Now every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices;
thus the necessity for this one also to have something to offer.
We read in Chapter 7 of the Letter to the Hebrews what that sacrifice was, "he offered up himself" (see Hebrews 7:27).
Jesus was not subject to the human weakness that affected those who were priests under the law, whose sacrifices were never sufficient. Sinners needed to offer sacrifice as a reminder of the great gulf that existed between themselves and God. As the author will go on to explain, if the sacrifices had been able to actually perfect anyone they would have ceased. Instead, "in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins" (see Hebrews 10:3-4).
Jesus, because he was "holy, innocent, [and] undefiled" was able to make an offering that could actually perfect the people for whom it was offered. The former offerings were copies and shadows. They served not only to remind the people of sin but to stir their hearts with hope for a sacrifice which could finally atone, a life which could final bring healing and perfection to the people.
The perfect sacrifice of Jesus was offered once for all, but he still sits at "the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in Heaven, a minister of the sanctuary of the true tabernacle that the Lord, not man, set up". From there he still has "something to offer". He still presents this one offering to the Father so that the its blessings can be unleashed in all times and places, from the rising of the sun to its setting. It is this reality, Jesus, in his glorified humanity, offering himself to the Father, that is made present in each mass. It is nothing other than the sacrifice of the cross, once for all and yet ongoing. It was once a bloody offering, but in the mass it is in this bloodless aspect that it is made present again and again.
This may sound a little too abstract. But it is important that we understand how great it is that we have this mediator of a better covenant constantly offering himself for our sakes in heaven. If we believe it we begin to let our hope in it mark our own actions. We are able to entrust ourselves and the world into his hands for perfecting rather than trying to do it ourselves. He was separated from sinners, but he joins himself to the redeemed so that we too, in some small way become part of the offering, somehow ourselves becoming an offering acceptable to the Father.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship (see Romans 12:1).
The offering begins with Jesus himself, but it incorporates all who will receive his healing touch. Until he comes to us we are like those with diseases and unclean spirits, unable to live lives that fully glorify God, not free to offer ourselves entirely. And so we draw near to him. Yet he must remain the center. We cannot simply press in on him and crush him because we are so intent on our own desires. His word itself can be enough to transform us (see Matthew 8:8). The unclean spirits knew that Jesus was the Son of God. But only to us does Jesus reveal what that really means. By his Spirit, as living offerings, we are free to proclaim it (see First Corinthians 12:3).
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