What is the Holy Mass? A Meal or a Sacrifice?

Going Back to the Roots of Sacrifice

On the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, I became terribly sick and I continue to be sick, therefore my long absence on substack. This sickness has prevented me from attending Holy Mass, since 2nd February. Unfortunately for me the nearby Protestant Church conducts its services using some sort of megaphone. Starting at 6:30 AM, on Sundays they continue on until 2 PM. I couldn’t help but notice that the only thing they do is sing songs that are loud and lack musicality. It’s real torture to listen to some of their singing; knowing that I cannot hear the Holy Mass that is being offered just down the road but this singing floods every room of my home.

It got me thinking about this whole ecumenism thing that has been happening in the Church for the last 50+ years. This singing and clapping are apparently what some Catholic prelates found attractive compared to what we already had in the Church i.e. Gregorian Chant. The more I thought about the way some groups pray, it occurred to me that they are not praying in the way Our Lord prayed. In the New Testament, the disciples. who had spent three years with Christ, asked Him, “Lord teach us to pray.” And He taught them the “Our Father.” The fact that these disciples, who lived and heard Christ’s teachings, first hand, needed Him to teach them how to pray, was a matter for further consideration. We can’t even learn how to pray by observation, Christ has to literally give us words to pray! The Apostles were humble enough to acknowledge their weakness, but where is the Church today? Instead of Christ, ecumenism and unity are constantly presented to us as the goals of our prayer life, when in reality, our prayer should be about honoring God and being united to Him.

The Gospels tells us that Christ taught His disciples many things, but to the rest of the world, He spoke in parables.¹ This is probably something non-Catholics do not believe in, because they always ask for Scriptural proof. ”Where is that in the Bible?” Is a favorite question among many non-Catholics. If they can’t find the Holy Mass or the Holy Rosary the way we pray it, (in their Bible) they will reject it as non biblical. The Bible itself tells us, that Our Lord taught and did many things which were not written down, what was written down was meant for us to believe and thus save our souls.²³

What Christ did do, however, was establish His Church (again a thing that Protestants do not believe in, even though it can be proven by Scripture.⁴ Through this One Church, He continues to work in the world. This is the Kingdom of God, that He came to establish and which He announced during His preaching⁵. Yes, the Kingdom also refers to the Heavenly Kingdom to come; but Christ came to continue the Kingdom established through David, for the promise of God was that a son of David would build a temple for God.⁶

Solomon was not that Son because Solomon and all of David’s descendants are men, who died. It is because Christ was the Son of David that He could say to His enemies, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” [John 2:19] He was referring to His Body that He would raise again after it had remained, in the tomb, for three days; however, the Church is also the Mystical Body of Christ. This Church would be the Temple, where a pleasing Sacrifice would be continuously offered to God. This is the Third Temple, that most non believers do not get. Christ is the Third Temple, the Church is His Mystical Body, thus since Christ and the Church are One - the Church is that Third Temple. Therefore, the saints could say, the Church is Christ and there is no salvation outside the Catholic Church⁷. The Church is perfect because Christ is perfect (although like Judas, there are imperfect members in the Church). The Church has the fulness of Christ, we have no need of going outside Christ to learn anything from anyone. It is illogical to think that men can teach God something.

There is so much going on in this mystery of Christ and the Church that if we are not careful, we can miss out everything and lose our salvation.

Anyway, these thoughts came to my mind because of the loud singing from the nearby “church” service. Then a question about worship came to my mind: “Are these people even worshipping God?” because their way of “worship” was quite alien to Christian prayer. While the Apostolic Church was a continuation of the Jewish Temple, their worship was a fulfilment of what had gone before them — mainly Temple Sacrifice. Some modern theologians have argued for Catholics to go back to the way early Christians prayed and then they give us songs like “We are happy Christians all united in the Lord,” “Praise God, Praise God, let His love remind us of the power of His Name”, or some other New Order song. These childish songs do not match the majesty of God and neither do they teach us anything about the deep meaning of God becoming man to save mankind. We need Christ to teach us how to pray, the world is our enemy remember, (it cannot teach us how to worship God)?⁸

