The Hidden Depths of the Mass #20

The Liturgy of the Eucharist – The Offertory Part 3

When the gifts of bread and wine have been placed on the altar, water is used twice.  The first is as the priest or deacon pours wine into the chalice followed by a drop of water while silently saying “By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity.”  The wine symbolizes Jesus’ Divinity while the water symbolizes humanity.  The two brought together symbolizes the divine Jesus becoming human in the Incarnation.  In the Incarnation we are brought to union with God.

The second use of water is when the priest washes his hands.  This has its origins in Exodus 30:20 where the priest would wash before the sacrifices.  The priest needs to be cleansed before offering the sacrifice.