The Eucharistic Prayer

[ICTHUS]

Priest:

Pray, brethren, that our sacrifice

may be acceptable to God,

the almighty Father.

People

May the Lord

accept the sacrifice at your hands

for the praise and glory

of his name, for our good,

and the good of all his Church.

I had a question about this: My understanding of the Eucharistic Liturgy is that JESUS' sacrifice is made present for our sins, and that that sacrifice is inDouche acceptable to God - inDouche it is the ONLY sacrifice acceptable to Him for our salvation.

So why are we praying "that OUR sacrifice may be acceptable to God" when really, it's not our sacrifice, its Jesus' sacrifice?

[hyperdulia again]

we're presenting it, and isn't that said before transubstantiation---meaning we're asking god to accept bread and wine so christ can be present?

[Aloysius]

also asking God to accept the sacrifice we've made from our pockets ( i think that's after the basket's passed around) and the sacrifice of our own lives. that is all symbolized by the bread and wine.

and then the priest acting in persona Christi transforms them into Jesus Christ, showing that we are to be transformed into His likeness through reception of this most blessed sacrament.

[Norseman82]

Please remember that the first time the Eucharist was consecrated was at the Last Supper, which was originally a Passover meal. I do know that the "Blessed are You, O Lord, God of all creation..." prayers prayed during the offertory are based on Passover blessings (it was in a study guide someone brought to our parish bible study), so maybe it is possible that the "May the Lord accept our sacrifice.." prayer is based on something that is also part of the Passover meal ritual as well??

[Uncle Gus]

Hmmm, I started writing a big spiel, but it's not actually that relevant. That part of the Mass is inDouche before the transubstantiation, the gifts (brought by the people as a sacrifice for God and His Church) are offered to God. We bring bread and wine, and then we pray that the sacrifice is acceptable. Later on, the priest (at the epiclesis) asks God to hallow the gifts, make them holy, that they may become the Body and Blood of Jesus. And then, after the consecration, we offer God the one truly acceptable sacrifice, i.e., the One Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Eucharist.

[Anna]

ICTHUS, remember the priest tells us to "Lift up your hearts."

We respond, "We lift them up to the Lord."

Scripture tells us that the Lord desires a contrite heart.

We come to Mass as sinners.

We place our hearts on the altar, alongside the Body and Blood of Jesus.

The priest, in persona Christi, presents this Sacrifice to the Father.

May our hearts always be found pleasing to God, the Almighty Father, when presented in Union with Christ, His Son, Our Lord.

Can I get an Amen?

[Uncle Gus]

Yea, verily :)

[Katholikos]

Hmmm, I started writing a big spiel, but it's not actually that relevant. That part of the Mass is inDouche before the transubstantiation, the gifts (brought by the people as a sacrifice for God and His Church) are offered to God. We bring bread and wine, and then we pray that the sacrifice is acceptable. Later on, the priest (at the epiclesis) asks God to hallow the gifts, make them holy, that they may become the Body and Blood of Jesus. And then, after the consecration, we offer God the one truly acceptable sacrifice, i.e., the One Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Eucharist.

Good on Gus. I asked the priest after Mass this morning, and this is precisely what he said. Well, the priest is a brainy Jesuit with at least 12 years of higher education, so he elaborated a lot, but Gus gave a concise statement of the gist of his words.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!!!

[Katholikos]

Yes'm, Miss Anna, right on!

In the hearts of Jesus and Mary, Amen.