Talmudic Benedictions in the Novus Ordo Mass

For comparison and contrast, the Novus Ordo “Preparation of the Gifts,” benedictions for bread and wine from the Talmud of rabbinic Judaism, and the Offertory prayers from the traditional Latin Mass are given. Which of these three is not like the others?

Novus Ordo “Preparation of the Gifts”:

Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life.

Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become our spiritual drink.

Talmudic Benedictions for Bread and Wine:

“Blessed art thou, O Lord, our God, King of the universe, who bringest forth bread from the earth.” (Babylonian Talmud, tractate Berakoth 38a)

“Blessed art thou, O Lord, our God, King of the universe, who givest us this fruit of the vine.” (Babylonian Talmud, tractate Berakoth 35a)

Offertory Prayers of the Traditional Latin Mass:

P: Accept, O Holy Father, Almighty and eternal God, this spotless host, which I, Thine unworthy servant, offer to Thee, my living and true God, to atone for my numberless sins, offenses and negligences; on behalf of all here present and likewise for all faithful Christians living and dead, that it may profit me and them as a means of salvation to life everlasting. Amen

P: O God, + Who established the nature of man in wondrous dignity, and still more admirably restored it, grant that by the mystery signified in the mingling of this water and wine, may we come to share in His Divinity, who humbled himself to share in our humanity, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

P: We offer unto Thee, O Lord, the chalice of salvation, humbly begging of Thy mercy that it may arise before Thy divine Majesty, with a pleasing fragrance, for our salvation and for that of the whole world.

S: Amen.

P: In a humble spirit and with a contrite heart, may we be accepted by Thee, O Lord, and may our sacrifice so be offered in Thy sight this day as to please Thee, who art our Lord and our God.

P: Come, O Sanctifier, Almighty and Eternal God, and bless, + this sacrifice prepared for the glory of Thy holy Name.

P: I wash my hands among the innocent, and I go around Your altar, O Lord, that I may hear the voice of praise, and tell of all Thy wondrous works. O Lord, I have loved the beauty of Thy house and the place where Thy glory dwelleth. Take not away my soul, O God with the wicked: nor my life with men of blood. On their hands are crimes, and their right hands are full of bribes. But as for me I have walked in my innocence; redeem me, and have mercy on me. My foot has stood in the right way;s in the churches I will bless Thee, O Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

P: Accept, most Holy Trinity, this offering which we are making to Thee in remembrance of the passion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, Our Lord; and in honor of blessed Mary, ever Virgin, Blessed John the Baptist, the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and of (name of the Saints whose relics are in the Altar) and of all the Saints; that it may add to their honor and aid our salvation; and may they deign to intercede in heaven for us who honor their memory here on earth. Through the same Christ our Lord.

S: Amen.

P: Pray brethren, that my Sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father Almighty.

S: May the Lord receive this Sacrifice from your hands to the praise and glory of His Name, for our good, and that of all His holy Church.

Craig Heimbichner has done an excellent analysis of the replacement of the offertory prayers with Talmudic benedictions in the Novus Ordo Mass, Titled, The Talmudic Touch: THE REAL STORY OF THE OFFERTORY’S REPLACEMENT

Read it here:

http://mauricepinay.blogspot.com/2007/03/talmudic-touch-real-story-of-offertorys.html