All of creation

 

There is a key moment in the mass as we move from what I call the fourth movement (offertory) to the fifth (The Great Thanksgiving or Eucharistic Prayer) when the priest declares (Common Preface III):

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God.

For just as through your beloved Son
you created the human race,
so also through him
with great goodness you formed it anew.

And so, it is right that all your creatures serve you,
all the redeemed praise you,
and all your Saints with one heart bless you.

Therefore, we, too, extol you with all the Angels,
as in joyful celebration we acclaim:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts . . .

A short while before, the priest lifts up the bread and says. ‘Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life’

In the mass we join our voices with those of the angels and saints.  Not only that but we join our praise with that of the 'whole of creation’ which ‘has been groaning in labour pains until now’ (Romans 8:22).