Let us rejoice todayas we celebrate the powerful legacy of Mary Magdalene, our companion on the journey to the full equality of women.
We remember:
Mary’s legacy as Prominent Leader among Jesus’ followers
In Luke 8:1-3 Mary Magdalene heads a list of women who funded Jesus’ mission and who accompanied him around Galilee to his death in Jerusalem.
Even though, Pope Gregory the Great portrayed Mary Magdalene as a sinner in 591, and this false label lasted for centuries, the New Testament never identifies her as a fallen woman.
According to the canonical Gospels, Mary’s legacy was one of accompaniment- being present -taking initiative- participating in- partnership in Jesus ministry.
In the Gospel of Mary, a sacred text discovered in the 19th century, which scholars believe was written around the same time as the Gospel of John, women were teaching and leading in faith communities. Until the discovery of the Gospel of Mary there was no known gospel ascribed to a woman.
We remember:
Mary’s Legacyas Apostle to the Apostles.:
In John’s Gospel, the Risen Christ chose Mary as the apostle to the apostles- to “go and tell” the good news to the other disciples.(John 20:11-18)
St. Thomas Aquinas , Doctor of the Church, called Mary Magdalene a prophet and said that she had the office of an apostle because shewas the first one to see the Risen Christ.
In Eastern Christianity, Mary Magdalene has always been identified “as equal to the apostles. “
In 2016, Pope Francis affirmed St. Mary Magdalene as a "true and authentic evangelizer,"and declared July 22 a feast day on the church's liturgical calendar.
We remember:
Mary’s Legacy as Teacher of Apostles and Theologian in Residence.
In the Gospel of Mary, Mary sharesa vision in which Jesus praises her for her faithfulness and insightful understanding of his teaching.Mary Magdalene offers a legacy of spiritual leadership in which women reshape religious thought and experience with wisdom and creativity.
Scholar Dr. Jane Schaberg writes: “Mary Magdalene can be considered a -or the- founder of Christianity, if one wants to use such a term; that she was a ‘creator of the Christian belief in the resurrection,’ and has a better claim than Paul to the title ‘the first great interpreter of Jesus.’” (Jane Schaberg,The Resurrection of Mary Magdalene, 303)
Mary’s teaching affirmsthe heart of Christ’s teaching is to clothe ourselves with the perfect human. We are human, divine and spiritual equals.
This gospel conveys the idea that direct access to God by anyone is possible through the Spirit. Her theology emphasizes the meaning of the Risen Christ and his role as teacher rather than judge and ruler. No hierarchical order of power, rule -making or enforcing is found in this Gospel.
So today, we carry her legacy as we teach and preach the Gospel of Jesus’ loveand compassion. Our purpose is to experience the infinite love within us in our humanity and divinity that make us whole and transforms our lives. There is no spiritual power outside of us than the voice of the Spirit within us. We are all spiritual equals.
In this Gospel, we see the tension that arises from Peter’s words that still echo in patriarchal power and domination over women in the Church today:
Peter said "how is it possible that the Teacher talked in this manner with a woman about secrets of which we ourselves are ignorant? Must we change our customs and listen to this woman? Did he really chose her and prefer her to us?"
In her book The Resurrection of Mary Magdalene,Dr. Schaberg argues that Mary Magdalene is a successor to Jesus and a challenge to the primacy of Peter. She maintains that it was Peter’s jealousy that blocked Mary’s ascendancy and that a Magdalene Christianity would have been more inclusive and egalitarian and less hierarchical than the 2000 year history of patriarchal domination.
I agree.
We rejoice that Mary Magdalene’s legacy appears in books, films social mediaacross the world. There are thousands of celebrations this week -like Magdalene Rising- occurring this week. Her energy is rising up in the hearts of people everywhere!
We experience her energy when:
- we affirm women’s moral agency and primacy of conscience.
-we ordain women deacons, priests and bishops to serve God’s people in inclusive communities in the Catholic Church!
-we live Jesus’ teachings as spiritual equals- fully human and divine- God’s holy people.
So today, let’s celebrate Mary Magdalene’s legacy in our mutual trust and partnership in Jesus’ mission of promoting God’s inclusive, extravagant love.
May Mary Magdalene’s energy rise up in us and inspire us to create a renewed model of Church, promote justice, the flourishing of humanity, andthe healing of Earth!
Theme: We should clothe ourselves with the perfect Human, acquire it for ourselves as he commanded us, and announce the Good News.
