Rev José Mario O Mandía
jmom.honlam.org
The Letter to the Hebrews is a treasury of information about the Holy Mass. It makes the following key affirmations:
1. Jesus Christ inaugurates a new, far superior Covenant
He is the Mediator of a more excellent covenant, enacted on the basis of superior promises (cf 8:6).
He annuls or abolishes the first covenant in order to establish the second (cf 8:13, 10:9).
2. This New Covenant has a one superior Sacrifice
The many different sacrifices of the Old Law were only symbolic: “it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins” (10:4; cf 10:10).
“He did this once for all when he offered himself up” (7:27), unlike the priests of the Old Covenant who were “repeatedly offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins” (10:11)
“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified” (10:14).
3. This Sacrifice is offered by a superior Eternal High Priest
He is not like the Old Testament priests in the order of Levite, but a priest “after the order of Melchizedek” (5:10; 6:20). Melchizedek was the king of Salem and a priest. “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High” (Genesis 14:18).
Melchizedek symbolizes eternal priesthood: “He is without father or mother or genealogy, and has neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest for ever” (7:3)
“The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues for ever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens” (7:23-26).
4. Superior Victim
He was “offered once to bear the sins of many” (Heb 9:28). There was no need to repeat His sacrifice. Each Mass is not a different sacrifice, but is the very Sacrifice of the Cross.
Christ’s one single sacrifice obtains forgiveness for all past, present and future sins. “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (10:10).
So what’s the use of going to Mass?
We go to Mass to obtain the fruits of Jesus’ Sacrifice. Those fruits are applied to those who approach and ask. They are not automatically applied to everyone. Christ respects our freedom to take or refuse!
Imagine going to a banquet where the host has prepared all kinds of cuisine. It does not suffice, however, just to be present, in order to enjoy what has been prepared. One has to take for himself what he wishes. He will starve if he doesn’t.
THE MASS IS THE MOST POWERFUL PRAYER
Jesus Christ is the Superior Mediator. His prayer is more effective than all our prayers combined. This is why the Mass fulfills perfectly the four ends of prayer, which are:
1. Adoration or worship (cf CCC 1359 and 1361). The Mass is a sacrifice of praise. It is the most perfect act of adoration that man can ever give to God because the one who offers praise on our behalf is the Perfect Man Himself. No other “worship” can equal the Mass in value.
2. Thanksgiving (cf CCC 1359 and 1360). The Mass is the best way of thanking God for creating us, for redeeming us, for sanctifying us, and for giving us the things we need.
3. Petition (cf CCC 2629 and 1414). The Mass is the highest prayer of petition, because the One who prays is Jesus Himself. No one can please the Father more than the Beloved Son. The prayer of Jesus in the Mass is all-powerful.
4. Atonement and reparation (cf CCC 2631). The infinite merits of Jesus Christ covers up for all the sins and failures of all men. No other prayer contains so much merit as the Holy Sacrifice of the Altar. (Image: Jesus Christ the High Priest, Prayer card, printed paper Printed circa 1910. Private Collection, London)
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