The Prophecy of Malachi 1:11

[ahs]

**This is intended for a blog article, but I would greatly appreciate some Catholic feedback to make sure it is theologically sound. I would be ESPECIALLY greatful if someone with a theolgy degree or other near-equivalent background could review this. I have sent thigs to the local diocese in the past, but I seldom hear back in a timely manner.

I used blue font for the parts I am particularly wary about. (This is where my drive for apologetics meets my very limited theology background).

Part 1 of 2**​

Over the past few years I have lost count of how many times I’ve heard various prophesies, dreams and visions from Scripture get tossed around to ‘prove’ that “the world will end on [such-n-such date]”, or “Rome is the great harlot”, or “the rapture will leave the sinners behind [in such-n-such fashion]”. Of course, it only takes a closer look at Scripture and history to see that these assertions are a gross misapplication of Scripture. But there is one prophecy in particular that seems to get ignored. While hunting through the various prophesies to ‘prove’ one thing or another, this one, for whatever reason, is simply overlooked by those folks who otherwise ‘seem’ like they are out to uncover the truth. It is a prophecy tucked into the first chapter of the book of Malachi.

“For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts.” (Mal 1:11)

Some later translations, such as the KJV and New American Standard, use future-tense verbs ("…my name will be great…incense is going to be offered…").What exactly is being said here? Let’s take a look.

“…For from the rising of the sun to its setting…”. Catholics should be very familiar with this because we hear it at Mass, sometimes as “…from east to west…”. I suppose you can look at it how you want. It can be linear timeline, so to speak, as in “from dawn to dusk”, or a global view suggesting “all around the world”.

“…my name is great among the nations…”. This is how we know it was a prophecy of a time to come, which had not yet been fulfilled when Malachi was recorded. God’s Name was not yet “great among the nations” in that time bacause most nations were pagan. God had not yet been proclaimed to all the nations. As I noted earlier, some later translations use future tense verbs here. Every Christian should be able to indentify with this because every Christian is called to profess Christ to all the nations…to spread the Gospel message to all the world. And in the past 2,000 years I think it’s fair to say that we’ve reached the far corners of the globe to proclaim Christ. Already hundreds of years ago, missionaries were setting out to the most remote parts of the world, often times being martyred for doing so.

“…and in every place incense is offered to my name…”. It’s very clear here that God, speaking through His prophet, expects to have incense offere to His Name in every place, as part of this prophecy. This should be very familiar to Catholics, some Lutherans and Anglicans/Episcopalians, and perhaps others who have not abandoned the use of incense in their worship.

[to be continued below…]

 

[ahs]

[Part 2 of 2]

“…and a pure offering…”. A pure offering. Think about this for a moment. A pure offering. What is the ONLY offering that we could make to God which is PURE? I think the only answer here is “Christ”. Jesus Christ is the only pure offering that could be made to God. But wasn’t this prophecy fulfilled in Christ on Calvary? Of course it was. But there’s more to it than that because, when Christ was offered, rather, when He offered Himself once for all (cff. Rom 6:10, Hb 7:27, 10:1-13), God’s Name was still not “great among the nations”. Most nations were still “Gentile” or “heathen” at this time. Pagan worship was still the norm…hence the command of Christ to His Aposltes to "…go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Mt 28: 19-20). The world had not yet been converted to Christ. This pure offering is directly linked to the incense which was to be offered in God’s Name. “…and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts”. But how can Christ, the “pure offering”, be offered in future tense as this prophecy is fulfilled along with God’s Name becoming great among the nations? Well, for a Catholic that’s an easy one: Christ’s once-for-all Sacrifice is re-presented for ALL God’s people to participate in, even those who were not alive in the year 33 AD to be present at Calvary, through the Mass. You see, in the Catholic Mass, the Priest, submitting himself to the actions of Christ through him, obediently does the Will of Christ: “Do this in remembrance of me” (Lk 22:19) to make present for us the once-for-all Sacrifice that Christ offered.

