Theme:
On Feb. 1st we celebrated the Feast day of St. Brigit of Kildare whose inclusivity reminds us that we all belong at the Banquet of Love, the heavenly feast. A table blessing of St. Brigit gives us a glimpse into the heart of Celtic spirituality:
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| Phil Garrison, Bridget Mary Meehan, Jean Brgant, Teresa McEache, Mary AL Gagnon |
“I should welcome the poor to my feast for they are God’s children. I should welcome the sick to my feast for they are God’s joy. Let the poor sit with Jesus at the highest place, let the sick dance with the angels.”
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| Pastor Phil Garrison shared insights from his Celtic Spiritual Journey in Ireland with MMOJ Community on Sat. Feb. 2,2013 |
Opening Prayer:
O God of compassion and healing,
You gave Holy Brigit to us as a sign of your love.
You caress us with the warmth of the sun,
You encircle us in love’s embrace.
You are behind us and before us.
You are above us and beneath us.
We consecrate all that we are to you.
Creed from Iona Community
Presider: Let us affirm our faith.
All: We believe that God is present
in the darkness before dawn;
In the waiting and uncertainty
where fear and courage join hands,
Conflict and caring link arms
And the sun rises over barbed wire.
We believe in a with-us God
Who sits down in our midst
To share our humanity,
A feasting God.*
We affirm a faith,
That takes us beyond a safe place
Into action, into vulnerability,
Into the streets.
We commit ourselves to work for change
And put ourselves on the line;
To bear responsibility, to take risks,
Live powerfully and face humiliation;
To stand with those on the edge;
To choose life
And be used by the Spirit
For God’s new community of Hope. Amen.
from Iona Abbey Worship Book by The Iona Community
Intercessions:
Loving God hear our prayer
That we may give as gift the gifts we have received, I pray….
That we may care for our marvelous planet with its animals and plants, we pray…
That we may share my food, clothing, home and time generously, we pray…
For what else shall we pray….
Closing Prayer:
St. Brigit, you were a woman of peace.
You brought harmony where there was conflict.
You brought light to the darkness.
You brought hope to the downcast.
May the mantle of your peace
Cover those who are troubled and anxious,
And may peace be firmly rooted
in our hearts and in our world.
Inspire us to act justly and to reverence all
God has made.
Brigit you were a voice for the wounded.
Strengthen what is weak within us.
Calm us into a quiet inner listening that heals.
May we grow each day into greater wholeness in mind, body and spirit. Amen.
(Solas Bhride, Kildare 1997)
Saint Brigit’s Blessing
May Brigit bless the house wherein you dwell.
Bless every fireside, every wall and door.
Bless every heart that bets beneath its roof.
Bless every hand that toils to bring it joy.
Bless every foot that walks its portals through.
May Brigit bless the house that shelters you.
(Prayers and blessings from Praying with Celtic Holy Women by Bridget Mary Meehan and Regina Madonna Oliver)
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