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Holy Thursday – March 28, 2024 “Do this in memory of me”
Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community
Presiders: Elena Garcia, ARCWP, and Beth Ponce
Readers: Jim Brandi and Andrea Seabaugh
Prayer Leaders: Anna Davis and Jane Shugrue
IT: Cheryl Brandi Music Minister: Linda Lee Miller
(https://zoom.us/j/99176907826?
Meeting ID: 991 7690 7826
Passcode: 892443
Opening Hymn: We Come to Your Feast by Michael Joncas
https://youtu.be/He1viPvFXzc
Opening Prayer:
(Elena) We gather together in memory of Jesus who shared meals at an open table with tax collectors, prostitutes and all who followed him. On the night before he died, Jesus gathered with his friends at a Passover Meal. In an extravagant offering of love, he knelt down and washed their feet, and told them to do likewise. He, then, returned to the table, blessed the bread and cup, shared it with them, and told them to do this in memory of him. Today, we warmly welcome you to a table of abundant love and gracious care in memory of Jesus.
(pause)
Transformation Rite:
(Beth) We pause now to remember the times we have not served others with kind hearts. Take a few moments to recall one missed opportunity, one broken or damaged relationship.
(Pause briefly)
Now imagine this person or situation in the light of healing love, as we ask for forgiveness. Hold your hands over your heart and remember the power of love within you to forgive and heal self and others.
(Pause briefly.)
Then extend your hands in a gesture of healing love over our community and pray with me:
(Beth & All) Please forgive me. I am sorry. I love you. I thank you.
Gloria: A Joyful Gloria by Linda Lee and Rick Miller
https://youtu.be/udjH7EON5IY?si=6NQcwXVYMSpAKMx-
LITURGY OF THE WORD
(Jim B) First Reading: An excerpt from The Last Week
As a Passover meal, the Last Supper resonates with the story of the exodus from Egypt, a story of bondage deliverance and liberation. The first Passover occurred on the evening just before the tenth plague of death to the firstborn in every Egyptian household. In this context, the Passover meal of lamb had two meanings: the blood was put on doorposts so that they would be literally passed over and delivered from the threat of death, and secondly, the lamb was food for the journey.
We realize now that the Passover lamb is a sacrifice in the broad sense of the word but not in the narrow sense of substitutionary sacrifice. There is no mention of sin or guilt, substitution or atonement. Rather, the point is participation with God through gift or meal. Meals were always one of the most distinctive features of Jesus’ public activity. He often taught at meals, banquets were topics of his parables and his eating with outcasts was a controversial topic among the Pharisees. Jesus’ meals were about inclusion in a society with sharp social boundaries.
It is important to note that within this more private meal setting, Jesus must have known that the noose was tightening, that the cross was approaching. He could not have been oblivious to the hostility of the authorities, and he may have regarded his arrest and execution as inevitable — not because of divine necessity, but because of what he could sense happening around him.
These are the inspired words of Marcus Borg and Dominic Crossan and the community affirms them by saying,
(Jim and All) So be it.
Responsorial Song: Place at the Table Music by Lori True, Video by Michelle Sherliza
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVNiy2cdiM4
(Andrea S) Second Reading: On Being a Eucharistic Community
Meals are the most frequent settings for Gospel stories. They range from informal picnics on hillsides to banquets given by dignitaries. They introduce us to some of the most diverse and colorful of Gospel characters: a woman with long hair who washes Jesus’ feet, a little boy who has loaves and fishes hidden in the folds of his robe, and a short man, named Zacchaeus, who is about to have an unexpected dinner guest. Meals transport us from the wedding in Cana to a quiet dinner at a little house in Emmaus. They invited us to a party for a prodigal and let us share a Passover supper with a carpenter’s son. This theme of inclusivity is one of the benchmarks of Jesus’ teaching. Everyone ought to have a place at the table, especially those who have been marginalized. Obviously, this includes many who do not qualify for the guest list–people who have been relegated to the back roads and slums of the towns. When we give a luncheon, we need to make sure that no one who wants to be there is left out. Inclusivity is a Gospel mandate. It is not separate from Sabbath observance, but an essential part of it.
These are the inspired words of Fran Ferder & John Heagle and we respond by saying,
(Andrea and All) So be it.