This is a prophecy for a time to come when God’s Name is great “among the nations” and “in every place” from East to West (or morning to night, depending on the translation) “incense” is offered and a “pure offering” is made. What is the ONLY pure offering that can be made to God? Jesus Christ. And how is Christ offered? In the Catholic Church, His once-for-all Sacrifice is re-presented at the Mass, where “from the rising of the sun to its setting” [every single day, all around the world in every time zone, morning and night] God’s Name being “great among the nations”, “incense is offered to [His] name, and a pure offering [Christ]”.

Does your church offer a pure offering with incense, every day, from the rising of the sun to its setting, in every nation throughout the world the way that Malachi 1:11 prophesies? If not, why not?

[Note - this is still in rough draft, so please forgive any grammatical errors, and feel free to point out anything that needs to be adjusted.]

 

[gilliam]

The Prophecy of Malachi is probably a fictional piece written in the 1500s. Given the very accurate description of popes up to 1590 and lack of accuracy after that year, historians generally conclude that the alleged prophecies are a fabrication written shortly before they were published. Reputable church historians and clerics have considered it a forgery since the 18th century.

I wouldn’t spend a lot of time on it.

 

[JamesTheJust]

The Prophecy of Malachi is probably a fictional piece written in the 1500s. Given the very accurate description of popes up to 1590 and lack of accuracy after that year, historians generally conclude that the alleged prophecies are a fabrication written shortly before they were published. Reputable church historians and clerics have considered it a forgery since the 18th century.

I wouldn’t spend a lot of time on it.

The OP is here discussing a prophecy from the Book of Malachi, which is one of the books of the minor prophets, and the last book of the Old Testament. You’re talking about the (as we agree, bogus) Prophecy of St Malachy, which is completely different.

 

[ahs]

The Prophecy of Malachi is probably a fictional piece written in the 1500s. Given the very accurate description of popes up to 1590 and lack of accuracy after that year, historians generally conclude that the alleged prophecies are a fabrication written shortly before they were published. Reputable church historians and clerics have considered it a forgery since the 18th century.

I wouldn’t spend a lot of time on it.

The OP is here discussing a prophecy from the Book of Malachi, which is one of the books of the minor prophets, and the last book of the Old Testament. You’re talking about the (as we agree, bogus) Prophecy of St Malachy, which is completely different.

Yes, thanks for the clarification JamesTheJust. I’m basically trying to make sure that my article is theologically sound before I publish it on my blog. It’s in regard to the Scriptural passage Malachi 1:11…which is not related in any way to the bogus so-called prophecy acredited to “Malachy”.

 

[frizzgrig]

“From the rising of the sun to its setting…” refers to Psalm 113:3
I would say it means “always”

“My name is great…” - this is not a future event, but present and continuing always and forever. Combined with the above it becomes “From the beginning (of time/creation) to the end my name is great”

“incense is offered…and a pure offering” - the pure offering is the unblemished offering, the verses 13 and 14 clarify this

You say, “See what a burden this is!”
and you exasperate me, says the LORD of hosts;
You bring in what is mutilated, or lame, or sick;
you bring it as an offering!
Will I accept it from your hands?
says the LORD.

Cursed is the cheat who has in his flock an intact male,
and vows it, but sacrifices to the LORD a defective one instead;
For a great king am I, says the LORD of hosts,
and my name is feared among the nations.

This is a warning to the people to return to the covenant and stop offering defective offerings to God (the stuff they wouldn’t eat for example). Pretty much standard Old Testament prophet stuff.

I think it is reaching pretty far to go with your “future time” interpretation - but hey, what do I know?

Have you consulted any Bible commentaries (particularly Catholic ones)??

 

[Cathoholic]

Hi ahs.

You said:

I suppose you can look at it how you want. It can be linear timeline, so to speak, as in “from dawn to dusk”, or a global view suggesting “all around the world”.

