The Mass is based very much on Jewish tradition; where there are predominately two parts; a section where different readings from the Word of God [Bible] are read aloud to the participants, and then a memorial part where the sacrifice of Jesus is remembered in a mystical way and the last supper is re-enacted. This is when Jesus celebrated Passover with his apostles, broke the unleavened Bread and said, “ This is my body. Do this in memorial of me. ”

The Jewish understanding of memorial is important because it is that same understanding that is employed by Jesus and His Church.

Basically, at Jewish Passover [Cedar], where the father of the family recounts and tells the story of how God saved his people when they were able to pass out of Egypt; they believe that that same grace that afforded their forefathers to be saved from evil is granted them right now as they celebrate Passover in their homes. They enter into that same covenant right there and receive the same graces of that Old Covenant right there; it is renewed, even though it happened many thousands of years ago. The same understanding happened with the Todah, sacrifice of thanks-giving, that Jewish men could offer in the Temple.

It is the same with the sacrifice of Jesus at the Mass.

At the Mass, the Church believes that the sacrifice of Christ is present on the alter as the Priest celebrates the second part of the Eucharist. The sacrifice that happened on Calvary two thousand years ago is made present in a mystical way on the alter, so that those present at the Mass may share in the graces of Salvation. The sacrifice is perpetuated spiritually at the Mass and the Father is reminded of the gift of his Son to his Church and Humanity.

[It is important to point out for clarity that the Church does not believe that it is re-sacrificing Jesus, but is perpetuating the sacrifice of Christ on Calvary and it’s graces. The sacrifice stands for all time, but it is out of space and time and can be called into our world on the alter at each Mass].

It is made present in a mystical way on the alter to renew and perpetuate the New Covenant that God has made with his people in the Blood of Jesus.

Now along with this, is the belief in the true presence of Jesus; body, blood, soul and divinity [basically, the human and divine Jesus] in the bread and wine on the alter at the Mass.

As the last supper is re-enacted and the consecration takes place, the bread and wine are miraculously transformed into Jesus [this is called the transubstantiation], but retains the appearance of bread and wine. This becomes spiritual food for the participants and is a reflection and mirror of the Manna that the Jewish people received in the desert as Bread from Heaven that existed with the Old Covenant.

But it is also a mirror of the original fruit of the Tree of Life. The new Bread of Heaven is the new fruit that flows from the new Tree of Life, the Cross.

Then the Risen Jesus, who is on the alter in the form of bread and wine, is offered to the Father by the Priest in memorial of his Calvary sacrifice. In this way, the Mass is the memorial of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus.

And as a believer, to receive the Eucharist is the 'source and summit' of the Christian life where as Catholics, all our strength and love originates. It strengthens the will to continue in running the race for Jesus and elevates our souls to Eternal Life. It is extremely painful to see many who call themselves Catholic either not believe in this Truth or not even frequent this source of Eternal Life.

What is outlined above is a very brief explanation of some of the important aspects of the Mass [but it is not a complete theological discourse].

This True Presence of Jesus in the bread and wine is one of the fundamental corner stones of the Catholic faith and a major difference between many of the Christian religions that has been intensely debated for hundreds of years.

See below for even more information on the Mass.