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Objection 1: It would seem that men are not bound by precept to make
oblations. Men are not bound, at the time of the Gospel, to observe
the ceremonial precepts of the Old Law, as stated above (FS,
Question 103, Articles 3,4). Now the offering of oblations
is one of the ceremonial precepts of the Old Law, since it is written
(Ex. 23:14): "Three times every year you shall celebrate
feasts with Me," and further on (Ex. 23:15): "Thou shalt
not appear empty before Me." Therefore men are not now under a
necessity of precept to make oblations.
Objection 2: Further, before they are made, oblations depend on
man's will, as appears from our Lord's saying (Mt. 5:23),
"If . . . thou offer thy gift at the altar," as though this were
left to the choice of the offerer: and when once oblations have been
made, there is no way of offering them again. Therefore in no way is
a man under a necessity of precept to make oblations.
Objection 3: Further, if anyone is bound to give a certain thing to
the Church, and fails to give it, he can be compelled to do so by
being deprived of the Church's sacraments. But it would seem
unlawful to refuse the sacraments of the Church to those who refuse to
make oblations according to a decree of the sixth council [Can.
Trullan, xxiii], quoted I, qu. i, can. Nullus: "Let none
who dispense Holy Communion exact anything of the recipient, and if
they exact anything let them be deposed." Therefore it is not
necessary that men should make oblations.
On the contrary, Gregory says [Gregory VII; Concil. Roman.
v, can. xii]: "Let every Christian take care that he offer
something to God at the celebration of Mass."
I answer that, As stated above (Question 85, Article 3, ad
3), the term "oblation" is common to all things offered for the
Divine worship, so that if a thing be offered to be destroyed in
worship of God, as though it were being made into something holy, it
is both an oblation and a sacrifice. Wherefore it is written (Ex.
29:18): "Thou shalt offer the whole ram for a burnt-offering
upon the altar; it is an oblation to the Lord, a most sweet savor of
the victim of the Lord"; and (Lev. 2:1): "When anyone shall
offer an oblation of sacrifice to the Lord, his offering shall be of
fine flour." If, on the other hand, it be offered with a view to
its remaining entire and being deputed to the worship of God or to the
use of His ministers, it will be an oblation and not a sacrifice.
Accordingly it is essential to oblations of this kind that they be
offered voluntarily, according to Ex. 25:2, of "every man that
offereth of his own accord you shall take them." Nevertheless it may
happen in four ways that one is bound to make oblations. First, on
account of a previous agreement: as when a person is granted a portion
of Church land, that he may make certain oblations at fixed times,
although this has the character of rent. Secondly, by reason of a
previous assignment or promise; as when a man offers a gift among the
living, or by will bequeaths to the Church something whether movable
or immovable to be delivered at some future time. Thirdly, on account
of the need of the Church, for instance if her ministers were without
means of support. Fourthly, on account of custom; for the faithful
are bound at certain solemn feasts to make certain customary oblations.
In the last two cases, however, the oblation remains voluntary, as
regards, to wit, the quantity or kind of the thing offered.
Reply to Objection 1: Under the New Law men are not bound to make
oblations on account of legal solemnities, as stated in Exodus, but
on account of certain other reasons, as stated above.
Reply to Objection 2: Some are bound to make oblations, both
before making them, as in the first, third, and. fourth cases, and
after they have made them by assignment or promise: for they are bound
to offer in reality that which has been already offered to the Church
by way of assignment.
Reply to Objection 3: Those who do not make the oblations they are
bound to make may be punished by being deprived of the sacraments, not
by the priest himself to whom the oblations should be made, lest he
seem to exact, something for bestowing the sacraments, but by someone
superior to him.
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