~J.M.J.~
Among the Twelve Tribes of Israel, the sons of the Levites were chosen to be priests, as seen in Exodus 19:6. Their duty was to offer animal sacrifice to God upon the altar in what is known as "Holocaust". Along with these Holocausts, prayers are offered. Yet, these animal sacrifices were imperfect. Thus, the Father sent His Only-Begotten Son to be the Perfect Sacrifice.
Therefore, the duty of the Catholic priest is similar to that of the Jewish priest: to offer sacrifice to God upon the altar. However, this time, the sacrifice offered is not an animal, but the Perfect Sacrifice - Christ Himself. This is the celebration we call "Holy Mass". We learn that at Mass, bread and wine are transformed into the True Body and True Blood of the Lord, and Calvary is made present on the altar. While the crucified Christ is upon the altar, the most important prayers are said, which include prayers for the Church on Earth, the Church in Purgatory, with the Church in Heaven. This culminates in the Per Ipsum, where the priest raises the Host (another word for Sacrifice) towards Heaven, and exhorts, "Through Him, with Him, and in Him, O God Almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is Yours, forever and ever." At this action, the angels bear the Perfect Sacrifice, and the prayers offered along with It, to the Heavenly Father.
Therefore, it is fitting that we join in to the Sacrifice our most important prayers, right after the Mystery of Faith, while the priest says his designated prayers. And as we see the priest lifting the Host towards Heaven, remember that our prayers, too, are offered with It, and therefore affirm the Per Ipsum with a sincere "Amen."
Therefore, the duty of the Catholic priest is similar to that of the Jewish priest: to offer sacrifice to God upon the altar. However, this time, the sacrifice offered is not an animal, but the Perfect Sacrifice - Christ Himself. This is the celebration we call "Holy Mass". We learn that at Mass, bread and wine are transformed into the True Body and True Blood of the Lord, and Calvary is made present on the altar. While the crucified Christ is upon the altar, the most important prayers are said, which include prayers for the Church on Earth, the Church in Purgatory, with the Church in Heaven. This culminates in the Per Ipsum, where the priest raises the Host (another word for Sacrifice) towards Heaven, and exhorts, "Through Him, with Him, and in Him, O God Almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is Yours, forever and ever." At this action, the angels bear the Perfect Sacrifice, and the prayers offered along with It, to the Heavenly Father.
Therefore, it is fitting that we join in to the Sacrifice our most important prayers, right after the Mystery of Faith, while the priest says his designated prayers. And as we see the priest lifting the Host towards Heaven, remember that our prayers, too, are offered with It, and therefore affirm the Per Ipsum with a sincere "Amen."
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