Eucharistic Sacrifice

Luther-style: “I also want to concede that they [ministers, priests] may perform these sacrifices of thanksgiving for others, just as I can also thank God apart from the mass, for Christ and all his saints, yes, for all creatures. Therefore, the priest may think thus in his heart: “Behold, dear God, I am using and receiving this sacrament to your praise and thanks because you have made Christ and all his saints so glorious.’ For who does not know that we are in any case obligated to thank God for ourselves, for all people, for all creatures, as St. Paul teaches? For this reason I am indeed able to tolerate the fact that the priests gave thanks to God in the mass for us all, if they do not do this as something special and regard it as being something other than the lay sacrament, as if the layman could not and should not also receive or use the sacrament by expressing the same thanks. I will not tolerate the ‘superpriest’ ( den Sonderling ) in this common and universal sacrament. Much less will I tolerate that they should give thanks for others, that is, on behalf of others, so that when the priest gives thanks it would be as if I gave thanks, and I could give him money so that he would give thanks for me and in my place. No, I do not want to have such commercialism nor do I tolerate such bartering and dealing” ( Admonition Concerning the Sacrament ).

Note what Luther objects to in the Mass: First, that it elevates the priest to offer thanks in place of the laity (it denies the priesthood of the plebs); second, that it turns the gift of Eucharist into truck and barter.