This is good. I think it is BOTH morning to evening and geographically ubiquitous. And even more layers too (i.e. spanning the last days—from the time of Christ until the end of the world for example). There is even an individual layer or moral sense (see CCC 117 b) of our offering in union with Christ (see CCC 618).

CCC 618 The cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ, the “one mediator between God and men”.452 But because in his incarnate divine person he has in some way united himself to every man, “the possibility of being made partners, in a way known to God, in the paschal mystery” is offered to all men.453 He calls his disciples to “take up [their] cross and follow [him]”,454 for "Christ also suffered for [us], leaving [us] an example so that [we] should follow in his steps."455 In fact Jesus desires to associate with his redeeming sacrifice those who were to be its first beneficiaries.456 This is achieved supremely in the case of his mother, who was associated more intimately than any other person in the mystery of his redemptive suffering.457 Apart from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven.458

You also said:

You see, in the Catholic Mass, the Priest, submitting himself to the actions of Christ through him, obediently does the Will of Christ: “Do this in remembrance of me” (Lk 22:19) to make present for us the once-for-all Sacrifice that Christ offered.

Also excellent. Very good points for you to bring out.

I think your blog post will be fine.

I have included some salient Scripture passages and associated CCC quotes below to make it easier for other commenters here.

Others may have insightful suggestions concerning your eventual blog post. (I don’t have any, other than the re-affirmations I made above).

God bless.

Cathoholic

MALACHI 1:11 11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts.

CCC 611 The Eucharist that Christ institutes at that moment will be the memorial of his sacrifice.431 Jesus includes the apostles in his own offering and bids them perpetuate it.432 By doing so, the Lord institutes his apostles as priests of the New Covenant: "For their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth."433

CCC 1330 The memorial of the Lord’s Passion and Resurrection.
The Holy Sacrifice, because it makes present the one sacrifice of Christ the Savior and includes the Church’s offering. The terms holy sacrifice of the Mass, “sacrifice of praise,” spiritual sacrifice, pure and holy sacrifice are also used,150 since it completes and surpasses all the sacrifices of the Old Covenant.

The Holy and Divine Liturgy, because the Church’s whole liturgy finds its center and most intense expression in the celebration of this sacrament; in the same sense we also call its celebration the Sacred Mysteries. We speak of the Most Blessed Sacrament because it is the Sacrament of sacraments. The Eucharistic species reserved in the tabernacle are designated by this same name.

CCC 1350 The presentation of the offerings (the Offertory). Then, sometimes in procession, the bread and wine are brought to the altar; they will be offered by the priest in the name of Christ in the Eucharistic sacrifice in which they will become his body and blood. It is the very action of Christ at the Last Supper - “taking the bread and a cup.” "The Church alone offers this pure oblation to the Creator, when she offers what comes forth from his creation with thanksgiving."177 The presentation of the offerings at the altar takes up the gesture of Melchizedek and commits the Creator’s gifts into the hands of Christ who, in his sacrifice, brings to perfection all human attempts to offer sacrifices.

CCC 2643 The Eucharist contains and expresses all forms of prayer: it is “the pure offering” of the whole Body of Christ to the glory of God’s name 131 and, according to the traditions of East and West, it is *the *“sacrifice of praise.”

 

[ahs]

Hi ahs.

You said:

This is good. I think it is BOTH morning to evening and geographically ubiquitous. And even more layers too (i.e. spanning the last days—from the time of Christ until the end of the world for example). There is even an individual layer or moral sense (see CCC 117 b) of our offering in union with Christ (see CCC 618).

