Posted on 01/07/2013 4:07:39 PM PST by NYer
Indeed. Which is why I haven't been to any organized religious service in just the longest time.
Primarily out of a sense of obligation to God. I owe God everything, so I must worship Him. The Mass is the highest form of worship; not because of anything I do, but because Jesus offers Himself to the Father. I get to take part in that and offer myself also.
Aso to receive Jesus Himself in the Eucharist. What else can you say? Wow!
While the readings and the homily and the singing can be bonus material, they, like the lack of distractions, are immaterial to what is going on— that supreme sacrifice of Jesus, being made present once again.
“once” is used several times in Hebrews. (Douay-Rheims translation)
Hebrews 7:27
Who needeth not daily (as the other priests) to offer sacrifices first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, in offering himself.
Hebrews 7:26-28 (in Context) Hebrews 7 (Whole Chapter)
Hebrews 9:7
But into the second, the high priest alone, once a year: not without blood, which he offereth for his own, and the people’s ignorance:
Hebrews 9:6-8 (in Context) Hebrews 9 (Whole Chapter)
Hebrews 9:12
Neither by the blood of goats, or of calves, but by his own blood, entered once into the holies, having obtained eternal redemption.
Hebrews 9:11-13 (in Context) Hebrews 9 (Whole Chapter)
Hebrews 9:26
For then he ought to have suffered often from the beginning of the world: but now once at the end of ages, he hath appeared for the destruction of sin, by the sacrifice of himself.
Hebrews 9:25-27 (in Context) Hebrews 9 (Whole Chapter)
Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment:
Hebrews 9:26-28 (in Context) Hebrews 9 (Whole Chapter)
Hebrews 9:28
So also Christ was offered once to exhaust the sins of many; the second time he shall appear without sin to them that expect him unto salvation.
Hebrews 9:27-28 (in Context) Hebrews 9 (Whole Chapter)
Hebrews 10:2
For then they would have ceased to be offered: because the worshippers once cleansed should have no conscience of sin any longer:
Hebrews 10:1-3 (in Context) Hebrews 10 (Whole Chapter)
Hebrews 10:10
In the which will, we are sanctified by the oblation of the body of Jesus Christ once.
Hebrews 10:9-11 (in Context) Hebrews 10 (Whole Chapter)
The “sacrifice of the Mass” does NOT need to occur over and over again.
Only the LORD’S Supper need to be repeated on a regular basis.
P.S. I went to Mass every Sunday for many many years.
Jesus only died ONCE.
Unless I am misunderstanding your post, you are misunderstanding, or not aware of, the Church teaching on the Mass and the Holy Eucharist as it concerns Our Savior’s death on the cross.
If you have time, the previously posted videos by Bishop Sheen offer a fairly complete view.
"Once for all"
The Catholic Church specifically says Christ does not die again—his death is once for all. It would be something else if the Church were to claim he does die again, but it doesn’t make that claim. Through his intercessory ministry in heaven and through the Mass, Jesus continues to offer himself to his Father as a living sacrifice, and he does so in what the Church specifically states is "an unbloody manner"—one that does not involve a new crucifixion.
This shorter article would be quicker..
"Once for all"
The Catholic Church specifically says Christ does not die again—his death is once for all. It would be something else if the Church were to claim he does die again, but it doesn’t make that claim. Through his intercessory ministry in heaven and through the Mass, Jesus continues to offer himself to his Father as a living sacrifice, and he does so in what the Church specifically states is "an unbloody manner"—one that does not involve a new crucifixion.
Great post, thanks!
Hi. I was RCC for a loooong time....
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2327607/posts?page=13#13
“On my Catholic education:
8 years Catholic grade school
4 years Catholic high school
Weekly CCD classes by quite conservative Novus Ordo RCC priest
Parents subscribed to National Catholic Register, the Wanderer, Fidelity and The Remnant, and I read them while growing up.
I subscribed to Fidelity and Remnant in undergrad college and never stopped contending against modernism in the Catholic Church.”
From the SSPX article:
“In this explanation of the Council of Trent it is
clarified that: 1) the Mass is a true sacrifice, that is
offered to God alone; 2) this sacrifice is offered for
the praise and adoration of God in three Persons as
thanksgiving, impetration, and above all as propitiation
for our daily sins; 3) Christ offers Himself to His
heavenly Father under the appearances of bread and
wine; 4) He, as High Priest of the New Covenant,
accomplishes this Sacrifice through human priests and
by means of the services of the Church.