Gospel Acclamation: Spirit of the Living God
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-4Oe8mt--o
(Beth) Gospel:
We begin with a reading from the perspective of the women preparing for the Passover Seder -- A Reading for Holy Week - the Women, by Bryony Taylor
Passover is my favorite time of the year, it’s busy, yes and sometimes I dread it, what with all the relatives visiting and trying to make sure everything cooks on time. Cleaning the house of all the yeast is a big job, thank goodness I have my daughters Leah and Dinah to help me now with that job! This year has been very different. We have been in Jerusalem with my sons James and John who have come into the city with Yeshua, the great rabbi. Being in the big city we knew that we would be in a different place for our Passover Seder this year. I was nervous because I always find it difficult using someone else’s oven for baking and someone else’s pots and pans. The boys came to me,Mary, and Yeshua’s Imma and took us to a room that had been made ready for Yeshua to share the Passover with all of us, his disciples. We had to go there in secret. The atmosphere in Jerusalem is tense, the Romans always get a bit heavy handed at festival time – more people are out drinking than usual and causing trouble – and of course, the city is full of people, every house is full of guests. When we came into Jerusalem on Sunday, Yeshua was riding on a donkey’s colt, his feet were almost scraping the ground, it did look quite funny! But it was supposed to, Yeshua was making fun of the way the Roman rulers ride so triumphantly into the city at this time of year – Yeshua was showing how false that way of leading is. So we laughed and cheered and threw palm branches in his way and sang the old song of praise “hosanna to the Son of David.” You can imagine what the Roman guards made of that! So we are having to be very careful not to draw too much attention to ourselves. It would be such a disaster if we could not celebrate the Passover together. So I’ve managed to slow cook the lamb, we have the bitter herbs and my very special recipe of charoset – the honey mix that looks like the cement the Hebrew slaves had to use to build the pyramids – it has a secret ingredient! Now I’m toasting the matzoh bread, the unleavened bread ready for Yeshua to bless and we’ve filled the cups with wine. As the oldest woman here, I will have the honor of kindling the Passover lights at the beginning of our meal this evening and saying the prayers. Something tells me that this night is going to be extra special as we remember the Holy One’s presence with us in our journey out of Egypt into the Promised land.
And we continue with: A Reading from the Gospel according to Luke and John:
After washing their feet, Yeshua put his clothes back on and returned to the table. He said to them, “Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and Sovereign’ – and rightly, for so I am. If I, your Teacher and Sovereign, have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done.
While they were eating, Yeshua took bread, gave thanks for it, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body. Do this in remembrance of me.” He then raised high the cup of blessing, spoke the grace, and offered them the wine saying: “Take and drink of the covenant made new again through my life, for you. Whenever you do this, remember me!”
These are the inspired words from the Gospels of Luke and John, and we respond by saying,
(Beth & All) So be it.
Homily Starter: Yeshua
https://youtu.be/997ni1xcmKw?si=vfOyqYN6plRSWVPW
Homily Sharing
Statement of Faith
(Jane S) Please join in praying our statement of Faith
(Jane and All): We believe in the Holy One, a divine mystery
beyond all definition and rational understanding,
the heart of all that has ever existed,
that exists now, or that ever will exist.
We believe in Jesus, messenger of the Divine Word,
bringer of healing, heart of Divine compassion,
bright star in the firmament of the Holy One's
prophets, mystics, and saints.
We believe that We are called to follow Jesus
as a vehicle of divine love,
a source of wisdom and truth,
and an instrument of peace in the world.
We believe in the Spirit of the Holy One,
the life that is our innermost life,
the breath moving in our being,
the depth living in each of us.
We believe that the Divine kin-dom is here and now,
stretched out all around us for those
with eyes to see it, hearts to receive it,
and hands to make it happen.
Prayers of the Community:
(Anna D): As we prepare for the sacred meal and aware that the Holy One is present within us and works through us, we bring our intentions to the table.
All Respond: We remember and we pray.
We bring to the table the many families and children who suffer due to war in the Ukraine and in Gaza and Israel, Res.
We bring to the table the hundreds of thousands of displaced, starving women & children in Gaza. May governments overcome the domination system that threatens so many. Res.
We bring to the table the seriously ill, particularly members of MMOJ and our family and friends. Res.
(Joan M.) I bring to the table the petitions in our MMOJ prayer book, especially…. Res.
(Anna D.) And who or what else do we bring to the table today?
Feel free to unmute, add a concern and re mute when finished.
Res.(after each petition.)
(Anna D): (At the end) We pray for these and all the unspoken concerns we hold in the silence of our hearts. Amen.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Preparation of the Gifts:
(Elena): Blessed are You, Holy One, through Your divine providence we have this bread to share, the Bread of Life.
(Elena and All) Blessed are You, Holy One, forever.
(Beth)Blessed are You, O Loving One, through Your divine providence we have this wine to share, our spiritual drink.
(Beth and All) Blessed are You, Holy One, forever.
Our table has been prepared, and all are invited to the Banquet of love. We offer these gifts and the gifts of our own lives to our loving God.
Eucharistic Prayer:
(Jane) God’s presence is within yo u
(J and All)And all around you.
(Jane) Lift up your hearts.
(J and All)We lift them up.
(Jane) Let us give thanks for an open table.