If we want to know about Christian worship, we have to go to the Apostolic Church, read the letters of St. Peter, read St. Paul, read the book of Acts. Worship was orderly and solemn. There was no un-ordained person walking about in the holy of holies preaching incoherently, in fact St. Paul councils the Corinthians that there should be an interpreter if someone preaches in tongues, so that everyone understands the teaching.⁹ I’ve actually witnessed this madness as I lived beside a Pentecostal Mission, for two years. The people were probably sincere, but everyone would be crying out at intervals, some barking, some making random sounds claiming to speak in tongues; can anyone be convinced that the God, Who created everything in order was in charge of this assembly? This was not a new Pentecost either, because it doesn’t resemble the one and only Pentecost, where Peter stood up and spoke, and everyone around understood him.

Pentecost was a reversal of Babel, but the Pentecostals are worse than the people at Babel, because they don’t even speak a language that they themselves understand. St. Paul says, “19 But in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others also; than ten thousand words in a tongue.” [1 Corinthians 14:19] These missions and assemblies of various denominations are actually just inventing things and calling it worship. They need help to understand what prayer is, and only Christ can teach us how to pray. The Charismatic movement in the Catholic Church, an offshoot of the Pentecostal movement, doesn’t have much in common with what the Bible teaches, either. These people need to ask themselves why they cannot translate what they themselves are saying. For St. Paul says, “32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the God of dissension, but of peace: as also I teach in all the churches of the saints.” [1 Corinthians 14:19-32-33] Yes, go back to the roots, but make sure they are the actual living roots of the Tree (the Church) and not something like a disease that cut itself from the Tree, to which now denominations are attached.

The problem that I see with denominational worship is that it does not look or sound anything like the Old Testament worship or New Testament worship. Worship since the time of Adam has always involved Sacrifice, an altar, a priesthood. Where are these in the sing song forms of denominational worship? Are they selling you music in the name of worship?

Protestant worship is only around 500 years old, people need to learn history. They need to ask what happened before that, how did Christians identify themselves? Were they called Catholic by any chance? How did they pray? Go back to the Protestant Revolt and don’t just stop at the Apostolic Age, go all the way back to Abel and Melchizedek. Why was Abel offering a lamb? Why was Melchizedek offering Bread and Wine? Why was Moses told to offer a Lamb as a Passover Sacrifice? Why did Christ offer the Bread and Wine, at His Last Supper, and call it an everlasting Covenant? Why did He command His Apostles to do this action in memory of Him?¹⁰ Wasn’t He just having a meal? Wasn’t this just the Passover that Christ was celebrating? And why do denominations not obey this command of Christ? Was this just a meal or was this Last Supper the fulfillment of the ancient Passover? “Behold I make all things new” [Apocalypse (Revelation) 21:5] says Our Lord. Was He making this Passover into a New Covenant?

So many questions buzzed through my head because I could not attend the Holy Mass; and I had to put up with the “prayers” of a “Christian” group blaring through my windows.

Let’s take a closer look at the above mentioned sacrifices. Speaking about the sacrifice of Abel, this was Abel’s best lamb. It was the best that man could offer God, (from what God, Himself had provided). Then we look at Abraham, Jacob, and the rest of Israel offering Sacrifices to God. They offered to God the best of their produce, whether it was grain, or cattle; they offered the first produce and the best produce to God. In reality, it was God, Who had made the sheep or cattle grow, it was God, Who had provided the matter for the sacrifice. But the people knew that they had nothing other than what God, Himself had given, and so they offered back to God, what He had provided.

This Sacrifice offered to God had to be without blemish¹¹, we read in the Book of Leviticus how meticulous the Jewish priests were in this regard. We also know that the Sacrifice had to be totally consumed¹² by fire. The smoke from the sacrifice indicating that the Sacrifice had reached Heaven. These sacrifices were not touched by mere men, but by men selected by God; neither were the sacrifices consumed by lay people, until the Passover Sacrifice.

