Sep 21 Thu
The sacrifice of Calvary present in the Mass
In the Eucharist, we have the real, sacramental presence of the sacrifice of Calvary. In Calvary, the Gospels reveal what some thought to be just a Man dying for God.
At the Last Supper, Jesus foretells his death on the cross, and gives it a positive meaning: "This is my body which is given for you"; "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood" (Lk 22:19.20). These words showed that his death was FOR others. In the Last Supper, the event of Calvary was made present in advance, and was transformed into a gift of love within a Covenant, an Alliance.
Jesus wanted to establish a "covenant.” The formula of Mark and Matthew — "this is my blood, the blood of the covenant..." (Mk 14:24; Mt 26:28) — refers to the founding rite of the covenant on Sinai, when "Moses took the blood of the sacrificed animals and cast it upon the people, and said, 'Behold the blood of the covenant'" (Ex 24:8). In this way, the "sacrificial meaning" of Jesus' death is expressed; his death is a sacrifice similar to the sacrifice of Sinai, but very different, for no longer is the blood of unintelligent animals used, but the blood of a Man, conscious and free, who gives up his own life for others.
The formula used by Luke says: "This cup is the new covenant in my blood" (I Cor 11:25; Lk 22:20), referring to the oracle of Jeremiah which announced the establishment of a "new covenant" which was not like the covenant of Sinai (Jer 31:31-34).
The word "covenant," in the institution of the Eucharist brings the community aspect to the fore. On Calvary this aspect is not revealed. Jesus dies alone, rejected by the multitude, forsaken by his disciples.
At the Last Supper, on the other hand, he is with them, in the context of a meal eaten together. In all companionship at table there is a sense of communication between those present, of reciprocal acceptance, of affection. In this context, Jesus offers his body as food and his blood as drink.
As the same sacrifice is made sacramentally present in the Mass, it creates a full communion between every disciple and Jesus. He in me, and I in Him: ("he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him": Jn 6:56).
There is also a communion among all the disciples. “Because there is one bread, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Cor 10:16-17).
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