281. In what way does the Church participate in the eucharistic sacrifice? (part 1)
(Comp 281) In the Eucharist the
sacrifice of Christ becomes also the sacrifice of the members of his Body. The
lives of the faithful, their praise, their suffering, their prayers, their
work, are united to those of Christ. In as much as it is a sacrifice, the
Eucharist is likewise offered for all the faithful, living and dead, in
reparation for the sins of all and to obtain spiritual and temporal benefits
from God. The Church in heaven is also united to the offering of Christ.
“In
brief”
(CCC 1414)
As sacrifice, the Eucharist is also offered in reparation for the sins of the
living and the dead and to obtain spiritual or temporal benefits from God.
1414
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 1368) The Eucharist is also the sacrifice of the
Church. The Church which is the Body of Christ participates in the offering
of her Head. With him, she herself is offered whole and entire. She unites
herself to his intercession with the Father for all men. In the Eucharist the
sacrifice of Christ becomes also the sacrifice of the members of his Body. The
lives of the faithful, their praise, sufferings, prayer, and work, are united
with those of Christ and with his total offering, and so acquire a new value.
Christ's sacrifice present on the altar makes it possible for all generations
of Christians to be united with his offering. In the catacombs the Church is
often represented as a woman in prayer, arms outstretched in the praying
position. Like Christ who stretched out his arms on the cross, through him,
with him, and in him, she offers herself and intercedes for all men.
On
reflection
(CCC 1369) The whole Church is united with the offering
and intercession of Christ. Since he has the ministry of Peter in the
Church, the Pope is associated with
every celebration of the Eucharist, wherein he is named as the sign and servant
of the unity of the universal Church. The bishop
of the place is always responsible for the Eucharist, even when a priest presides; the bishop's name is
mentioned to signify his presidency over the particular Church, in the midst of
his presbyterium and with the assistance of deacons.
The community intercedes also for all ministers who, for it and with it, offer
the Eucharistic sacrifice: Let only that Eucharist be regarded as legitimate,
which is celebrated under [the presidency of] the bishop or him to whom he has
entrusted it (St. Ignatius of Antioch, Ad
Smyrn. 8:1; SCh 10, 138). Through the ministry of priests the spiritual
sacrifice of the faithful is completed in union with the sacrifice of Christ
the only Mediator, which in the Eucharist is offered through the priests' hands
in the name of the whole Church in an unbloody and sacramental manner until the
Lord himself comes (PO 2 § 4). [IT CONTINUES]
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