Sacrifice of the mass

[heisenburg]

Unlike our protestant brothers, we do not look at Service as simply a chance to have fellowship and an expanded bible study, we honostly veiw it as a Sacrifice. Perhaps I am missing a term or something (as I fully believe in the importance of holy communion by the way), why do we refrence it as a Sacrifice since it seems to me (and i know I can be wrong) that Christ was the last sacrifice needed.

Also… what are some good Early writings and/or Bible passages i can read to help me understand this a little better.

In Christ

 

[thistle]

Unlike our protestant brothers, we do not look at Service as simply a chance to have fellowship and an expanded bible study, we honostly veiw it as a Sacrifice. Perhaps I am missing a term or something (as I fully believe in the importance of holy communion by the way), why do we refrence it as a Sacrifice since it seems to me (and i know I can be wrong) that Christ was the last sacrifice needed.

Also… what are some good Early writings and/or Bible passages i can read to help me understand this a little better.

In Christ

catholic.com/thisrock/2001/0109sbs.asp
catholic.com/library/sacrifice_of_the_mass.asp
catholic.com/thisrock/1992/9207frs.asp

 

[Verbum]

Hi Heisen__,

Jesus died once for our sins in His bloody sacrifice. The Mass is the UNBLOODY renewal of this sacrifice. Whenever the priest consecrates the bread and wine, Jesus offers Himself again to the Father. By joining Him in this offering, we help apply the merits of His bloody sacrifice to ourselves and the world.

If you go to ic.net/~erasmus/RAZ429.HTM#V.%20History%20of%20the%20Doctrine%20of%20the%20Sacrifice%20of%20the

you will find an overview of the doctrine of the early Fathers on this subject. Just click on [V. History of the Doctrine of the Sacrifice of the Mass](ic.net. History of the Doctrine of the Sacrifice of the)

Verbum

 

[mercygate]

Hi Heisen__,

Jesus died once for our sins in His bloody sacrifice. The Mass is the UNBLOODY renewal of this sacrifice. Whenever the priest consecrates the bread and wine, Jesus offers Himself again to the Father. By joining Him in this offering, we help apply the merits of His bloody sacrifice to ourselves and the world.

If you go to ic.net/~erasmus/RAZ429.HTM#V.%20History%20of%20the%20Doctrine%20of%20the%20Sacrifice%20of%20the

you will find an overview of the doctrine of the early Fathers on this subject. Just click on [V. History of the Doctrine of the Sacrifice of the Mass](ic.net. History of the Doctrine of the Sacrifice of the)

Verbum

Good references. But note: we do not “renew” the Sacrifice in the sense that this is a series of “new” sacrifices. It would be more accurate to say that we re-enter the eternal Sacrifice as we pierce the veil of time and space to enter into the eternal Sacrifice that Christ offers of himself to the Father. I would make the same point about your phrase "Jesus offers himself 'again.’ The words “renew” and “again” are linked to time. The Sacrifice of the Mass is not. We experience the Mass in time and space because we are limited to time and space. Christ is not.

 

[Philthy]

Unlike our protestant brothers, we do not look at Service as simply a chance to have fellowship and an expanded bible study, we honostly veiw it as a Sacrifice. Perhaps I am missing a term or something (as I fully believe in the importance of holy communion by the way),

A) why do we refrence it as a Sacrifice since it seems to me (and i know I can be wrong) that Christ was the last sacrifice needed.

In Christ

A) We reference the Eucharist as a Sacrifice because the Eucharist IS the eternal Sacrifice of Christ offered to the Father for all eternity for the forgiveness of sins. “This is my body” means that the Eucharist is the body of Christ which was offered not only in history, but in eternity. The Sacrifice of the Mass is the union of eternity and history…of Heaven and earth…of Christ and his Bride, the Church.

 

[heisenburg]

Thanks guys… jsut what i was looking for…

In Christ

 

[Verbum]

Hi Mercy__,

You are right of course. In a God-perspective everything is present. Jesus offers Himself once and for all. The CCC uses the term “re-present”, in the sense of “making present.” What is important to understand is that, at the moment of consecration, God does intervene directly: what was bread and wine becomes the living body and blood of Christ, consecrated separately, thus signifying both his death and resurrection.

Did not the catechisms of our childhood use the term “renew”? As a working term, I don’t think it deserves criticism.

Verbum

 

[Lazerlike42]

Check out my article on it here: soladeiverbum.com/massmain.shtml

I recommend it because from the feedback I have gotten from people, it seems to be helpful in not just defending the Mass but moreso in explaining what is going on there.