IV About the excellence of our Sacrifice
IV
About the excellence of our Sacrifice
B. (3) Next, we must think of the excellence of our Sacrifice, the Body of Christ, which, in a threefold way, surpasses all the sacrifices of the law—that is, by, i. its beauty; ii. its dignity; iii. its goodness.
i. Now its beauty is proved by three things: 1, by the outward species; 2, by its virginal origin; 3, by its spiritual sweetness.
1. By no other kind of food could it be handled so sweetly, so beautifully, so reverently, as under the species of bread and wine. For thus there do not follow many inconveniences which were to be found in the blood-stained sacrifices of the law. Our dry morsel is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass under the clean species of bread and wine.
2. Without corruption it took its beginning from a virginal flower. The flowers of modesty and virginity grew into fruit that was most glorious and beautiful. St. Augustin says, ‘The greatness of the Mother comes from the Godhead of her Son, and the greatness of the Son comes from the virginity of His Mother.’ Enlightened by faith, we see Jesus, the King, wearing His Mother’s crown, that is, living in our assumed flesh, which He took from a virgin.
3. With a great sweetness of love this Holy Sacrifice draws the souls of the faithful to itself. What is so full of sweetness as this Sacrifice of our Lord’s Body? There is a fragrance from the precious works of His Godhead and manhood. Hence all who truly believe hasten often and lovingly to the church to see this Sacrifice and to adore it. Here is their hope of grace and devotion.
ii. Its great dignity is proved by three very precious things of which it consists: a, the most pure Flesh of Christ; b, His most just Soul; c, His most glorious Godhead. These three things, perfected in our Sacrifice, were figured in the Paschal lamb. For, a, the feet signify His Flesh; b, the purtenance signifies His Soul; c, the head signifies His Divinity. Thus in Jesus there are a Body and a Soul and the Godhead; for which reason it is said, ‘Hail, Salvation of the world; perfect God, and true man of flesh and soul.’
Through the greatness of this dignity, our Sacrifice, above all others, has a triple prerogative: 1, it is in itself acceptable to God; 2, it is revered by Angels; 3, it is adored by men. The first is because of His just Soul; the second is because of His unstained Flesh; the third because of His supreme Godhead.
1. This Sacrifice is pleasing to God because the Father accepts the offered Body of our Lord. In that Body He greatly humbled Himself, even unto death, obeying the Father, triumphing over the devil, redeeming the race of men.
2. St. Leo says, ‘The eagles that gather round the Body of Jesus are those that fly on spiritual wings, that is the holy Angels, pure spirits, lovers of cleanness of heart, adoring the unspotted Body of our Lord, and protecting the faithful who are present.’ St. Gregory says, ‘Who of the faithful can doubt that in the hour of that Sacrifice the heavens are opened, that in this mystery of Christ are present the choirs of the Angels, and that here the highest and the lowest are joined together?’
3. The footstool of God signifies the Flesh of Christ, for by origin it is taken from the ground. This we must adore, because it is holy in that it is united to God. St. Augustin says, ‘You must know that in Christ that which is lower, I mean His Flesh, is rightly adored. For he who adores the earth does not regard the earth, but rather Him whose footstool it is, for whose sake he adores.’ Again he says, ‘The heretics ask us, How is it that you adore with the Godhead that Flesh which you allow to be a created thing, and worship that no less than God? I answer, I adore the Flesh of my Lord—that is, His perfect manhood—because it has been assumed by the Godhead, and is joined to the Godhead in unity of person. If you separate the man from God, I do not believe in Him nor serve Him.… In Christ, taking the manhood, not alone nor naked, but joined to the Godhead, that is, the one Son of God, true God and true man; if any one contemptuously refuse to adore this he shall die eternally.’
iii. Next there is its virtue, that is, the effect of its goodness. For it has a threefold good effect in the threefold state of the faithful: 1, in the world; 2, in Purgatory; 3, in Heaven. In the first it forgives sin; in the second it lightens bitter pain; and in the third it pours forth great joy. For this reason Masses are said for three ends: 1, the good of the living; 2, to gain rest for the dead; 3, the glory of the Blessed. For this reason also the Host is broken into three parts, that the power of the Sacrifice of Jesus may be shown in this threefold state.
1. St. Gregory says, ‘Our Lord has given us this Sacrament of salvation, that, as we daily sin, and He cannot die for us any more, by this Sacrament we may obtain forgiveness.’
