"IT IS PAY-BACK TIME"

When the choir begins "It Is Pay-Back Time," there is a distinct shift in the atmosphere of the Mass. Written by Jude Nnam, this offertory hymn moves away from simple themes of bringing bread and wine, asking a much deeper question: how do we respond to a sacrifice we cannot even fully understand? The verses walk us through a deeply personal reflection on Christ’s love and forgiveness, building up to that central, humbling question of how we can possibly repay the Lord.

During the presentation of gifts, this piece gives the congregation a moment to reflect on their own lives. As the melody flows into the refrain, the focus widens to embrace the Holy Trinity. We lift our voices to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, asking them to accept the humble gifts we bring. It is a warm reminder from the choir loft that our weekly offering is not just a routine part of the liturgy, but a heartfelt response to the boundless grace we have been given.