CCC 618 The cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ, the “one mediator between God and men”.452 But because in his incarnate divine person he has in some way united himself to every man, “the possibility of being made partners, in a way known to God, in the paschal mystery” is offered to all men.453 He calls his disciples to “take up [their] cross and follow [him]”,454 for "Christ also suffered for [us], leaving [us] an example so that [we] should follow in his steps."455 In fact Jesus desires to associate with his redeeming sacrifice those who were to be its first beneficiaries.456 This is achieved supremely in the case of his mother, who was associated more intimately than any other person in the mystery of his redemptive suffering.457 Apart from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven.458

You also said:

Also excellent. Very good points for you to bring out.

I think your blog post will be fine.

I have included some salient Scripture passages and associated CCC quotes below to make it easier for other commenters here.

Others may have insightful suggestions concerning your eventual blog post. (I don’t have any, other than the re-affirmations I made above).

God bless.

Cathoholic

MALACHI 1:11 11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts.

CCC 611 The Eucharist that Christ institutes at that moment will be the memorial of his sacrifice.431 Jesus includes the apostles in his own offering and bids them perpetuate it.432 By doing so, the Lord institutes his apostles as priests of the New Covenant: "For their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth."433

CCC 1330 The memorial of the Lord’s Passion and Resurrection.
The Holy Sacrifice, because it makes present the one sacrifice of Christ the Savior and includes the Church’s offering. The terms holy sacrifice of the Mass, “sacrifice of praise,” spiritual sacrifice, pure and holy sacrifice are also used,150 since it completes and surpasses all the sacrifices of the Old Covenant.

The Holy and Divine Liturgy, because the Church’s whole liturgy finds its center and most intense expression in the celebration of this sacrament; in the same sense we also call its celebration the Sacred Mysteries. We speak of the Most Blessed Sacrament because it is the Sacrament of sacraments. The Eucharistic species reserved in the tabernacle are designated by this same name.

CCC 1350 The presentation of the offerings (the Offertory). Then, sometimes in procession, the bread and wine are brought to the altar; they will be offered by the priest in the name of Christ in the Eucharistic sacrifice in which they will become his body and blood. It is the very action of Christ at the Last Supper - “taking the bread and a cup.” "The Church alone offers this pure oblation to the Creator, when she offers what comes forth from his creation with thanksgiving."177 The presentation of the offerings at the altar takes up the gesture of Melchizedek and commits the Creator’s gifts into the hands of Christ who, in his sacrifice, brings to perfection all human attempts to offer sacrifices.

CCC 2643 The Eucharist contains and expresses all forms of prayer: it is “the pure offering” of the whole Body of Christ to the glory of God’s name 131 and, according to the traditions of East and West, it is *the *“sacrifice of praise.”

This is TREMENDOUSLY helpful! Thanks so much for the insight!!

 

[ahs]

“From the rising of the sun to its setting…” refers to Psalm 113:3
I would say it means “always”

“My name is great…” - this is not a future event, but present and continuing always and forever. Combined with the above it becomes “From the beginning (of time/creation) to the end my name is great”

“incense is offered…and a pure offering” - the pure offering is the unblemished offering, the verses 13 and 14 clarify this

This is a warning to the people to return to the covenant and stop offering defective offerings to God (the stuff they wouldn’t eat for example). Pretty much standard Old Testament prophet stuff.

I think it is reaching pretty far to go with your “future time” interpretation - but hey, what do I know?

Have you consulted any Bible commentaries (particularly Catholic ones)??

Thanks for the feedback. I have the Little Rock Study Bible which takes it in both directions. (There’s that both/and as opposed to either/or in Catholic theology again! )

It says something similar to what you say above, but then gives the Messianic interpretation which is what my article reflects. According to the commentary there, the Council of Trent endorses this view in “DS 1724”, but I have yet to actually find “DS 1724”.

Though, as Cathoholic provided, CCC 2643 does refer to the Eucharist as “the pure offering” of Mal 1:11, citing that passage as the reference.

 

[JohnR77]

It says something similar to what you say above, but then gives the Messianic interpretation which is what my article reflects. According to the commentary there, the Council of Trent endorses this view in “DS 1724”, but I have yet to actually find “DS 1724”.

