It took me a few times of going to Mass before I started to know what to expect. In this homily I talk about the Preparation of the Gifts at Mass and my own experience of it as I grew in the faith.
Readings: 2 KGS 4:42-44; PS
145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18; EPH 4:1-6; JN 6:1-15
Gifts of Bread and Wine prepared for Mass
This homily was the 6th in the series. Click on the links below for the other homilies.
June 10th, 2018 - 10th Sunday of OT - When I Returned to Mass in College - Mass Series #3
July 1st, 2018 - 13th Sunday of OT - The Beginning of Mass - Mass Series #4
July 22, 2018 - 16th Sunday of OT - Big Picture View of the Parts of the Mass - Mass Series #5
The information below is not the homily, but is a related bulletin article.
July 22, 2018 - 16th Sunday of OT - Big Picture View of the Parts of the Mass - Mass Series #5
The information below is not the homily, but is a related bulletin article.
Preparation of the Gifts (On Sundays)
At
the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the altar is being set with the
sacred linens and vessels by the priest or deacon, assisted by the
servers. As the altar is prepared in the
sanctuary for the gifts of bread and wine, we are to prepare the altar of our
hearts for our spiritual offering.
Also,
during this time there is a collection taken up, where we give a portion of our
possessions representing the gift of our whole selves to God. Offering a portion of one’s own possessions to
God is seen throughout Sacred Scripture such as by Abel the Just, Abraham our
father in faith, and the high priest Melchizedek.
A
monetary donation during the collection fulfills the symbolic gesture in
preparation for making the spiritual gift of oneself and Christ within us to
God the Father during the Eucharistic Prayer.
Monetary donations also indicate and strengthen having God as our God and
not having money as our god. Lastly,
they are used to cover the expenses of the parish enabling us to come together
and worship God.
Bread,
wine, and the collection are brought in procession by members of the
congregation to the priest. They
represent all of the faithful, and the gifts they bring represent all that we
are offering to God at this Mass. Giving
the gifts to the priest represent the request of the people for the priest to
offer all of these things to God on behalf of all of us.
The
priest and deacon (if present) pray certain prayers quietly as the offertory
hymn is sung. Then, the priest washes
his hands asking God to cleanse him of his sins.
The
priest asks the people to pray “that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable
to God, the almighty Father.” The people
respond, with prayer asking that God accept the sacrifice and listing the
reasons for the sacrifice: for His glory, for us, and for the Church.
The
Preparation of the Gifts conclude with the Prayer Over the Offerings, which
like the Collect, is specific for the celebration of the day.
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