The great theologian, Maurice de la Taille, wrote a monumental work of scholarship Mysterium Fidei of which I was fortunate indeed to acquire a copy recently from the library of a deceased priest.He spoke particularly of the relationship between the Last Supper, the crucifixion, and the offering of the Mass. If I remember correctly, he spoke of:
- oblatio victimae immolandae
(the offering of the victim to be immolated - the Last Supper) - immolatio victimae oblatae
(the immolation of the victim that had been offered - the crucifixion) - oblatio victimae immolatae
(the offering of the victim that had been immolated - the Mass)
On Good Friday, we commemorate the immolation of the victim who had offered by offering himself. "It is consummated" - the sacrifice is complete and there will never again need to be another new sacrifice. Christ has offered himself finally, definitively, effectively, for the redemption of the human race.
At the Easter Vigil, we once again offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass: one and the same as the sacrifice of Calvary. The victim who has been slain for our salvation is offered on our altar by the Church through the ministry of the priest and he "lives for ever to intercede for us," truly God and truly man, the one and perfect Mediator.
Throughout the year, these mysteries are celebrated and made present in the Liturgy. During the Triduum, we ponder them at greater depth over three days, savouring their meaning more fully, and genuinely taking part by offering our own lives in union with the Divine Victim.
6 comments:
Good to see De La Taille's 'Mysterium Fidei' mentioned here, Father. Coincidentally, I just discovered this great work a couple of weeks ago and managed to get the 2 volumes reasonably cheaply from the US.
Abbot Vonier's 'Key to the Doctrine of the Eucharist' was a simultaneous find. (It's been recently re-published with an Introduction by Aidan Nichols, who seems to suggest that, without mentioning de La Taille by name, Vonier takes issue with him).
Over the next few weeks I shall enjoy being absorbed in these two great works as I'm looking at the relationship between the events of the Last Supper and Calvary in terms of the Eucharistic Sacrifice. It will be good to see what these two great writers have to say.
Thanks a lot for this entry. Whenever I reflect the mystery of faith I am lead to this dimension of the Eucharist. Self-gift is key aspect of Christianity. I remember the Islandic Writer Gunnarsson said in one of his book: "Was not all life a sacrifice - if lived in the right manner? Isn't that what the riddle is about - that the power of growth comes from within, is self-abnegation? And that all life which is not a sacrifice is deplorable and ends in destruction?"
This is my first participation in The Triduum for one reason or another(some more worthy than others!)
Augustinus - yes, Vonier certainly took issue with De La Taille and the argument still rages...
There are some remarkable insights into the meaning of sacrifice at the Last Supper, on Calvary and in the mass in The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass by Michael McGuckian SJ, Hillenbrand Books / Gracewing (2005). It is well worth a read.
Many thanks, Father. I'll get that book.
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