.

DS 1724 doesn’t sound right. Could you mean DS 939 ?

catecheticsonline.com/SourcesofDogma18.php

“Syllabus,” or Collection of Modern Errors * …

1724 24. The Church does not have the power of using force, nor does it have any temporal power, direct or indirect (9).

catecheticsonline.com/SourcesofDogma10.php

PIUS IV 1559-1565

COUNCIL OF TRENT, conclusion

SESSION XXII (Sept. 17, 1562)

The Doctrine on the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass*

Chap. 1. The Institution of the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass ] * …

939 And this, indeed, is that “clean oblation” which cannot be defiled by any unworthiness or malice on the part of those who offer it; which the Lord foretold through Malachias must be offered in every place as a clean oblation Mal. 1:11 ] to His name, which would be great among the gentiles, and which the Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians has clearly indicated, when he says that they who are defiled by participation of the “table of the devils” cannot become partakers of the table of the Lord 1 Cor. 10:21], understanding by table in each case, the altar. It is finally that [sacrifice] which was prefigured by various types of sacrifices, in the period of nature and the Law Gen. 4:4;8:20;12:8;22; Ex: passim], inasmuch as it comprises all good things signified by them, as being the consummation and perfection of them all.

.

 

[ahs]

DS 1724 doesn’t sound right. Could you mean DS 939 ?

catecheticsonline.com/SourcesofDogma18.php

“Syllabus,” or Collection of Modern Errors * …

1724 24. The Church does not have the power of using force, nor does it have any temporal power, direct or indirect (9).

catecheticsonline.com/SourcesofDogma10.php

PIUS IV 1559-1565

COUNCIL OF TRENT, conclusion

SESSION XXII (Sept. 17, 1562)

The Doctrine on the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass*

Chap. 1. The Institution of the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass ] * …

939 And this, indeed, is that “clean oblation” which cannot be defiled by any unworthiness or malice on the part of those who offer it; which the Lord foretold through Malachias must be offered in every place as a clean oblation Mal. 1:11 ] to His name, which would be great among the gentiles, and which the Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians has clearly indicated, when he says that they who are defiled by participation of the “table of the devils” cannot become partakers of the table of the Lord 1 Cor. 10:21], understanding by table in each case, the altar. It is finally that [sacrifice] which was prefigured by various types of sacrifices, in the period of nature and the Law Gen. 4:4;8:20;12:8;22; Ex: passim], inasmuch as it comprises all good things signified by them, as being the consummation and perfection of them all.

.

Wow! The book has “DS 1724” written…so it must be an error or maybe an old numbering? 939 is definitely the right one though. Thanks so much for providing this!

 

[ahs]

I went and read the section and I think 938 is so perfect that it simply must be posted here as well, along with 939. Such beauty in the Church’s teaching here:

