Just what are we doing with these gifts? Presenting or Offering (3)

When the new Sacramentary (=priest's prayer book used at the chair or the table) becomes official in a couple of years, the kiss or exchange of peace will happen either right after the liturgy of the word or right before communion (as is customary since 1969). The reason for the option is found in St. Matthew: if anyone has something against one's sister or brother, go be reconciled, and then return and offer your gift to God.

The rest of the presentation rite is as we have known it. The Assembly contributes their "bread," i.e., their hard earned money in the collection as the table is being readied. People bring up bread and wine, as well as the collection, in a procession accompanied by song. The bread and wine should be sufficient so that there is no need to go to the tabernacle at communion. The reason for this is that the eucharist is a sacrifice and an action for the community at worship now. The priest says the blessing prayer aloud or quietly. Gifts, table, and people may be incensed. the priest's hands are washed. He invited the Assembly to pray; they respond to this. Then the prayer over the gifts is voiced. This completes this ritual unit.

But, on closer inspection, one realizes that this is no simple rite. What we do, how we enact this ritual prayer indicates what we believe, what style of church and ministry flourishes or lies dormant in this particular, gathered community. (If one observes the gestures and actions at the presentation of gifts and at communion, one gets some notion of what kind of parish we have).

The rite tries to do too much. As you participate in its enactment, ask: is it trying to present and prepare, or is it offering gifts? The structure of the rite confuses. On one hand, it gathers up bread, wine and money and presents them before God. On the other hand, the old offertory mood prevails, especially if the priest is not careful with his gestures as he handles the bread and the cup or if he prays the blessing prayers loudly and emphatically.

Secondly, using real bread, rather than hosts, and wine sufficient for the size of the Assembly indicates how this Assembly uses symbols to reflect the relationship of bread and wine to all creation.

Thirdly, where do gift bearers go when they bring forth the gifts? To the steps at the fringe of the sanctuary? To the table? Are the laity able to invade the sacred precincts? Do we segregate sanctuary from other space?

Fourthly, what value do we assign to money? Is it filthy lucre? Is it the expression of our work? Is the collection a gift of gratitude? Is it given to keep the parish going? Is it meant for the poor? Do we label some as deserving and others as undeserving? Are we compassionate or punitive toward the poor?

The rite is simple. Gather bread, wine, and money. Present them before God and the assembled church. Get ready for the most important part of the eucharist, i.e., offering thanks and praise through Christ, our high priest. But the rite is not isolated. It connects with the issues that demand our reflection and decision.