In the past, we called this part of the Mass, the Offertory, because this was when our gifts were brought forward: bread and wine and the offering for the poor.  The deeper meaning of these gifts---we are giving ourselves to God to do what ever God wishes to do with them.  It’s a blank check that we are offering!  Like the Blessed Mother we ought to ponder the meaning of what we are doing.

   The real “offertory” takes place during our Eucharistic Prayer.  Part of this great prayer is remembering what Jesus did at the last supper in anticipation of calvary.  In the remembering, Christ’s perfect sacrifice is made present and we offer it to the Father.  So, if our gift-giving is not the offertory, what is it?

   It is the transition from Liturgy of the Word to the Liturgy of the Eucharist; from the scriptural table to the Eucharistic table.  Looking more closely at the dialogue between the priest and the people, we note that we are caught up in blessing.  The priest says, “Blessed are you Lord God of creation….” And we respond “Blessed be God forever!”   Our ancestors in the faith, the Jewish People based their spirituality in blessing rather than petition.  Jews speak 100 blessings each day to the Holy One that proclaim God’s faithful generosity.  We Catholics, however, think about blessing objects: food, house, water, etc.   How different our attitudes might be, if before asking God, we recalled God’s constant generosity?

   Our stance would begin in gratitude for what God has already done, ever mindful of God’s preemptive generosity in giving us life and all of creation.  Thus, we can understand this minor rite as moving us from petition to praise. Our blessing God as primordial gift-giver enables us to recognize God’s creation crying out for preservation and healing.  So, a second transition is from consumer to steward.

• There is a Longing
• Shepherd Me O God
• Let All Things Now Living