Chap. 1. The Institution of the Most Holy

Sacrifice of the Mass ] *

938 Since under the former Testament (as the Apostle Paul bears witness) there was no consummation because of the weakness of the Levitical priesthood, it was necessary (God the Father of mercies ordaining it thus) that another priest according to the order of Melchisedech Gen. 14:18 ;Ps. 109:4;Heb. 7:11] arise, our Lord Jesus Christ, who could perfect Heb. 10:14] all who were to be sanctified, and lead them to perfection. He, therefore, our God and Lord, though He was about to offer Himself once to God the Father upon the altar of the Cross by the mediation of death, so that He might accomplish an eternal redemption for them [edd.: illic,there], nevertheless, that His sacerdotal office might not come to an end with His death [Heb. 7:24, 27] at the Last Supper, on the night He was betrayed, so that He might leave to His beloved spouse the Church a visible sacrifice [can. 1] (as the nature of man demands), whereby that bloody sacrifice once to be completed on the Cross might be represented, and the memory of it remain even to the end of the world 1 Cor. 11:23 ff.] and its saving grace be applied to the remission of those sins which we daily commit, declaring Himself constituted “a priest forever according to the order of Melchisedech” Ps. 109:4; offered to God the Father His own body and blood under the species of bread and wine, and under the symbols of those same things gave to the apostles (whom He then constituted priests of the New Testament), so that they might partake, and He commanded them and their successors in the priesthood in these words to make offering: “Do this in commemoration of me, etc.” Luke 22:19;1 Cor. 11:23], as the Catholic Church has always understood and taught [can. 2]. For, after He had celebrated the ancient feast of the Passover, which the multitude of the children of Israel sacrificed [Exod. 12:1 ff.] in memory of their exodus from Egypt, He instituted a new Passover, Himself to be immolated under visible signs by the Church through the priests, in memory of His own passage from this world to the Father, when by the shedding of His blood He redeemed us and "delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into His kingdom [Col. 1:13 ].

939 And this, indeed, is that “clean oblation” which cannot be defiled by any unworthiness or malice on the part of those who offer it; which the Lord foretold through Malachias must be offered in every place as a clean oblation [Mal. 1:11 ] to His name, which would be great among the gentiles, and which the Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians has clearly indicated, when he says that they who are defiled by participation of the “table of the devils” cannot become partakers of the table of the Lord 1 Cor. 10:21], understanding by table in each case, the altar. It is finally that [sacrifice] which was prefigured by various types of sacrifices, in the period of nature and the Law Gen. 4:4;8:20;12:8;22; Ex: passim], inasmuch as it comprises all good things signified by them, as being the consummation and perfection of them all.

 

[ahs]

Here’s the final version:

daves-ahumbleservant.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-prophecy-of-malachi-111.html

Thanks so much for all the (name removed by moderator)ut! I added the great references as a giant “footnote” of sorts.

 

[Genesis315]

Wow! The book has “DS 1724” written…so it must be an error or maybe an old numbering? 939 is definitely the right one though. Thanks so much for providing this!

Just an FYI since the CCC cites to this version, it’s actually a newer numbering than the one JohnR posted. It’s not only newer, but includes more older documents as well, thus the number discrepancy. Here’s the new one in Latin (I can’t find it in English). It also has the older edition’s numbering next the the current one for comparison’s sake.
catho.org/9.php?d=g1

Unfortunately, that site seems to be missing a chunk, including the number you were looking for…(I’m guessing it corresponded to what you got from the older edition anyway).

Also, just to add further support that you are indeed using the right interpretation of the prophecy, the ordinary form of the Roman Mass alludes to it as well in Eucharistic Prayer III (I didn’t check other Eucharistic liturgies of the Church to see if any others do too):

"You are indeed Holy, O Lord,
and all you have created rightly gives you praise,
for through your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,
by the power and working of the Holy Spirit,
you give life to all things and make them holy,
and you never cease to gather a people to yourself,
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting
a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name."

 

[ahs]

Just an FYI since the CCC cites to this version, it’s actually a newer numbering than the one JohnR posted. It’s not only newer, but includes more older documents as well, thus the number discrepancy. Here’s the new one in Latin (I can’t find it in English). It also has the older edition’s numbering next the the current one for comparison’s sake.
catho.org/9.php?d=g1

Unfortunately, that site seems to be missing a chunk, including the number you were looking for…(I’m guessing it corresponded to what you got from the older edition anyway).

Also, just to add further support that you are indeed using the right interpretation of the prophecy, the ordinary form of the Roman Mass alludes to it as well in Eucharistic Prayer III (I didn’t check other Eucharistic liturgies of the Church to see if any others do too):

"You are indeed Holy, O Lord,
and all you have created rightly gives you praise,
for through your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,
by the power and working of the Holy Spirit,
you give life to all things and make them holy,
and you never cease to gather a people to yourself,
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting
a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name."

