Honouring the gifts of creation

 

In the offertory of the mass the bread and wine are taken, blessed and offered. They are not, yet, consecrated.  This part of the Eucharist is particularly important because it links directly the temple liturgy of the Hebrews with the Christian Eucharist.  The early celebration of the Eucharist among Jewish Christians shaped the mass as we know it today. The Jewish table blessings - Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu – are incorporated into a new celebration initiated by the Lord Jesus at the Last Supper.
The priest declares in the person of Christ:  “Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation…fruit of the earth / vine and work of human hands…”

The detailed Temple offerings and thanksgiving sacrifices contained in the Law of Moses are a type of prefiguring of the Eucharist.

In truth we are – spiritually – Jewish and we are worshipping the same God in the Messiah who has completed the Law in Himself