The Offertory
ow we come to the second act in the drama with the Liturgy of the Table.
It is this
portion that follows Jesus’ command to his disciples to remember his last meal with them
each time they gather.
The second portion of the service is based on Jewish Fellowship
meals, particularly the Passover observance.
But this second half of the service is not communion
in and of itself.
It is the whole service, both acts of the drama, that make up the Eucharist.
This second act begins with the offertory.
Here we give back to God from the gifts God has
given us.
That is what is meant by the offertory sentence, “All things come of thee O Lord,
nd of thine own have we given thee.”
In the early centuries of the church, Christians brought
bread and wine with them.
What was needed in the service was consecrated for use, while
rest of the bread and wine was set aside for deacons to take to the poor in the area.
Today,
a portion of our offering continues to help people in need around our community and
around the world.
Our offering is the first of four actions in the Eucharist.
Just as scripture tells us that Jesus
took, blessed, broke and gave the bread and wine.
So this first of our four actions is for the
priest to take the bread and wine.
After the bread and wine are received, the table will be
prepared.
The water and wine are mingled, as was the practice with Jewish table wine.
It has also come to remind us of the blood and water that poured from Jesus’ side after his
death on the cross..