Understanding the Mass, Part I -- Christ's Sacrifice

Faith Formation Resource on the Eucharist   Understanding the Mass Part I - A Unique Sacrifice Made Present by: Marcellino D'Ambrosio Even Catholics who don’t know much about their faith have some vague awareness that they’re supposed to go to Mass on Sunday. Ask them to describe the Mass, though, and they might tell you that it involves an introduction, a conclusion, and a collection! The Mass (also called the Eucharist or the Divine Liturgy) has two main parts, the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. But rather than analyze its parts, I’d like to examine the Mass as a whole in terms of its three principal aspects. Now and always, the Mass involves a sacrifice, the presence of Christ, and a meal. It’s important to know what the Church means by the "sacrifice" of the Mass. The term is easily misunderstood and has caused much strife among Christians. First of all, Church teaching reiterates what Scripture states very clearly: there is no other sacrifice except the one offered by Jesus on Calvary. Hebrews 10:12 says that Christ "offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins." That sacrifice cannot be repeated. The Mass, therefore, is not a repetition; it is a re-presentation of that sacrifice. Because Christ was a unique human being, the sacrifice He offered on the cross once and for all is a unique act. He was a human being, so it was an act that took place in history and is therefore past. He is God, who is outside of time: past and future are always present to Him. This means that His death and resurrection are eternal acts that can be made present by the power of the Spirit. This is exactly what happens in the Eucharist. The power of Calvary — the sacrifice that takes away sins, heals, and transforms — becomes present and available to us. It can be applied to our need. But that’s not all. The cross is incomplete without the Resurrection. You can’t understand what happened on Good Friday apart from what happened two days later on Easter Sunday. This means that the Resurrection, too, is made present every time the Eucharist is celebrated. When we go to Mass, we’re present at the foot of the cross, watching the Savior give His life for us. And we’re outside the open tomb with the risen Jesus and the women who greeted Him on that resurrection morning. "This is for you. I give My life to you," Jesus is saying. "Receive My power." Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice in order to bring us salvation and give us His Spirit. Pentecost is the fruit of the sacrifice of the Cross and the victory of the Resurrection. Thus, the Church teaches that every Mass is a new Pentecost, a new opportunity to receive the Spirit afresh (see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, par. 739). To sum up, the Mass is Christ’s sacrifice made present again. It’s not recalled, as if it had been absent or were merely a past event. It’s re-presented.     Click here to download and print Understanding the Mass. Part I!   For more Catholic catechetical religious education resources for stronger faith formation, visit the Crossroads Initiative Homepage.     To sign up for our free weekly e-mail with Dr. D'Ambrosio's commentary on the Sunday readings, liturgical feasts, updates on where Dr. D will be speaking, a chance to WIN a FREE CD and MORE, CLICK HERE!     This article is Part I of a Five Part Series on Understanding the Mass, click to read Part II, Part III, Part IV and Part V.   This article appears in the Liturgy and Sacraments and the Eucharist sections of The Crossroads Initiative Library.   Feast of Faith - The Transforming Power of the Eucharist "The Feast of Faith," is an enlightening, four-part adult faith formation series (on 2 CDs, or 2 DVDs) guaranteed to unlock the life-changing power of the Eucharist in your life. Be sure to order the Feast of Faith Workbook, you may view it online, to get the most out of this amazing Eucharist Series!   Part One – Sacrifice – discusses how the Mass is a true sacrifice, the “re-presentation” of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross.   Part Two – Real Presence – The uniqueness of Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist is contrasted with the other ways he is present in the world. Out need to be properly prepared to receive Jesus in the Eucharist is discussed in…   Part Three – Preparation – we need to have more faith, more appetite, more repentance, and more forgiveness. Finally…   Part Four – Adoration – explains the meaning and purpose of Eucharistic adoration and offers practical ways we can spend time before our eucharistic Lord in a way that tranforms our lives. This is a must-have series for RCIA and Parish Adult Faith Formation.   Feast of Faith DVD - $49.95 Feast of Faith – CD - $19.95 Feast of Faith Workbook - $6.95    Don't forget to purchase the study guide specifically designed to facilitate this process for individuals, study groups, and religious education classes. It is chocked full of quotes from Scripture, Church teaching, and great saints on the meaning and power of the Eucharist.     Feast of Faith DVD and Workbook Set Feast of Faith CD and Workbook Set     Exploring the Catholic Church: An Introduction to Catholic Teaching & Practice Exploring the Catholic Church: An Introduction to Catholic Teaching and Practice by Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio is an accessible, affordable Roman Catholic Book--perfect gift for anyone!! -- the inactive Catholic, the Sunday Catholic wanting to know more, Protestants who want to know why Catholics do what they do. In fact there are TWO chapters devoted to the meaning of the Eucharist and how to get more out of it!  An enjoyable approach to faith formation and religious eduation.