Thank you! I’ll bookmark both links (old numbering and new). This helps make sense of it all. Last night I was chekcing throuhg the Catechism, and it uses the new numbering system as you pointed out, adn I was gettign really confused. Now it makes sense. I suppose they will eventually have all the references inserted and then begin translations over the course of time.

I’m actually going to go in and edit my article to include that portion from Eucharistic Prayer III, where I mention that Catholics should be familiar with this verse.

 

[JohnR77]

Thanks Genesis3:15 for solving this mystery.

The original “1724” had the new numbering system but with the digits transposed. (A third numbering system?) It should have been 1742. The old 938 is broken up into three paragraphs ,1739 - 1741

In CCC 1366 it quotes DS 1740 or the middle of the old DS 938.
I haven’t found one for DS 1742 yet.

catho.org/9.php?d=bx4#ce5

1739 938 Quoniam sub priori Testamento (teste Apostolo Paulo) propter Levitici sacerdotii imbecillitatem consummatio non erat, oportuit (Deo Patre misericordiarum ita ordinante) sacerdotem alium “secundum ordinem Melchisedech” (Gen 14.18; Ps 109.4; Heb 7.11) surgere, Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, qui posset omnes, quotquot sanctificandi essent, consummare (Heb 10.4) et ad perfectum adducere.

1740 938 Is igitur Deus et Dominus noster,etsi semel seipsum in ara crucis, morte intercedente, Deo Patri oblaturus erat, ut aeternam illis (illic) redemptionem operaretur: quia tamen per morteme sacerdotium exstinguendum non erat (Heb 7.24,27), in Coena novissima, “qua nocte tradebatur” (Cor1 11.13), ut dilectae sponsae suae Ecclesiae visibile (sicut hominum natura exigit) relinqueret sacrificium, quo cruentum illud semel in cruce peragendum repraesentaretur ejusque memoria in finem usque saeculi permaneret, atque illius salutaris virtus in remissionem eorum, quae a nobis quotidie commituntur, peccatorum applicaretur: “sacerdotem secundum ordinem Melchisededch se in aeternum” (Ps 109.4) constitutum declarans, corpus et sanguinem suum sub speciebus panis et vini Deo Patri obtulit ac sub earundem rerum symbolis Apostolis (quos tunc Novi Testamenti sacerdotes constituebat), ut sumerent, tradidit, et eisdem eorumque in sacerdotio successoribus, ut offerent, praecipit per haec verba: “Hoc facite in meam commemorationem”, etc. (Lc 22.19; Cor1 11.24), uti semper catholica Ecclesia intellexit et docuit (can. 2.).

1741 938 Nam celebrato veteri Pascha, quod in memoriam exitus de Aegypto multitudo filiorum Israel immolabat (Ex 12.1ss), novum instituit Pascha, se ipsum ab Ecclesia per sacerdotes sub signis visibilibus immolandum in memoriam transitus si ex hoc mundo ad Patrem, quando per sui sanguinis effusionem nos redemit “eripuitque de potestate tenebrarum et in regnum suum transtulit” (Col 1.13).

1742 939 Et haec quidem illa munda oblatio est, quae nulla indignitate aut malitia offerentium inquinari potest, quam Dominus per Malachiam nomini suo, quod magnum futurum esset in gentibus, in omni loco mundam offerendam praedixit (Mal 1.11), et quam non obscure innuit Apostolus Paulus Corinthiis scribens, cum dicit, non posse eos, qui participatione mensae daemoniorum polluti sint, mensae Domini participes fieri (Cor1 10.21), per mensam altare utrobique intelligens. Haec denique illa est, quae per varias sacrificiorum, naturae et Legis tempore (Gen 4.4; 8.20; 12.8; 22; Ex: passim), similitudines figurabatur, utpote quae bona omnia per illa significata veluti illorum omnium consummatio et perfectio complectitur.

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