Question about Mass (open for anyone to answer)

[Of Mike and Men]

I am reading a book about a biblical defense of Catholicism. In it, the author says that mass is not a re-sacrifice of Christ, but a re-presentation of His crucifixion. However, to put it lightly, I don't see the difference. Isn't a re-presentation, the same as a re-sacrifice? And if it isn't, than isn't it similar to the Protestant belief that it is purely symbolic? I mean, a presentation is the giving of something (Christ body -- which He gave) to someone. So, if you re-present the crucifixion, you re-give His sacrifice, thus re-sacrificing.

And if not, is it then best described as a CONTINUED sacrifice? That is, that Christ hasn't stopped sacrificing His body?

I'm not trying to attack your theology, I'm trying to understand it.

[Patricia92]

Theres a complete difference between the two. I am Protestant but I do study religion, and re-sacrificing would mean you are literally sacrificing. The Mass represents that sacrifice, meaning that the sacrifice is being represented in a spiritual, not a physical form. Does that make sense?

[Epsilon]

Originally Posted by Of Mike and Men

I am reading a book about a biblical defense of Catholicism. In it, the author says that mass is not a re-sacrifice of Christ, but a re-presentation of His crucifixion. However, to put it lightly, I don't see the difference. Isn't a re-presentation, the same as a re-sacrifice? And if it isn't, than isn't it similar to the Protestant belief that it is purely symbolic? I mean, a presentation is the giving of something (Christ body -- which He gave) to someone. So, if you re-present the crucifixion, you re-give His sacrifice, thus re-sacrificing.

And if not, is it then best described as a CONTINUED sacrifice? That is, that Christ hasn't stopped sacrificing His body?

I'm not trying to attack your theology, I'm trying to understand it.

The mass isn't a re-sacrifice of Christ because Christ was sacrificed once and for all. The Mass is indeed a re-presention of that sacrifice. not a symbol, but the true sacrifice that is being presented again. Think of it this way, a studio films a tv show and broadcasts it live, it isn't being filmed again and again on each individual tv set, rather it is the same filming being received in countless television sets, same goes for Christ on the cross, one sacrifice that is continually celebrated via the mass.