This week in the series on the Mass, I will speak about the Offertory also known as the Presentation of the Gifts. This is the moment the sacrificial offering is placed upon the altar. This is the part of the Mass which powerfully unites us more fully into the mystery of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. Bread made from only wheat and wine made from only grapes are brought to the altar and given to the priest. The priest offers this bread and wine to the Father. We realize that these gifts are first gifts from God to humanity. We in turn are only offering them back to him.
At this time during Mass it is appropriate for us to offer ourselves to God as well. Offering ourselves to God is the whole point of Jesus’ giving us the Mass. We must open our hearts up completely to our Father so that he can pour his grace into our hearts. We ought to offer him our blessings, our relationships, our struggles, and our trials. Imagine laying all of our blessings and trials in the paten and chalice which the priest offers to God. Just as the bread and wine are changed into Christ, so too can God change our blessings and trials into something which will bring about greater holiness within us and in those around us.
Therefore, let us be more internally active at this time of the Mass remembering that Jesus is calling us to a deeper relationship with him. He desires to know you and me on a very intimate level. This, however, can only be done if we offer ourselves to him just as he offers himself to us on Calvary.