At the Passover, the Sacrificed Lamb had to be consumed by the household offering the sacrifice, because it was an offering made by that/those family/families. Under the slavery of Egypt and with the shadow of the angel of death looming around them, the Israelites offered to God, a spotless lamb. The blood of this lamb was smeared on their door posts, indicating that the angel of death had to pass over their household. That is where the term “Passover” comes from. This was such a huge miracle that the Jews celebrated it and Christ raised it up to its full meaning. This was not a meal being eaten by family, this was a sacrifice offered to God, begging Him to free them from slavery and death.

Which brings us back to the Holy Mass and the Last Supper. Christ had told His disciples that He had come to fulfil the Law and the Prophets. At the Last Supper, He was fulfilling what was foreshadowed in Moses’ Passover. Here was Christ — the New Moses, leading His people out of the slavery of sin and death, into the Promised Land of Heaven. Here everything was being made new. Those who are baptized and partake of this New Passover, commemorate (we do not celebrate) the death of the Lamb, of God. His Sacrificial Death is made present to us Catholics at every Holy Mass. His Blood is sprinkled on us anew and the angel of death passes over us, without harming us. This is what the Mass is, it is not a meal — the meal is only a setting for what was happening around the Israelites in captivity. Christ uses the setting of the Last Supper, but our eyes should be fixed on what is happening — the spotless Lamb of God is sacrificed on Calvary and His Blood is sprinkled on us.

We need to see the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for what it really is. It is the Sacrifice pleasing to God, made by the Only Begotten Son of God. This is the best we can ever presume to offer such a Holy God. There is no one and nothing more pleasing to God than His Son. His Sacrifice is the greatest thing on this side of eternity and we have to remember how we partake of it. The world around us is falling to pieces and there is sin and death lurking in every corner of our lives, one slip and we can lose Sanctifying Grace from our souls and become like corpses walking around. We are like the poor Israelites, who were slaves in Egypt, the world we live in, is Egypt. The angel of death is lurking about as always; only the Blood of the Lamb can save us. We need His Blood constantly on the doorposts of our souls, or we too will be dead.

This is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is Calvary, it is the Last Supper, it is the Great Passover. Let no one fool you into thinking that a bit of clapping is OK at Mass. How about that ecumenical prayer? Is that what Christ offered His Father or was it a recent invention? Can you imagine the Israelites dancing as the angel of death loomed in the night sky? Yet, people insist on dancing (liturgical dance?) and singing “happy” songs at Holy Mass. Then we have people offended by the offering of the best to God — they take offence at the beautiful vestments, the lace, the incense, the gold furnishings, etc. If this is an offering to the King of kings, it should be fitting for the King of kings. It deserves to be the best that we can give God, let no one accuse you of being a Pharisee, for Christ didn’t chide the Pharisees for their attention to detail, but rather, because their hearts were not in what they were doing. Yes, adorn the altar, adorn the vestments, but adorn your soul with a good confession too. And let’s pray for those who hate the Holy Mass and ban it.

As we prepare for every Mass, we should picture the old Passover and even Calvary. What was the disposition of the Israelites? What was the condition of Our Lady and St. John? Did the Israelites make a sound, on that Passover night or were they were praying? And did God command that, they eat with girdles on and with feet shod¹³ If the prefigured Passover was so serious, how do people get away by trivializing the fulfillment of the Passover — the Holy Mass? Would anyone dance and sing happy songs in front of the Sorrowful Mother to cheer her up? Nonsense! Yet, there are people wanting to bring a new church into being.

Is the Holy Sacrifice which protects us from death a place for ecumenism? What a silly idea to want to be united to Egypt, while partaking of the Great Passover! Should culture come into the Holy Sacrifice of the Son of God? Is this really more important than saving our souls? Some prelates have lost the plot, they do not see the Holy Sacrifice for what it is, that’s why they can tear it down, ban it, reduce it to being called a service, etc.. The only way to get back on track is for the whole Mystical Body of Christ to return to the origins, which is Christ.

