GROW IN FAITH 24 – The Sacrifice of the Mass

One Sacrifice, Made Present

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus,
You gave Your life for us.
Help us understand the gift of Your sacrifice.
Teach us to unite our lives
to Yours at Mass.
Amen.

Part One

The Cross

At the centre of the Christian faith
is the Cross.

Jesus freely gave His life
for the salvation of the world.

The Bible says:

“Christ died for our sins.”

His sacrifice happened once in history.

It was complete.
It was perfect.
It does not need to be repeated.

But at Mass,
that one sacrifice is made present to us.

The Mass is not a new sacrifice.

It is the same sacrifice of Calvary,
made present in a sacramental way.

Scripture

“Christ died for our sins.”
(1 Corinthians 15:3)

Think and Discuss

Why did Jesus offer His life freely?

What does sacrifice mean?

Why do you think the Cross is placed in churches?

How is the Mass connected to Good Friday?

Allow thoughtful answers.

Part Two

What Happens at the Altar

At the altar,
the priest speaks the words of Christ.

Bread and wine become
His Body and Blood.

Under these signs,
the sacrifice of the Cross
is made present.

We are not watching something far away.

We are brought into it.

At Mass, we can unite:

Our prayers.
Our struggles.
Our joys.
Our work.

to Christ’s offering.

When the priest says,
“Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours
may be acceptable,”
he means that we also offer something.

We offer our lives.

Guidance for Adults

Emphasise participation, not observation.
Children understand sacrifice when connected to small daily acts of love and self-giving.

Part Three

Offering Ourselves

Sacrifice is not only something Jesus did.

It is something we join.

We can offer:

Patience when we are tired.
Kindness when it is difficult.
Forgiveness when it costs us.
Faithfulness in small duties.

At Mass,
we place these on the altar with Christ.

His perfect sacrifice
makes our small sacrifices meaningful.

This is why the Mass is powerful.

It unites heaven and earth.

It joins our lives
to the saving love of Jesus.

The Cross is not only something we remember.

It is something we enter into.

Quiet Reflection

Sit quietly for a moment.

Think of one small difficulty in your life.

Now imagine placing it on the altar
with Christ’s sacrifice.

Say quietly:

“Lord, I offer this to You.”

Remain in silence together.

Practise This Week

Choose one:

• At Mass, consciously offer one intention.
• When something is difficult, say, “I offer this to You.”
• Notice the words, “my sacrifice and yours,” during Mass.
• Make the Sign of the Cross slowly and thoughtfully.

Choose one and keep it steady.

Optional Response

Choose one:

Memory
Repeat slowly:
“Christ died for our sins.”
Say it three times thoughtfully.

Action
Stand quietly and bow your head.
Say: “I unite my life to Yours.”

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your sacrifice on the Cross.
Help us unite our lives to Yours at Mass.
Teach us to offer ourselves with love
and trust.
Amen.