E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

THE INCENSING AT THE OFFERTORY. 167
istud ; at the second, a te benedictum ; at the third,
ascendat ad te Domine. He next describes three
circles round the chalice and host, the first two with
the thurible from right to left, and the third from left
to right ; saying at the first, et descendat super nos ;
at the second, misericordia ; and at the third, tua
(May this incense blessed by Thee ascend to Thee,
O Lord, and may Thy mercy descend upon us).
He next incenses the crucifix thrice with the words
of the 1 4oth Psalm : Let my prayer be directed as
incense in Thy sight, that is, let my prayer reach
Thee in the Heavens as incense ordered by Thee
of old and entirely consumed in Thy presence. The
lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.
A lifting up of my hands means prayer, as the
Jews were wont to lift up their hands in prayer.
(See Psalm cxxxiii.) The prayer I offer up with uplifted
hands, may it be like the sacrifice of incense offered up
in the evening, prefiguring the Sacrifice of Calvary.
Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth ;
and a door
round about my lips. My mouth being the gate
through which pass the words that do harm ; set,
O Lord, a watchman on it, and as that is not enough I
beg of Thee to put a strong door round my lips ; That
my heart incline not to evil words to make excuses
in sin. Do not allow us when we have fallen into sin
to "let our heart incline" to lies and excuses. "To
make excuses in sin." Do not allow us to excuse our
sin, teach us to acknowledge it. (See Bellavmine s Com
mentary on this Psalm.)
The celebrant then restores the thurible to the
deacon at the Epistle side, saying, May our Lord
enkindle within us the fire of His love, and the
flame of eternal charity. The deacon receives it,