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Reply. It is affirmed on the authority of St. Paul's texts quoted
in this article.[1557]
Theological proof. St. Thomas shows that Christ by His death
merited grace for us whereby sin is blotted out, and He fully
satisfied for the punishments that are due to sin. Hence the effect of
Christ's priesthood is the expiation of sins as regards both guilt and
punishment. "He hath borne our infirmities and carried our
sorrows."[1558]
Reply to second objection. "The sacrifice which is offered every day
in the Church is not distinct from that which Christ Himself
offered, but is a commemoration thereof." It is substantially the
same sacrifice, inasmuch as it is the one identical victim, the one
identical principal priest; but the manner of offering is different;
for now Christ's sacrifice is not bloody, but unbloody and
sacramental. Moreover, Christ does not now either merit or
sorrowfully satisfy for us, but the fruits of His past merits and
satisfactions are applied to us.[1559]
Reply to third objection. The paschal lamb was one of the principal
figurative victims of the Old Testament; hence St. John the
Baptist said of Christ: "Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who
taketh away the sin of the world."[1560]
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