The Offertory maybe one of the most misunderstood or misinterpreted part of the Catholic Mass. The Offertory draws its meaning in the scriptural tradition of offering to God "the best" fruits of one's labor. It is his way of thanking God for the graces he had received especially in his livelihood. The offering may then be used by the Christian community (Church) especially the more needy. The story of Cain and Abel depicted it clearly. Cain was jealous of Abel because God praised the offering of Abel. Abel, an animal raiser, offered the first born (considered the best of the flock) of his flock and some fats as well while Cain, a farmer, offered the fruits of the soil. Then God told Cain that if what he did was right, he had nothing to be ashamed of. The consequent reaction of Cain showed that he was more absorbed with his jealousy than in giving to God the best fruits of his harvest. The offering should be an act of thanksgiving to God for His generosity and not to give for the sake of giving or to just a show for God.
The mass is the highest form of worship of the Catholic faith. Part of that worship is offering himself to God. In the mass, the faithful offers himself to God in the form of the fruits of his labors. In the mass, God also offers Himself in the form of the bread and wine which becomes His Body and Blood. At present, money is the most convenient and appropriate symbol of offering. Before, animals, vegetables, and other products and properties had been offered. However, the impracticality and inconvenience of these material offerings pave the way for more simple but still meaningful offerings be made. Money or the like became the most popular offering. While the best products of one's labor is not anymore being offered, the purpose is still achieved by the equivalent of the offering in monetary terms.
The money offered voluntarily is usually used to support the maintenance and operations of the church. Other excess funds maybe used for apostolates. The Church depends so much in the offerings of the faithful. The support of the faithful will sustain the ministry of the Church. The offerings are also considered as donations. They are not "payments" in the case of the sacraments. Sacraments are free. They are done for the salvation of the faithful. Donations are asked or voluntary given as support for the church. However, nobody is denied of the sacraments just because he has nothing to give or to donate.
The community must set aside certain part of their income to be offerings in support of the church. This is to always make available the ministry of the church for the salvation of all. Their assistance, which are fruits of their labor, would become aids in bringing everyone to salvation. The amount is not important. Whatever one can afford is enough and sufficient. Everything must be given out of Love. It must be seen not as investing something for the future bu as an act of thanksgiving to God who can not be outdone in generosity.
The mass is the highest form of worship of the Catholic faith. Part of that worship is offering himself to God. In the mass, the faithful offers himself to God in the form of the fruits of his labors. In the mass, God also offers Himself in the form of the bread and wine which becomes His Body and Blood. At present, money is the most convenient and appropriate symbol of offering. Before, animals, vegetables, and other products and properties had been offered. However, the impracticality and inconvenience of these material offerings pave the way for more simple but still meaningful offerings be made. Money or the like became the most popular offering. While the best products of one's labor is not anymore being offered, the purpose is still achieved by the equivalent of the offering in monetary terms.
The money offered voluntarily is usually used to support the maintenance and operations of the church. Other excess funds maybe used for apostolates. The Church depends so much in the offerings of the faithful. The support of the faithful will sustain the ministry of the Church. The offerings are also considered as donations. They are not "payments" in the case of the sacraments. Sacraments are free. They are done for the salvation of the faithful. Donations are asked or voluntary given as support for the church. However, nobody is denied of the sacraments just because he has nothing to give or to donate.
The community must set aside certain part of their income to be offerings in support of the church. This is to always make available the ministry of the church for the salvation of all. Their assistance, which are fruits of their labor, would become aids in bringing everyone to salvation. The amount is not important. Whatever one can afford is enough and sufficient. Everything must be given out of Love. It must be seen not as investing something for the future bu as an act of thanksgiving to God who can not be outdone in generosity.
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