During the sermon at Saint Gregory the priest took a moment to describe the worship service of the early church. Many of the practices of the early church are still done today though often in a more symbolic and ritualized form. One example given is when the priest washes his hands and dries them after receiving the holy gifts at the alter. In the ancient church the priest received not only bread and wine that the parishioners brought but also foodstuffs and clothes for the needy and perhaps even livestock such as ducks and geese. All these things were brought to the priest so they could be shared among the church. (there is a bible passage about the early followers of Jesus pooling what they had and each receiving what he or she needed) It was natural then after receiving all these varied gifts that the priest would need to wash his hands. In our modern church the priest continues this practice by washing his hands with water after the gifts are brought to the alter.
Our faith is both ancient and new. The Mass we celebrate today is truly rooted in the ancient practices of those first followers of Jesus. The next time you celebrate Mass, look around and watch every movement that happens at the alter and then afterwards ask the priest about it.
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