Having to correct peoples' confidently-stated constantly-reiterated misconceptions about the Catholic faith puts the conversation on an awkward footing, I think.
This is why I keep urging people: please don't TELL me what I believe. ASK me what I believe. TELL me what YOU believe. Please. That will be more interesting, more thoughtful, and --- I guarantee --- more accurate.
In the Mass, Christ offers Himself by virtue of His high priesthood; He is the offering by virtue of being the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world" (John 1:29). Thus, the Mass is truly an offering - the offering of Christ Himself.
It is a plain fact of history that Christ died only one time upon the cross. As Sacred Scripture says:
"Knowing that Christ rising again from the dead, dies now no more, death shall no more have dominion over him. For in that he died to sin, he died once; but in that He lives, He lives unto God" (Rom. 6:9-10).
As we say at every Sunday Mass, "He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father."
Though Jesus died only once, He is perpetually interceding for us before the throne of God, pleading His blood and the perfection of His offering to God on our behalf.
"Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us" (Rom. 8:34).
This heavenly offering is the principle act of the Mass.
In the Epistle to the Hebrews, it is revealed that because Christ is a perpetual high priest, He is ever offering Himself to God, and by virtue of this He is "able to save those who draw near" to Him. The author of Hebrews states:
"The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues for ever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them" (Heb. 7:23-25).
Amen?
Last post until tomorrow. Goodnight and peace be to you.
`