(Jane and All) We give thanks for this joyous feast.
Preface:
Anna D: With the flowers of the field and the birds of the air,
With every creature, we behold the beauty of God on earth,
With sisters and brothers around the globe,
With the angels and saints,
And with our loved ones,
We sing:
Holy, Holy, Holy – ( Karen Drucker, Linda Lee)
https://youtu.be/orKBBIj5LZA
(Elena): O Beloved, you who breathe new life into us in the midst of pain and darkness; may we love all people in all places, especially the poor, the refugee, the immigrant, the oppressed and marginalized. May we support them in their needs and empower them to speak with their own voices.
Epiclesis—with hands extended over the bread and wine.
(All Together) We open ourselves to your Spirit present in Jesus and within us who transforms the bread and cup and all of us gathered here into the Body and Blood of Christ.
(Elena) We remember that the night before Jesus died, he washed his disciples’ feet to show the depths of a love that serves others.
All lift the bread and together say the words of consecration:
(Elena and All) When he returned to his place at the table, Jesus lifted the bread, spoke the grace and said: TAKE AND EAT. THIS IS MY BODY GIVEN FOR YOU. DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
(Pause)
All lift the cup and pray:
(Beth and All) Then he took the cup of the covenant, spoke the grace, and offered it to them saying: TAKE AND DRINK. WHENEVER YOU REMEMBER ME LIKE THIS, I AM AMONG YOU.
(Pause)
(Beth): Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
(Beth & All) Christ has died in all those who have passed away. Christ is rising in all who serve their sisters and brothers. Christ will come again and again through the self-emptying love of your people.
(Elena) Holy One we remember all the companions who have gone before us: Mary, Mother of Jesus, Mary of Magdala, Peter and all holy women and men whose loving service has blessed our lives and world. We pause now to remember our personal communion of saints.
(Pause)
(Presiders hold bread and wine)
(Elena) For it is through living as Jesus lived, and loving as he loved, that we awaken to your Spirit drawing us into the fullness of life and loving service.
Great Amen: Linda Lee Miller
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy76fpfkNsg
The Prayer of Jesus
(Anna D) Let us pray as Jesus taught — in the Aramaic translation — the language of Jesus
(Anna D and All) Mother/Father God of the Cosmos,
Breathe life into our hearts.
May your power and counsel rule our lives
And the whole creation.
May your will to love find its home in each human heart
As it is at home throughout the Cosmos.
Grant us today both bread and wisdom
that we may in turn become bread for others.
Loose the scars of the secret debts that bind us,
and in the strength this freedom gives us,
help us to loose the cords we hold of others’ guilt.
Don’t let surface things delude us, but free us from unripeness,
from all that holds us back from loving.
For from you is born the astonishing fire,
the ruling will, the power and son that gives life to all,
here and now and forever. Amen.
(Jane)Jesus said to his disciples, “My peace I leave You. My peace I give You.”
(Let us place our hands in front of us, palms up, as we sing, “Peace is flowing like a river…” you may change “captives” to “peoples”)
Sign of Peace: Peace is flowing like a River by Carey Laundry, sung by Linda Lee Miller
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrLnCPq1GJk
(Elena) Please join in praying the Litany for the Breaking of the Bread.
(Elena and All)
Holy One, You call us to speak truth to power; we will do so.
Holy One, You call us to live the Gospel of healing and justice; we will do so.
Holy One, You call us to be Your presence in the world; we will do so.
(Beth)Filled with the peace we have shared and in communion with all people and all creation, come and share at this table. The bread of life, the cup of blessing.
Communion Song: Bread of Life
https://www.youtube)com/watch?v=QZgYcIvqgHU
(Elena)Thanksgiving: Please unmute yourself if you have a thanksgiving to share.
(Introductions and Announcements)
Closing Prayer
(Elena and All) We give thanks for this banquet of love, this feast of joy, this miracle of our oneness with all in Christ. May we rejoice that you are with us in the breaking of the bread. May this happy communion with you and with one another deepen our faith and love as we go forth to serve your people every day. Amen
Concluding Rite:
(Beth) We go forth
In the name of the Creator,
In the name of Jesus, our brother and friend,
In the name of the loving and transforming Holy Spirit always with us.
(Beth and All): Amen
(Elena) Please extend Your hands in blessing and sing the Blessing Song as our closing song.
Closing Song: Blessing Song by Jan Phillips
https://youtu.be/l1hFUfSb1Ww
May the blessing of peace be upon you, may peace be all you know,
may the blessing of peace be upon you, may it follow wherever you go.
Shalom, salaam, shaanti, pacem, May peace prevail on earth.
Shalom, salaam, shaanti, pacem, May peace prevail on earth.
(continue with joy, love, light)
____________________________________________________________________
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Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community
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Sarasota, FL 34233
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