The Offertory
Prayer after the Preparation
Prayer after the Preparation
Priest
You, O Lord, have taught us this great mystery of salvation. You have called us, Your lowly and unworthy servants, to be ministers of Your holy altar. You, O Lord, make us worthy in the power of Your Holy Spirit to accomplish this service, so that without falling into condemnation before Your great glory, we may offer up unto You a sacrifice of praise, glory, and great beauty in Your sanctuary. O God, Who gives grace, Who sends forth salvation and Who works all in all, grant, O Lord, that our sacrifice be accepted before You for my own sins, and for the sins of Your people committed in ignorance; for, behold, it is holy according to the gift of Your Holy Spirit, in Christ Jesus our Lord, through Whom the glory, honour, dominion and worship are due unto You, with Him and the Holy Spirit, the Life-giver, Who is coessential with You, both now and always, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Commentary
The Priest gives thanks to God who granted him the honour to serve the holy altar. He confesses his sins as well as the people's sins, praying that God accept His Son's sacrifice on their behalf.
“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”— Hebrews 13:15
The Eucharist is the fulfilment of the Old Testament sacrifices, which the high priest offered once a year in the Most Holy Place — not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people's sins committed in ignorance (Hebrews 9:7).