Christ left us the Holy Mass and the Sacraments to make us holy as He is holy. The whole point of the Mass is to make us into a new creation¹⁴ — we are made into the image of the Son of God through His Real Presence, at Holy Mass. Thus, what Adam lost is now restored to a higher order, through Christ. This is why only Christ can teach us how to pray. This is why the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass cannot be equaled to any other type of worship, especially not non-Catholic prayer services. The next time you go to Holy Mass, think about the great and underserved privilege of offering to God THE Sacrifice pleasing to Him. If it weren’t for the Grace of God, we would be singing invented songs, saying meaningless things that are not pleasing to God. But at Mass, we are in a sort of time capsule, inside the Church. We are at the same time at Calvary, in Eternity¹⁵, and in our current time.

What a great mystery unfolds before us and people choose to bring in culture, the times, other religions, current affairs, the environment, feminism, and other rubbish which is passing away. No, the Mass is the Holy Sacrifice of Christ to His Father in Heaven, to save us from the slavery of sin and death. As long as your legs can carry you, go for Mass, gather up the treasures of Heaven, when you are on this side of Eternity. This is the inheritance that Christ left us, take of it as much as you want because He has not set a limit to His generosity. Make use of today, because we do not know if we can go to Mass tomorrow, even if it is just a few blocks away.

And the world passeth away, and the concupiscence thereof: but he that doth the will of God, abideth for ever.
[1 John 2:17]

Footnotes

1. 34 And without parable he did not speak unto them; but apart, he explained all things to his disciples. (Mark 4:34)

2. 30 Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing, you may have life in his name. (John” 20:30-31)

3. 25 But there are also many other things which Jesus did; which, if they were written every one, the world itself, I think, would not be able to contain the books that should be written. (John 21:25)

4. 15 Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? 16 Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven. 20 Then he commanded his disciples, that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ. (Matthew 16:15-20)

5. And saying: The time is accomplished, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe the gospel. [Mark 1:15]

6. 19 Nevertheless thou shalt not build me a house, but thy son, that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build a house to my name. [3 Kings (1 Kings) 8:19]

7. The original phrase, "Salus extra ecclesiam non est" ("there is no salvation outside the Church"), comes from Letter LXXII of Cyprian of Carthage (died 258).

204. How can a Catholic best safeguard his faith?

8. A Catholic can best safeguard his faith by making frequent acts of faith, by praying for a strong faith, by studying his religion very earnestly, by living a good life, by good reading, by refusing to associate with the enemies of the Church, and by not reading books and papers opposed to the Church and her teaching.

I know that after my departure fierce wolves will get in among you, and will not spare the flock. And from among your own selves men will rise speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. (Acts 20:29-30)

205. How does a Catholic sin against faith?

A Catholic sins against faith by apostasy, heresy, indifferentism, and by taking part in non-Catholic worship.

206. Why does a Catholic sin against faith by taking part in non-Catholic worship.

A Catholic sins against faith by taking part in non-Catholic worship when he intends to identify himself with a religion he knows is defective.

This is why I was born, and why I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice. (John 18:37) (Lesson 16 from the Baltimore Cathechism)

9. 22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to believers, but to unbelievers; but prophecies not to unbelievers, but to believers. 23 If therefore the whole church come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in unlearned persons or infidels, will they not say that you are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or an unlearned person, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all. 25 The secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so, falling down on his face, he will adore God, affirming that God is among you indeed. 26 How is it then, brethren? When you come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation: let all things be done to edification. 27 If any speak with a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and in course, and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him hold his peace in the church, and speak to himself and to God. 29 And let the prophets speak, two or three; and let the rest judge. 30 But if any thing be revealed to another sitting, let the first hold his peace. [1 Corinthians 14: 22-30]

10. In like manner also the chalice, after he had supped, saying: This chalice is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of me. [1 Corinthians 11:25]

11. And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offerings, and he will offer of the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer them without blemish before the Lord. [Leviticus 3:1]

12. For every sacrifice of the priest shall be consumed with fire, neither shall any man eat thereof.[Leviticus 6:23]

13. And thus you shall eat it: you shall gird your reins, and you shall have shoes on your feet, holding staves in your hands, and you shall eat in haste: for it is the Phase (that is the Passage) of the Lord. [Exodus 12:11]

14. If then any be in Christ a new creature, the old things are passed away, behold all things are made new. [2 Corinthians 5:17]

15. the Lamb, which was slain from the beginning of the world [Apocalypse (Revelation) 13:8]