Our Personal Offering

But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.. ..And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors, and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, un­til we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ....

Rather, speaking in truth and love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upholds itself in love.

Reflections on the Text

Through His life, death and resurrection, Christ offered himself for the salvation of the world. He gave His life not only for his close friends and followers, but for the salvation of all persons and the whole of creation.

We affirm this at each Divine Liturgy: Immediately following the words of institution, the cel­ebrant recalls “all those things which have come to pass for us: the Cross, the Tomb, the Resurrection on the third day, the Ascension into heaven, the Sitting at the right hand, and the second and glorious Coming.” Then the gifts of bread and wine are raised and the celebrant proclaims “Thine own of mine own we offer unto Thee, on behalf of all and for all.”

Our gifts in the form of bread and wine are offered to God and become the Body and Blood of Christ through the action of the Holy Spirit. In turn, they are offered to us for the “purification of souls and the remission of sins.”

Having been “baptized into Christ” and “put on Christ,” we are called to become imitators of Him—to “walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Eph. 5:1-2). To imitate Christ—the Servant who offers—to answer His call and to “follow Him” means we must offer ourselves for others. We make this offering through our love, our gifts and our talents. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit (by anointing with the Holy Chrism), Christ’s gifts are distributed to all “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up the Body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12).

What are these gifts that we offer to God and to others? Having a gift does not mean that we are the best at something, but rather that we offer our best to God in whatever we do. The widow who offered her mite, the woman who anointed Jesus, the thief who repented—all these are examples of offering the best of your gifts, no matter how small or insignificant. These gifts were great in the eyes of God simply because they were the greatest things that could be offered.

1. Privately ask yourself, “what are the gifts and talents God has given me?” Keep in mind the difference between the two. Take a couple of minutes and write down your an­swers.

2. In what ways have I offered and could I offer these gifts for the building up of the body of Christ?

3. Compare the accounts of the widow’s mite (Luke 21:1-4), the woman anointing Jesus’ feet (Luke 7:36-50), and the repentant thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43) with Christ’s discussion with the rich young man (Luke 18: 18-27). What could we say to someone who says that Christ de­mands too much of us?

4. What issues arise that inhibit or hinder us from offering our gifts?

5. What results should we expect from our offering? How should we expect God to react? How should we expect others to react?

6. How should we react if people do not appreciate or accept our offering?

What is the relationship between offering ourselves and our gifts for the building up of the body of Christ versus on behalf of all  and for all? Is there a conflict? Why or why not?

7. How do our relationships with others relate to any offering we might make?

8. How does this relate to St. Seraphim of Sarov’s teaching “save yourself and thousands of others will be saved?”

9. In what ways could we misinterpret St. Seraphim’s teach­ing?