Eucharystia jako ofiara

Abstract

The Eucharist is an unusual gift, which Christ left for the Church. Theological reflection is still going on about its gist and importance and it doubtlessly belongs to the most difficult ones as its subject matter is a mystery. The paper presents a small but vital fragment of the instruction on the Eucharist, that is, it shows its sacrificial character. Since the Reformation Evangelical Christians have been afraid that calling mass a sacrifice contradicts the fact that accoring to the Holy Scriptures Jesus through His sacrifice on the Cross and His resurrection completed the redemption of mankind once and for all. Can therefore this sacrifice be repeated? The sacrificial character of mass was negated, which was the main reason why the Council of Trent in 1562 devoted its 23rd session to defending the sacrificial character of mass. In theology of the time there was a strong tendency towards seperating the two basic attitudes, teaching that on the one hand the Eucharist is a sacrament and on the other, a sacrifice. The fact that sacrifice and the sacrament were a true unity was overlooked.