Mass theology

[billcu1]

During Mass we are taken out of time and to an event that is still happening. Is that Jesus’s death at the cross or when he was passing the bread and wine to his disciples?

 

[Gorgias]

During Mass we are taken out of time and to an event that is still happening. Is that Jesus’s death at the cross or when he was passing the bread and wine to his disciples?

Neither, per se. We are not “re-sacrificing Jesus on the cross” (as some non-Catholic Christians mistakenly believe), nor are we re-enacting the Last Supper (per se).

Jesus didn’t say, “do this, in memory of this dinner”, or “do this, in memory of my execution tomorrow”. Instead, what we’re doing is a memorial of Jesus, and of the presentation of himself to the Father as the perfect sacrifice. We’re re-presenting Jesus to the Father, as a means of participating in that perfect sacrifice and entering into it.

 

[billcu1]

Neither, per se. We are not “re-sacrificing Jesus on the cross” (as some non-Catholic Christians mistakenly believe), nor are we re-enacting the Last Supper (per se).

Jesus didn’t say, “do this, in memory of this dinner”, or “do this, in memory of my execution tomorrow”. Instead, what we’re doing is a memorial of Jesus, and of the presentation of himself to the Father as the perfect sacrifice. We’re re-presenting Jesus to the Father, as a means of participating in that perfect sacrifice and entering into it.

I didn’t mean re sacrificing or re having the bread and wine but going to these original events.

 

[SperainDeo7]

During Mass we are taken out of time and to an event that is still happening. Is that Jesus’s death at the cross or when he was passing the bread and wine to his disciples?

It’s my understanding that the two events are intrinsically interconnected and that in a sense the Passion began in the upper room and ended when Christ on the Cross said “It is finished”. The consecration puts us at the foot of the Cross on Golgatha. That’s where the Lamb of God was sacrificed for our salvation. I stand to be corrected though.

 

[Gorgias]

I didn’t mean re sacrificing or re having the bread and wine but going to these original events.

Yep, that makes sense. However, if we’re picturing anything, it’s the Wedding Feast of the Lamb, which is the event that’s depicted in the book of Revelation. So, it’s no so much a “looking back” as it is a “looking forward” to our participation in eternity…!

 

[SperainDeo7]

Yep, that makes sense. However, if we’re picturing anything, it’s the Wedding Feast of the Lamb, which is the event that’s depicted in the book of Revelation. So, it’s no so much a “looking back” as it is a “looking forward” to our participation in eternity…!

The unbloody re-presentation of Christ’s bloody sacrifice on the cross is what takes place on the altar, so I would respectfully disagree that it’s not about looking back and solely looking forward. However, the full paschal mystery of the Mass includes the Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Christ. In it’s totality, the mystery is “looking forward” and backward.

 

[Gorgias]

The unbloody re-presentation of Christ’s bloody sacrifice on the cross is what takes place on the altar, so I would respectfully disagree that it’s not about looking back and solely looking forward.

Note, however, that the memorial is of the presentation, not of the sacrifice on the cross. You’re correct, of course, in asserting that they’re linked; however, it’s not the cross that we’re re-enacting; it’s the presentation of Christ’s sacrifice to the Father that we’re re-presenting. It’s a pretty subtle difference… but an important one!

However, the full paschal mystery of the Mass includes the Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Christ. In it’s totality, the mystery is “looking forward” and backward.

I would agree with you that the paschal mystery includes all that you say it does. However, the Liturgy of the Eucharist doesn’t re-present the paschal mystery, per se – it is a re-presentation of the presentation of Christ’s sacrifice to the Father!

 

[SperainDeo7]

Note, however, that the memorial is of the presentation, not of the sacrifice on the cross. You’re correct, of course, in asserting that they’re linked; however, it’s not the cross that we’re re-enacting; it’s the presentation of Christ’s sacrifice to the Father that we’re re-presenting. It’s a pretty subtle difference… but an important one!

I would agree with you that the paschal mystery includes all that you say it does. However, the Liturgy of the Eucharist doesn’t re-present the paschal mystery, per se – it is a re-presentation of the presentation of Christ’s sacrifice to the Father!

 

[billcu1]

Yep, that makes sense. However, if we’re picturing anything, it’s the Wedding Feast of the Lamb, which is the event that’s depicted in the book of Revelation. So, it’s no so much a “looking back” as it is a “looking forward” to our participation in eternity…!

How do you look back and look forward when your outside of time. All events are happening now. There is the eternal now. Everything that has ever happened or will happen is happening NOW. There is no back or forward outside of time.

 

[VirtusTransitus]

In my mind, when the priest consecrates the Eucharist, I imagine Jesus, in heaven, with a “glittering golden beam of connection” to each of those consecrations, around the globe. He’s present in each, an active participant. It’s just symbolism and the way my mind perceives it, but in that way the consecration is a formal communal act of connection (communion).

If you consider that number of consecrations going on across the globe, it’s a 24/7/365 kind of linkage between God through his Son and his creation.

At least in my mind, it’s quite beautiful.