A offering it’s a gift, gift or gift offered in token of recognition, gratitude or veneration.
The offerings, generally, They have a religious character and, in this sense, they can be destined for a noble cause, an institution, a divinity or a saint.
Hence, offerings represent the material expression of worship of a divinity, and are usually offered when asking for something or to honor a vow made previously.
Offerings are made to the Church during the celebration of mass. Likewise, offerings are also made to the deceased, next to their grave, in their memory.
The custom of giving offerings to the gods has been recorded since Ancient Egypt. Similarly, in America, pre-Hispanic cultures made offerings to their deities, these could range from food to human or animal sacrifices.
Offering in the Bible
The Offeringsjust like him titheare the gifts and gifts with which the Christian contributes materially to the support of the Church so that it can do its job. His demand in the biblical texts is very clear in this regard: “Give to Jehovah the honor due to his name; bring offerings and come to his courts” (Psalms, 96:8).
In this sense, Christian doctrine teaches in the Bible that giving to God, above all, constitutes a reason for joy in sharing what is ours with the Lord: “Honor the Lord with your riches and with the first fruits of your crops. Thus, your barns will be filled to bursting and your cellars will overflow with new wine” (Proverbs, 3: 9-10).
Likewise, the sacred texts establish that offerings have their corresponding retribution: “Give and it will be given to you: a full, pressed, shaken and overflowing measure will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you measure to others, it will be measured to you” (Luke, 6: 38).
Day of the Dead Offering
In Mexicoduring the celebrations of Day of the Dead, it is tradition to build domestic altars to lavish offerings on the beloved dead, whether they are family members, friends or illustrious figures. As such, offerings can consist of food (fruits, sweets, bread of the dead), valuable objects (gold coins), religious elements (images, crosses and rosaries), clothing, skulls, drinks, flowers (especially the flower of cempasuchil) and aromatic herbs. The offerings are samples of affection, respect and remembrance to give to the dead and pay tribute to them.
See also Day of the Dead.