Topic 7 of 11
The Mass and the once-for-all sacrifice
The Catechism teaches that the sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice, and that the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. Hebrews says Christ offered Himself once for all.
What the Catechism teaches
The Catechism describes the Mass as making present the one sacrifice of the cross, and teaches transubstantiation.
The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1367 · official text
The Eucharist is thus a sacrifice because it re-presents (makes present) the sacrifice of the cross, because it is its memorial and because it applies its fruit
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1366 · official text
This change the holy Catholic Church has fittingly and properly called transubstantiation.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1376 · official text
What Scripture says
Hebrews says again and again that Christ offered Himself once, unlike the priests who offered day after day, and that where sins are forgiven there is no longer any offering for sin. On the cross Jesus said: It is finished. At the Last Supper He told His disciples to eat and drink in remembrance of Him, proclaiming His death until He comes.
27who doesn’t need, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices daily, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For he did this once for all, when he offered up himself.
Hebrews 7:27 (WEB) · context
25nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest enters into the holy place year by year with blood not his own, 26or else he must have suffered often since the foundation of the world. But now once at the end of the ages, he has been revealed to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment, 28so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Hebrews 9:25-28 (WEB) · context
10by which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11Every priest indeed stands day by day serving and offering often the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins, 12but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God, 13from that time waiting until his enemies are made the footstool of his feet. 14For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
Hebrews 10:10-14 (WEB) · context
18Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Hebrews 10:18 (WEB) · context
30When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:30 (WEB) · context
24When he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.” 25In the same way he also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.” 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
1 Corinthians 11:24-26 (WEB) · context
How Catholics answer
Catholics point to John 6, where Jesus says that unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood you have no life in you, and to His words at the Last Supper: This is my body.
53Jesus therefore said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you don’t have life in yourselves. 54He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:53-54 (WEB) · context
What Scripture answers
In the same chapter Jesus says that whoever comes to Him will never hunger and whoever believes in Him will never thirst, and that the words He spoke are spirit and life. Bible-believing Christians receive the Lord's Supper as a holy remembrance and communion, not as a repeated sacrifice.
35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
John 6:35 (WEB) · context
63It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life.
John 6:63 (WEB) · context
The good news
Saved by grace, through faith, in Christ
Salvation is God's free gift to everyone who trusts Jesus Christ alone.