Q. Wait! Ok. So now I am pretty confused! You guys don't claim Christ is PHYSICALLY present? Are you sure!?
A. The only physical presence is that of the MATTER of the sacrament i.e. the bread and the wine.
Q. So we would be more correct in stating that the Catholic Church teaches that Christ is present UNDER THE PHYSICAL APPEARANCES of bread and wine?
A. Correct. So as soon as the matter (and consequently the appearances) of the bread and of the wine disappear for whatever reason - digestion or decomposition - the sacrament disappears.
Q. Ah! Fine... Ok. That makes a bit more sense. Then, last question on the Eucharist.
A. Shoot.
Q. You guys hold the Mass to be a sacrifice of Christ. Correct?
A. Correct.
Q. In other words, the Mass is a re-enactment or repetition of Christ's sacrifice on the Cross -
A. Ummm... not re-
Q. Let me finish please!
A. Apologies!
Q. I was saying this is an OBVIOUS contradiction to the Scriptures which teach us that Christ died once for all and that by the one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. It does not state in the Word of God that the sacrifice of Christ must be repeated in order to forgive us of our sins or somehow help us to maintain our salvation by the infusion of grace. The fact that Christ died once and the sacrifice occurred once is proof that it is sufficient to cleanse us of our sins. We connect with the sacrifice of Christ by faith - not by a ceremony.
A. Allow me to answer a slightly different question with a quotation from one of my favourite theologians.
Q. Be my guest!
A. He writes: "Unlike the Jewish priests in the Old Covenant, Jesus doesn’t make daily offerings of distinct sacrificial victims (“Heb 7:27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself.” ).
On the other hand, as our High Priest, Jesus must have something to offer as a sacrifice on our behalf: “Heb 8:3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; hence it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer.” Does this mean that Jesus’ “once for all” sacrifice is exclusively past? On the contrary, it clearly implies that Jesus’ sacrifice, precisely because of its “once for all” character, has become the one perfect offering that he continually presents in heaven. In other words, it’s never-ending. That’s why the Church calls it a “perpetual” sacrifice. As one of my teachers put it: “How can you repeat that which never ends?”
…If Jesus’ offering has ceased, there would be no basis for his ongoing priesthood; but Jesus’ priesthood is said to be permanent and to “continue forever” (Heb 7:23-24 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.)"
In the Mass, we participate in this unceasing, perpetual, perfect sacrifice of Christ. Each Mass makes that eternal sacrifice in heaven present in time on earth.
Q. Wow! Thanks a lot for all the answers!
I think even though I largely still don't agree with the Catholic Church, at least I understand a lot more of what exactly she teaches - especially on the Eucharist. I know now without a doubt I've been very misinformed... And even though I am very reluctant to admit this, I have the feeling sooner rather than later, I will have to decide whether to accept these teachings and the explanations as true.
A. Not much I can add there... Prayers and best of luck!
16th April 2017