The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

""THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS. 363Jesus daily pleads our cause, in this divine oblation,before our heavenly Father. If any man sin," sayaSt. John, we have an Advocate with the Father,Jesus Christ the just; and He is the propitiationfor our sins; and not for ours only, but also forthose of the whole world." lAnd hence the Priest,whenever he offers up the holy sacrifice, recites thisprayer at the "offertory Receive, O : holy Father,almighty, eternal God, this immaculate victimwhich I, Thy unworthy servant, offer to Thee, myliving and true God, for my innumerable sins, offences, and negligences, for all here present, and forall the faithful living and dead, that itmay availine and them to life everlasting."Whenever, therefore, we assist at Mass, let usunite with Jesus Christ in imploring the mercy ofGod for our sins. Let us represent to ourselves theMass as another Calvary, which it is in reality.Like Mary,let us stand in spirit beneath the cross,and let our souls be pierced with grief for our transgressions. Let us acknowledge that our sins werethe cause of that agony, and of the shedding of thatprecious blood. Let us follow in mind and heart thatcrowd of weeping penitents who accompanied ourSaviour to Calvary, striking their breasts, and let us"say Spare, O :Lord, spare Thy Or let uspeople."repeat with the Publican this heartfelt "prayer O:God, be merciful to me a sinner." At the death ofJesus, the sun was darkened, the earth trembled,1 I. John ii. 1, 2.