The offertory prayer, also known as the prayer over the gifts, is a significant part of the Mass that comes after the homily and the Creed, and before the Eucharistic Prayer. It's a time for reflection and preparation for the most sacred part of the Mass, the consecration. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
* Offering of Gifts: The offertory begins with the presentation of the bread and wine, which symbolize our gifts to God. Historically, this was a time when people would bring forward their own offerings of bread, wine, and other goods to support the Church and the poor. While that practice has largely evolved, the gesture of bringing forward the bread and wine retains its symbolic value.
* Symbolism of Our Lives: The bread and wine represent more than just physical gifts. They also symbolize our own lives, our work, our joys, and our sorrows. By offering them to God, we are entrusting our entire selves to Him. We are asking Him to take our ordinary lives and transform them into something extraordinary, something that can be used for His glory.
* Preparation for Consecration: The offertory is a crucial preparation for the consecration. The priest prays that God will accept these gifts and transform them into the Body and Blood of Christ. This prayer acknowledges that the bread and wine are not simply bread and wine anymore, but are destined for something much greater.
* Union with Christ's Sacrifice: The prayers during the offertory often emphasize our desire to be united with Christ's sacrifice on the cross. Just as Christ offered Himself to the Father for the salvation of the world, we offer ourselves in union with Him. We ask God to accept our offering and use it for the good of others.
* Purification and Transformation: There is often a prayer for purification and transformation during the offertory. The priest may pray that God will cleanse us of our sins and transform us into the image of Christ. This prayer recognizes that we are not worthy to receive God's grace, but we trust in His mercy to make us worthy.
In summary, the offertory prayer is a time to offer our gifts, our lives, and our very selves to God. It is a preparation for the consecration, and a recognition of our desire to be united with Christ's sacrifice. It is a prayer for purification, transformation, and ultimately, for salvation.