Is the Catholic Mass the same thing as what Jesus meant when He gave us the Lord’s Supper?
– Angela, Philippines

Thank you for your heartfelt question, Angela.

Let’s examine what Scripture truly reveals.

The Roman Catholic Mass is often understood as a continual offering of the body and blood of Christ, a sacrifice that is repeated daily. However, the Bible teaches that Jesus offered Himself once and for all. His sacrifice is complete and never to be repeated.

Hebrews 10:10–12 — “And in accordance with this will [of God], we [who believe in the message of salvation] have been sanctified [that is, set apart as holy for God and His purposes] through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ [the Messiah, the Anointed] once for all. Every priest stands at his altar of service, ministering daily, offering the same sacrifices over and over, which are never able to strip away sins completely. But He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down [signifying the completion of atonement for sin] at the right hand of God.” (Amplified)

The original Lord’s Supper, instituted by Jesus, was not a re-sacrifice, but a remembrance of His once-for-all death.

Luke 22:19 — “And when He had taken bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’” (Amplified)

The Greek word for “remembrance” is “anamnesis” (ἀνάμνησις), meaning a memorial or calling to mind. It’s not a repetition of the event, but a heartfelt reflection on a completed reality.

The danger of turning the Lord’s Supper into a continual sacrifice is that it undermines the finality of Christ’s work on the Cross. We are not called to offer Christ again, but to remember, believe, and partake of His finished work in faith.

1 Corinthians 11:26 — “For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are symbolically proclaiming the fact of the Lord’s death until He comes [again].” (Amplified)

The early Church broke bread in simplicity and reverence, not as part of a priestly system but in fellowship with the risen Lord. The focus was not on an altar but on a table, a place of intimacy, family, and remembrance.

We love and honour our Roman Catholic friends, but we must uphold the clarity of the gospel: Jesus is not being sacrificed repeatedly. He died once, and He lives forever. The Lord’s Table is a place of rest, not ritual.

In Christ,

Shaliach.

If you’d like to know more or ask a personal question, feel free to write to me at:
📧 apostolicwisdomhouse @ gmail . com