We were discussing the significance
of today’s Solemnity at our coffee morning this morning while celebrating the
fact that this is the day when the God-man was revealed to us, the gentile
nations...
We noted that in many places this
is the day when Christmas gifts are exchanged, recalling not only the gifts of
the Magi, but the greater gift of the Incarnate Son of God bringing us the gift
of eternal life through the forgiveness of our sins.
We agreed that although we hear
it every year, it is true that the Magi’s gifts are teaching aids for us, symbolising
as they do Christ’s Person and His Mission: the gold symbolising His Kingship;
the frankincense His Divinity, and the myrrh His death. We realised though, that
we are not called to give any of these to God today, though the parish needs our
gifts of gold (money) so that we can pay for our heating, lighting, Insurance, Council
Tax, building repairs, office supplies -and our pastor’s allowance!) What God
seeks from us is our hearts; our lives given over to Him in loving obedience.
Father Dickson had reminded us this
evening that at every Mass we attend we get an ‘epiphany moment’; primarily in
the Consecration when God reveals His Presence to us by His words and actions
in the person of His priest. There is also, however, the Offertory Procession; that
movement in the Mass when we hand over our lives to God with the gifts of bread
and wine. It seems to us that this procession was not returned to the Rite of Mass
simply to get the congregation actively doing something; rather, but to
symbolise our self-offering. After all, none of the actions we perform at Mass
are empty ritual; they all have a meaning, and it would a sad loss to miss out
on the liturgical opportunity to offer our lives at the Offertory.
We were clear that we should be
full of thanksgiving to God for His Incarnation; for His self-revelation to the
gentiles and for His saving Mission, offering ourselves to Him who gave Himself
for us, that we might find in Him eternal life, light, happiness and peace.
catechesis, I need, I've always muddled offertory and alms and collect.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment.
DeleteI agree with you on catechesis; understanding the symbolism in the Mass so that we can enter into its Mystery is important for us all.
And your desire for -and humble recognition of- further catechesis is praiseworthy and 'Blog-worthy'...perhaps a future Post on the topic might be attempted! But don't hold your breath..!