Meaning of Offering gifts at Mass

[Pappa_Matt]

Does anyone have a definition of what the meaning or intent is of having people from the congregation bring up the gifts during the Mass? The reason I ask, is that this past Sunday, one of the people asked to do so was a non Catholic. While the individual has been attending Mass at our Parish with his wife for over 15 years, he has no intention of becoming a Catholic. Are there any regulations regarding who can and can not bring up the gifts.

 

[Mike_Dye]

I could well be wrong but I don’t think there are any regulations. We just offer what we have and our hopes and needs to our Almighty Father. I really wouldn’t worry too much about someone that has been going to Mass for the past 15 years ( Even if they are not Catholic) bringing up the gifts. I would rather spend my time on bringing back Catholics that havn’t been to Mass in the past 15 years
Mike

 

[Fidei_Defensor]

In the ancient church (when masses were held in catacombs for fear of the Romans), the bread and the wine were offerings from the Christians themselves. The message was that we sacrificed our goods to God for his glory and for the spiritual nourishment of the community through the Eucharist. That is mirrored today in the presentation of gifts.

On a side note, the washing of hands by the priest arose from a practical matter: again, in the ancient church, the priest would have to handle the gifts and his hands would get dirty.