Let’s take a closer look at the issues surrounding
these points.
The Mass Is a True
Sacrifice Offered to God
First of all, it should be clear that the Holy Sacrifice
of the Mass is offered to God and to God alone, while
the sacraments are primarily instituted for humanity,
for the sanctification of souls.”
The SSPX does teach the true interpretation of Trent.
If I agreed with the SSPX, I would still attend Mass.....
But now I don’t, so I don’t.
I do hope you find God’s truth in the Word of GOd.
Because I love God. Why else would I go? I worship, I pray and sometimes I need to feel God’s love all around me. The world tears you down, and mass should build you back up. I don’t expect God to always come to me, I make the effort to go to Him. The Eucharist is the ultimate union with God, but hearing His Word spoken aloud is important as well.
For anyone not getting joy out of mass, get help. This should be a joyful experience, not a chore.
I appreciate your years in the Church; however, it seems your understanding of the Mass and Christ’s sacrifice are incorrect. The link, and other sources, can help correct.
The Catholic Church does not teach that the Mass is a re-crucifixion of Christ, who does not suffer and die again in the Mass.
CC 1330 The memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection.
The Holy Sacrifice, because it makes present the one sacrifice of Christ the Savior…
http://www.thecounciloftrent.com/ch22.htm
ON THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS
CANONS
CANON I.—If any one saith, that in the mass a true and proper sacriflce is not offered to God; or, that to be offered is nothing else but that Christ is given us to eat; let him be anathema.
CANON II.—If any one saith, that by those words, Do this for the commemoration of me (Luke xxii. 19), Christ did not institute the apostles priests; or, did not ordain that they, and other priests should offer His own body and blood; let him be anathema.
CANON III.—If any one saith, that the sacrifice of the mass is only a sacrifice of praise and of thanksgiving; or, that it is a bare commemoration of the sacrifice consummated on the cross, but not a propitiatory sacrifice; or, that it profits him only who receives; and that it ought not to be offered for the living and the dead for sins, pains, satisfactions, and other necessities; let him be anathema.
CANON IV.—If any one saith, that, by the sacrifice of the mass, a blasphemy is cast upon the most holy sacrifice of Christ consummated on the cross; or, that it is thereby derogated from; let him be anathema.
CANON V.—If any one saith, that it is an imposture to celebrate masses in honour of the saints, and for obtaining their intercession with God, as the Church intends; let him be anathema.
CANON VI.—If any one saith, that the canon of the mass contains errors, and is therefore to be abrogated; let him be anathema.
CANON VII.—If any one saith, that the ceremonies, vestments, and outward signs, which the Catholic Church makes use of in the celebration of masses, are incentives to impiety, rather than offices of piety; let him be anathema.
CANON VIII.—If any one saith, that masses, wherein the priest alone communicates sacramentally, are unlawful, and are, therefore, to be abrogated; let him be anathema.
CANON IX.—If any one saith, that the rite of the Roman Church, according to which a part of the canon and the words of consecration are pronounced in a low tone, is to be condemned; or, that the mass ought to be celebrated in the vulgar tongue only; or, that water ought not to be mixed with the wine that is to be offered in the chalice, for that it is contrary to the institution of Christ; let him be anathema.
The SSPX is absolutely correct in their interpretation of Trent.
No worry, though, since I agree with the Word,
and not with the SSPX,
or with Rome.
I am anathematized by Rome.
But I am justified by faith in Christ.
Thanks for your reply.
Here’s what I’m not understanding in your position. Initially, your point was:
“Jesus only died ONCE.”
This is in agreement with the Church. Jesus does not die again - in the Mass or otherwise.
I’ve posted various cites to this. I’m unclear where you are seeing it differently.
The relevant portion from the Council of Trent would be: “The fruits of that bloody sacrifice, it is well understood, are received most abundantly through this unbloody one, so far is the latter from derogating in any way from the former.”
It is not a repetition; Christ is not re-crucified. The Sacrifice of the Mass is unbloody after the order of Melchizedek.
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