2. The Flesh and Blood of Christ are rightly offered for the souls of the dead, that they may be freed from the purgatorial pain by which they have been bound for the remainder of their penance. St. Augustin says, ‘By the prayers and alms of the Holy Church, and by the healing Sacrifice, the souls of the dead are without doubt helped, so that God deals more mercifully with them than their sins in this world have deserved.’
3. In the sacrifices they had to eat the breast. This, being the best part of the animal and the sweetest, signifies the sweetness of the Body of Christ. But it had to be eaten in a most clean place, and this signifies the delight that it gives to the Blessed in Heaven; for they have very great gladness, and rejoice together because of this Sacrifice in their remembrance of the Redeemer, in their sight of our salvation, and in their admiration of the goodness of God. Certainly, at any rate, it is eaten in a most clean place, because the sweetness of the Body of our Lord, with which we are fed here, as it is veiled in the Holy Sacrament, is enjoyed by them in Heaven with open face. That is the manifestation of God. Now Jesus is the hidden manna; but He promises to give us Himself unveiled in the clearness of the heavenly light. In that vision is the fulness of joy for evermore, and there also is the fruition of every good.
The Voice of the Holy Ghost
i. About the beauty of our Sacrifice; 1. The outward species; Better is a dry morsel with joy than a house full of victims with strife. Prov. 17:1.
What is the good thing of Him, and what is His beautiful thing, but the corn of the elect and wine springing forth virgins? Zach. 9:17.
2. Its virginal origin; As the vine I have given a pleasant odour; and My flowers are the fruit of honour and riches. Ecclus. 24:23.
Go forth, ye daughters of Sion, and see King Solomon in the diadem wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the joy of his heart. Cantic. 3:11.
3. Its spiritual sweetness; The memory of Josias is like the composition of a sweet smell made by the art of a perfumer. Ecclus. 49:1.
Smelling sweet of the best ointment, thy name is as oil poured out. Cantic. 1:2.
ii. The dignity of our Sacrifice; On the tenth day of this month let every man take a lamb by their families and houses.… It shall be a lamb without blemish.… They shall eat the flesh that night roasted with fire.… You shall eat the head with the feet and the purtenance thereof. Ex. 12:3, 5, 8, 9.
1. The Soul of Jesus; They shall offer sacrifices to the Lord in justice. Mal. 3:3.
The sacrifice of the just is acceptable, and the Lord will not forget the memorial thereof. Ecclus. 35:9.
2. The Flesh of Jesus; Wheresoever the body shall be, there shall the eagles also be gathered together. St. Matt. 24:28.
3. The Godhead of Jesus; Exalt ye the Lord our God, and adore His footstool, for it is holy. Ps. 98:5.
Thus saith the Lord, Heaven is My throne and the earth My footstool. Is. 66:1.
iii. The goodness of our Sacrifice; 1. The faithful in the world; If any one shall sin through mistake … he shall offer for his offence a ram without blemish. Lev. 5:15.
2. In Purgatory; Because the life of the flesh is in the blood, I have given it to you, that you may make atonement with it on the altar for your souls. Lev. 17:11.
3. In Heaven; The breast that is offered … you shall eat in a most clean place, thou and thy sons and thy daughters with thee. Lev. 10:14.
He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches, To him that overcometh I will give the hidden manna. Apoc. 2:17.
Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; Thou shalt fill me with joy with Thy countenance; at Thy right hand are delights even to the end. Ps. 15:10.
But as for me, I will appear before Thy sight in justice; I shall be satisfied when Thy glory shall appear. Ps. 16:15.
Prayer
In the light of the Tabernacle I ask Thee, O Holy Ghost, to fill my heart with pure desire for Jesus, the Living Bread. Give me grace to adore Him with the holy Angels, that His will may be done on earth as it is in Heaven, and that His will may be done in my soul. Help me to thank Him for all His gifts, and most of all for Himself. By this Holy Sacrament He strengthens souls on earth, and gives rest to souls in Purgatory, and gladdens souls in Heaven. He is the hidden Manna, promised by Himself to all who overcome. Thy grace will bring me in safety to God. May I eat this Bread of life in a most clean place! May I taste the sweetness of Jesus! May my soul be kept by Thee very bright for the coming of my Spouse!