answer​

 

[onenow1]

Hi,
Maybe this will help, remember this from a bible study class when I lived in New Jersey.

Zikaron= Hebrew and Anamnesis= Greek : In Jewish speak of the times, it means not just memory, but an actual participation in the event.

Peace, OneNow1

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I have sometimes heard that Christ’s death on the cross is somehow present during the mass. This is not said to be a figure of speech, or to mean that we simply remember Christ’s passion and death during the mass. However, though I am widely read, I never have heard a clear explanation about what this means. I thought I would see what people here have to say about this.

Christ’s death on the Cross is not made present so much as we are permitted to be present at the death of Christ on the Cross outside of time.

 

[YADA]

In our Jewish understanding of being “present” at an event, it is not time travel, nor a memorial, nor a re-enactment…

For Christians, the Mass is understood in the same manner that our Jewish brethren celebrate the Passover. They are made “present” at the one and only night when the Lord passed over the houses of the Isrealites in Egypt. That same passover when the first first born of the Egyptians were struck down but those who heeded the Lord, the One True God were saved and freed from slavery…

As noted by Br Rich it is we who are made present at the event.

And the proper understanding is ‘anamnesis’ as onenow1 noted…Kudos

 

[mark_a]

ftp://217.160.246.215/pub/audionet/EWTN_programs/Scott_Hahn/The_Lamb’s_Supper/

I strongly recommend “The Lamb’s Supper”, ny Scott Hahn.

I’ll second that recommendation. Its also a fairly easy read.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

One idea about this that crosses my mind is the idea that the priest by ordination possesses a sacramental character in his soul that conforms him to Christ, so that he directly represents Christ as he carries out this sacrifice, which somehow is identified with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. However, I’m not sure if this is a main reason for saying that Christ’s sacrifice reoccurs during the mass (though in an unbloody manner).

I think you have described this very well. If I might make one correction … Christ’s sacrifice does not ***reoccur ***during the Mass (some of our Protestant brethren mistakenly criticize us Catholics for believing that it does). Christ’s sacrifice took place once for all time, but outside the constraints of time. When we are at Mass, we are present at Calvary.

 

[jpjd]

I just discovered a book that addresses exactly this question. It’s called “Worthy is the Lamb: The Biblical Roots of the Mass” by Thomas Nash. After reading this book, you will come away with a new understanding of the Mass and this whole concept.

 

[johnstown_johnn]

The Mass is the unbloody sacrifice of Christ on the Cross.

 

[onenow1]

Hi,

People can relate to a crucified Christ displayed in Catholic Churches, as each one of us has a cross to carry. None of us can relate to a risen Christ, as none of us has ever risen from the dead."
Fr. Groeschel…

Jesus sacrifice is God;s plan from all eternity, this was his sacrifice to the Father for all time; from the crucifixation till Christ’s return, this perfect sacrifice is offered up to God the Father as a pefect sacrifice by the catholic church in an unbloody manner; this was God’s will, when Jesus said in:

Luke 22: 19-20 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.”
20 And likewise the cup after supper, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant,] in my blood. :

:twocents:
Peace,OneNow1