Weekly messages from our Pastor

This weekend at all the Masses we will be reviewing only a few changes in the new translation of the Roman Missal. Both changes occur during the part of the Mass we call, the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The first change is the Invitation to Prayer and the other change is in the Preface Dialogue. These words prepare us to enter into the Eucharistic Prayer.

It’s so important that all of us see ourselves as part of this holy offering during the Mass. For instance, at every Mass, as we begin the Offertory, do we make a conscience effort to place who we are and what we have done, our hopes and our dreams, our pains and our sorrows, in the offertory procession? Do we offer ourselves in the bread and wine?

Pope Benedict XVI reminds us, “In the bread and wine that we bring to the altar, all creation is taken up by Christ the Redeemer to be transformed and presented to the Father” (Sacramentum caritatis, #47). The bread and wine— and our gifts for the ministry of the Church and care of the poor—symbolize who we are, all we have done in the previous week (our “work”), and all of creation. Even the “pain and suffering of the world” is taken up in order to be transformed. In other words, everything has value in the eyes of God. There is a powerful dynamic at work here. God has given us the gift of creation and of human work. We offer back to God the “fruit of the earth and work of human hands,” which are transformed, for our sake and for the sake of the world, into the very Presence of Christ. Praying the Eucharistic Prayer, and receiving such a gift in Holy Communion, we are transformed—and make to God the return-gift of a life lived in accord with the gospel.

At every Mass, as we offer ourselves in this “holy exchange” may we each one of us be transformed into a “new creation”. May we become more and more like Jesus Christ, who is Love.

God bless you,

Fr. John Francis Murray, C.Ss.R.