My Sacrifice and Yours
Jun
7
Written by:
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Trinity Sunday, 2009
There is an interesting little change in language coming in the new Mass translations: instead of the priest saying, "Pray my brothers and sisters that our sacrifice will be acceptable to God the Almighty Father," the priest will now say, "Pray my brothers and sisters that MY SACRIFICE AND YOURS will be acceptable to God the Almighty Father." My Sacrifice and Yours.
The Mass is about the Lord's sacrifice on the cross.... But it is also about OUR sacrifice .... MY sacrifice and YOURS. MINE and YOURS. What sacrifice? At The Mass we come to be fed, nourished, built up, fellowship, support our brothers and sisters, and receive the Body and Blood ... and WE ALSO COME TO OFFER OURSELVES AND OUR LIVES TO CHRIST. WE COME TO OFFER OURSELVES to Christ and to those we are in fellowship with.
Vatican II was really big on active participation in the Mass by the priest and the people together, and one of the main ways we do this is by making of ourselves an offering to God. We come here each week to make this offering together as one body, in fellowship with others, and unite that sacrifice to his on the cross. The priest's prayer at the Eucharist is both "yours and mine." The priest is speaking, but we are all praying together.
As the gifts of bread and wine are brought forward (along with the collection), what offering will I make to God? Perhaps I will bring God the trial another is facing, or something that is a burden to me. I may have a heavy cross to bear. I will offer it to God now. Perhaps this has been a week filled with joy. I can offer that.
Most of all, I will be offering my own will to God. May MY will be your will, O God, may my desires be YOUR desires. The Trinity is nothing if not a mutual self -offering of one member to the others. Christ is inviting us to participate in this at Mass, and then to go home and offer ourselves to God and others throughout the week in the same way that Christ did. This is active and full participation, a real participation in Christ's sacrifice.
What can I offer to God this week? Have I been ill? Has someone tried my patience or offended me? Am I being called to step forward in a new and more challenging role in my life? Maybe I will offer God my brokenness, my sinfulness that I am struggling with. I will offer to God my life. The Mass is really an invitation to participate in the Trinity by offering ourselves to the Lord at Mass, and each day, in all the circumstances of our lives.
Father Gary