A Meditation on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

The Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the self-same Sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross. It is one and the same Sacrifice. It is not the Sacrifice of Jesus recreated. It is not reenacted. It is not repeated. It is the same Sacrifice that takes place out of time.

This video is a powerful and beautiful illustration of this reality. This symbolism is shown below from "The Catholic Church Alone: The One True Church of Christ" by the Catholic Education Company, New York, page 551:

• "When the priest kisses the altar, he is kissing Christ, *faithfully,* in contradiction to the kiss of betrayal by Judas." In a sense, the priest is making atonement for the betrayal of Judas.
• "The priest reading the Introit represents Christ being falsely accused by Annas and blasphemed."
• "The priest going to the middle of the altar and saying the Kyrie Eleison represents Christ being brought to Caiphas and these three times denied by Peter."
• "The priest saying the 'Dominus vobiscum' represents Christ looking at Peter and converting him."
• "The priest saying the 'Orate Fratres' represents Christ being shown by Pilate to the people with the words 'Ecce Homo.'"
• "The priest praying in a low voice represents Christ being mocked and spit upon."
• "The priest blessing the bread and wine represents Christ being nailed to the cross."
• "The priest elevating the host represents Christ being raised on the cross."
• "The priest goes to the Epistle side and prays signifying how Jesus was led before Pilate and falsely accused."
• "The priest goes to the Gospel-side, where he reads the Gospel, signifying how Christ was sent from Pilate to Herod, and was mocked and derided by the latter."
• "The priest goes from the Gospel side again to the middle of the altar - this signifies how Jesus was sent back from Herod to Pilate."
• "The priest uncovers the chalice, recalling how Christ was stripped for the scourging."
• "The priest offers bread and wine, signifying how Jesus was bound to the pillar and scourged."
• "The priest washes his hands, signifying how Pilate declared Jesus innocent by washing his hands."
• "The priest covers the chalice after the Offertory recalling how Jesus was crowned with thorns."
• "The priest breaking and separating the host represents Christ giving up His spirit."

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