Persona Christi?

[CCCatholic17]

My question is pretty basic.

During the consecration at Mass, when the priest is transforming the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, why does he say, “On the night before HE died, HE took the cup…”

Since one can assume the priest’s ordination is valid and he has received the ability to stand in the person of Christ, why doesn’t he say, “On the night before I died, I took the cup…?”

I vaguely remember Pope John Paul’s Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation which explains a priest’s role and duties. Didn’t it mention how a priest should remain in the FULL person of Christ when celebrating the Eucharist?

Can anyone clarify?

Blessings,
Heather

 

[rpp]

This is a interesting question. I think grammaticaly it would be confusing to many people. On the other hand, it would certainly make it really clear who is who. Imagine the effect it would have on those promoting ordaining women as Catholic priestesses!

I would like to see one of the staff apologists here weigh in on this. Have you submitted this to “Ask and Apologist”.

 

[kell0618]

The priest doesn’t BECOME Christ. He is acting in His place. He is restating what was said in scripture.

From Luke:

Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; 18 for I tell you (that) from this time on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.

 

[scapularkid8]

I think of it as I think of the Prophets. God didn’t take over their body and force them to say anything. They were speaking the words inspired by God. God wasn’t speaking through them like a microphone. He waited until they followed the Spirit of their own will. Just like the Priest. When he was ordained, he chose to do that.

 

[Godfollower]

Don’t forget, the priest is praying to God at this point:

Before he was given up to death, a death he freely accepted, he took bread and gave you thanks, He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said:

Take this, all of you, and eat it;
this is my body which will be given up for you.

When the supper was ended, he took the cup. Again he gave you thanks and praise, gave the cup to his disciples, and said:

Take this, all of you, and drink from it;
this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me.

So it would be weird for the priest to say “I” instead of “He” – he’s thanking God for what Jesus did on our behalf. I’d hate to have to diagram the sentence if the priest said “I” for Jesus.

Anyway, the bottom line is this: the priest is just a man who stands in the place of Jesus. He is not Jesus Himself. So “I” would be inappropriate.