The powerful short film, The Veil Removed, perfectly captures the most extraordinary event in all of history: Christ’s sacrifice of Calvary. An endless, continual sacrifice that transcends time and space itself, blending the supernatural world with the natural world. When we celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Christ’s Sacrifice of the Cross is renewed, and we become present to that very same timeless sacrifice which occurred 2,000 years ago.
The Real Presence
Through the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist by the miraculous process of transubstantiation, Christ offers himself for humankind in the same way he offered himself on the Cross as a Spotless Victim, Pure Victim, and Holy Victim. (For example, read the Gospel of Saint John, chapter 6.)
Just as though the Virgin Mary, the beloved disciple Saint John, Saint Mary Magdalene, and Saint Mary of Cleophas stood by the Cross of Jesus 2,000 years ago to witness the extraordinary moment where Christ conquered death by sacrificing Himself once and for all. During the consecration of the bread and wine in the Mass, the entire congregation also become spiritually present at the foot of the Cross on Calvary.
Although not visible to us, according to Christian tradition, from the moment of the consecration, heaven opens, and a vast multitude of Angels, saints, and the faithful departed are also present during the Holy Sacrifice of the Altar to adore Christ as the Sacrificial Lamb.
Saint John Chrysostom said, “When Mass is being celebrated, the sanctuary is filled with countless angels who adore the divine victim immolated on the altar.”
Watch this powerful film here.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (#1085) states: “In the liturgy of the Church, it is principally his own Paschal mystery that Christ signifies and makes present. During his earthly life, Jesus announced his Paschal mystery by his teaching and anticipated it by his actions.
“When his Hour comes, he lives out the unique event of history which does not pass away: Jesus dies, is buried, rises from the dead, and is seated at the right hand of the Father ‘once for all.’
“His Paschal mystery is a real event that occurred in our history, but it is unique: all other historical events happen once, and then they pass away, swallowed up in the past.
“The Paschal mystery of Christ, by contrast, cannot remain only in the past, because by his death he destroyed death, and all that Christ is – all that he did and suffered for all men – participates in the divine eternity, and so transcends all times while being made present in them all. The event of the Cross and Resurrection abides and draws everything toward life.”
By partaking in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we are invited to receive many extraordinary and efficacious graces and blessings. Saint Jerome, a Doctor of the Church said, “Without doubt, the Lord grants all favors which are asked of Him in Mass, provided they be fitting for us; and, which is a matter of great wonder, often He also grants that also which is not demanded of Him, if we, on our part, put no obstacle in the way.”
Indeed, the Holy Mass is the greatest prayer we have!
+JMJ+
Article Copyright © ChurchPOP. All Rights Reserved. Original article here.
Author Copyright © Georgette Bechara. All Rights Reserved.
Image Copyright © The Veil Removed. All Rights Reserved.
Mass Cards: Request Perpetual Mass Enrollments or Mass Intentions or Gregorian Masses for Loved Ones.
Our Catholic Faith: Catechism of the Catholic Church (Vatican Website)
Watch all of our 2-minute, family life videos on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN).