Among many Christian groups, sacrifice is equated merely with worship. Now, there is absolutely no doubt that sacrifice and worship are connected. For instance, the Letter to the Hebrews says:
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
The Didache continues the theme of the idea of a sacrifice of praise saying:
But on the Lord’s day, after that ye have assembled together, break bread and give thanks, having in addition confessed your sins, that your sacrifice may be pure. But let not any one who hath a quarrel with his companion join with you, until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be polluted, for it is that which is spoken of by the Lord. In every place and time offer unto me a pure sacrifice, for I am a great King, saith the Lord, and my name is wonderful among the Gentiles” (Didache, chapter 14).
Saint Irenaeus of Lyons says:
He took from among creation that which is bread, and gave thanks, saying, “This is my body.” The cup likewise, which is from among the creation to which we belong, he confessed to be his blood. He taught the new sacrifice of the new covenant, of which Malachi, one of the twelve [minor] prophets, had signified beforehand: “You do not do my will, says the Lord Almighty, and I will no accept a sacrifice at your hands. For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name is glorified among the Gentiles, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure sacrifice; for great is my name among the Gentiles, says the Lord Almighty” [Mal. 1:10-11]. By these words he makes it plain that the former people will cease to make offerings to God but that in every place sacrifice will be offered to him, and indeed, a pure one, for his name is glorified among the Gentiles (Against Heresies 4:17:5)
When we are in the Divine Liturgy, we are offering our sacrifice of praise and we are joining ourselves to Our Lord’s sacrifice, the “pure one” as Saint Irenaeus says. In that sense, there is no doubt that everything that we are and everything that we do is offered to God on the altar in the Divine Liturgy, while at the same time Our Lord is offering himself to us, giving us his very Body and Blood. There is a prayer that the priest prays right before the recitation of the Creed and right after the Prayer of the Faithful. In it the priest prays:
Lord God Almighty, who alone are holy, accepting a sacrifice of praise from those who call upon You with their whole heart, accept also the prayer of us sinners and let it reach Your holy altar. Enable us to bring before You gifts and spiritual sacrifices for our sins and for the failings of the people. Make us worthy to find favor with You, so that our sacrifice may be pleasing to You, and that the good Spirit of Your Grace may come upon us, upon these gifts here presented, and upon all Your people. Through the mercies of Your only-begotten Son, with Whom You are blessed, together with Your all-holy, good and lifegiving Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.
But notice two things. One is that we are bringing gifts and spiritual sacrifices. The other is that the Holy Spirit is being invoked in order to come and change not only “these gifts here presented,” but also to change, “us . . . and . . . all Your people.” There are both the sacrifices that we are bringing, and the one sacrifice that Our Lord is giving to us. That is quite a busy altar at the Divine Liturgy! The theme of our sacrifices is found throughout the Anaphora in various of the prayers the priest prays right alongside the theme of His sacrifice:
“Again we offer You this spiritual worship for those who have gone to their rest in the Faith. … Further, we offer You this spiritual worship for the whole world … Grant them Lord, to govern in peace, that we, too, in their tranquility, may live calmly and serenely, in all piety and virtue. … Remember, Lord, those who toil and do good works in Your holy churches, who are mindful of the poor, and upon us all send down Your mercy. … We commend to You, loving Master, our whole life and hope [Ed. note: this is sacrifice type wording, see Romans 12:1] …
So, what are these spiritual sacrifices that we are bringing? Well, the writers of the New Testament had some strong opinions about that, as did the Church Fathers.
===MORE TO COME===
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