Holy Mass as a Sacrifice
What Happens During Mass?
During Holy Mass the Priest acts in the Peron of Christ and once again offers up the very same sacrifice offered to the Father almost 2000 years ago. This sacrifice was Jesus' perfect Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. During Mass those in Heaven are made present with us. This sacrifice is not a new sacrifice, but the very same one.
Non-Catholics often believe that Catholics re-sacrifice Christ during Holy Mass. This is simply not true. The Catholic Mass is the same sacrifice as the sacrifice of the cross offerd up by Christ. Christ, though invisible, is the principal minister, offering Himself in the Mass. The priest is the visible and secondary minister, offering Christ in the Mass. The manner in which the sacrifice is offered is different. On the cross Christ physically shed His blood and was physically slain, while in the Mass there is no physical shedding of blood nor physical death, because Christ can die no more; on the cross Christ gained merit and satisfied for us, while in the Mass He applies to us the merits and satisfaction of His death on the cross. The Catholic Church is the only Church which offers up this sacrifice to the Father.
​
Holy Mass as a Sacrifice from Scripture:
​
“ and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5)
“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)
“So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Matt 5:23-24)
“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrew 13:15-16)
“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.” (1 Cor 10:16-17)