What do you think of when you hear the word “Sacrifice” ? Could you say that you have ever

sacrificed anything ?

1. Write your own definition of sacrifice.

2. Mindmap sacrifices that you have heard about

The Sacrifice of the Mass

• To identify the reasons for offering sacrifice

• To explain why Jesus is the perfect Sacrifice

• To reflect on how the Church takes part in this Sacrifice

All religions have practiced sacrifice. Sometimes, they sacrificed some of their crops and fruit harvest. Sometimes they sacrificed live animals. Some religions even practiced human sacrifice.

Why do religions have sacrifice? What are they trying to do?

Why sacrifice to God?

1. If you’ve done something wrong

2. If you really want to give thanks for something

3. To show great honour to God, who is greater than anything.

4. To prove the strength of our love and dedication to God, no matter what.

Your sin caused pain to others, so a sacrifice is making up for it, by giving up something that is painful for you.

You recognise God’s greatness when you offer Him something that is of the greatest value to you: sacrifice means more than just giving.

If God gave you something of great value to you, you can show how grateful you are, by giving up something of value.

If we can sacrifice & give up things we love, we show we are willing to obey and follow God, no matter what.

1. Match the reasons for sacrifice with their explanations. 2. Have you ever sacrificed anything in one of these ways? Which one and how? **how was Jesus’s sacrifice of himself a perfect sacrifice?

When we celebrate Mass, we offer up Jesus in sacrifice to God again, because sacrificing Jesus is the best sacrifice we

can offer God.

Make up for our wrong

Show dedication to God

To Honour God

To say thanks to God

Jesus is the perfect sacrifice to…

1. Draw the triangle2. What is the Mass all about doing?3. Why is Jesus the best thing we can offer God? Explain 2

reasons. **It is said that Mass is the most perfect form of worshipping

God, that you can be part of. Why is that?

Jesus is the only pure and sinless offering, who was completely obedient to God

Jesus wanted to offer himself up for us – he is a willing victim

God wanted Jesus to sacrifice himself for our sake

Jesus is the Son of God – we are sacrificing to God something of great value

How can we help Jesus in his sacrifice? What can we do?

Christians try to help Jesus, by making sacrifices to God in their own lives. Which ones would God be pleased with?

The Church Sacrifices Jesus to Godwhen the priest says Jesus’ words “This is my body given for you”

Draw a picture of the priest offering up Jesus to God, in the Eucharist.

Mindmap around it what we can do to help Jesus in his sacrifice for us.