(Gospel of Mary 10:11-13)
Welcome:
A warm welcome to our Liturgy celebrating Magdalene Rising. You are invited to participate in the prayers and homily and to share Communion. All you will need is bread, wine or juice. Our Eucharistic feast at the Table of Boundless love and kinship is open to all.
Presider 1:We gather in celebration of Mary Magdalene and countless other women who came before us – our foremothers in faith -- whose too often forgotten stories instruct and inspire us.
We gather in solidarity with women throughout the world, whose demands for justice and inclusion call us to conversion.
We gather in hope for our church, that - with our help - it might become a place of radical inclusion and justice, and equality without qualification.
Gathering Song: Women of the Church by Carey Landry
Presider 2: Like Mary Magdalene, we rejoice that our spiritual power to live the Gospel is rooted in the presence of Spirit within each and all of us. Like Mary Magdalene, we rejoice that our oneness with Christ frees us from rules, projections and expectations that limit our ability be a radiant reflection of the Holy One’s love and compassion. Like Mary, our call is to walk with Christ and to love as Christ. All: Amen
Communal Transformation Rite
Presider 1: We pause now to remember the times we have let false messages about our unworthiness cloud our vision of the infinite depth of love within us. Now imagine the imperfections, and chaos in your life and in our world illuminated by a love within you that is healing and transforming as you evolve and grow in awareness of your divinity and humanity.
(Pause briefly. Then extend arm over your heart)
Presider 1: Let us pray: I love you, I forgive you, I am sorry, I thank you.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading: “Mary Magdalene did not look away” by Cameron Bellm
Mary Magdalene did not look away, did not flee.
She stayed and she wept
And she fixed her gaze on the cross, on the tomb.
And because she did not look away,
Jesus, who told stories, became her story, too.
And because she did not look away, she heard him
When he said that the story hadn’t ended,
That despite a terribly tragic turn,
The story was really only just beginning.
His story was her story, and her story is our story—
A story of abiding, a story of prophetic witness,
A story of love unfathomably deep.
When we carry spices for anointing,
When we carry wine for celebration,
When we bear witness to love,
May we lift our voices, as she lifted hers—
Tell our story, tell her story, tell his story—
May we say, too, “We have seen the Lord.”
These are the inspired words ofCameron Bellm and we affirm them with, Amen.
Then Mary arose, embraced them all, and began to speak to her brothers:
“Do not remain in sorrow and doubt, for his Grace will guide you and comfort you.
Instead, let us praise his greatness, for he has prepared us for this.
He is calling upon us to become fully human .
Thus Mary turned their hearts toward the Good, and they began to discuss the meaning of the Teacher’s words.
Peter said "how is it possible that the Teacher talked in this manner with a woman about secrets of which we ourselves are ignorant? Must we change our customs and listen to this woman? Did he really chose her and prefer her to us?"
Then Mary wept, and answered him:
“My brother Peter, what can you be thinking?
Do you believe that this is just my own imagination, that I invented this vision?
Or do you believe that I would lie about our Teacher?”
At this, Levi spoke up: “Peter, you have always been hot-tempered, and now we see you repudiating a woman,vjust as our adversaries do.
Yet if the Teacher held her worthy, who are you to reject her?
Surely the Teacher knew her very well, for he loved her more than us.
Therefore let us atone, and become fully human so that the Teacher can take root in us.
Let us grow as he demanded of us, and walk forth to spread the gospel, without trying to lay down any rules and laws other than those he witnessed.”
(The Gospel of Mary Magdalene translated by Jean-Yves Leloup, section 1 vs. 13-20, section 2: 4-21, 9:4-8)
These are the inspired words of the Gospel of Mary, and we affirm them with, Amen.
Homily: Bridget Mary Meehan
(You will have time to share your thoughts in the chat at the conclusion of our liturgy)
Communal Statement of Faith
Presider 2: Let us pray together our Statement of Faith
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
Presider 1: As we prepare for the sacred meal, we bring to the table our prayers and intentions. Please place your intentions in the chat. ( silent pause for about a minute)
We pray for these and all unspoken intentions in our hearts. Amen.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Preparation Of The Gifts
Presider 1: Blessed are You, Holy One, through Your divine providence we have this bread, to share, the Bread of Life.
All: Blessed are You, Holy One, forever.
Presider 2: Blessed are You, O Loving One through Your divine providence we have this wine to share, our spiritual drink.
All: Blessed are, You, Holy One, forever.
Presider 1: Nurturing One, we are united in this sacrament by the love of Christ, whose presence we are as we proclaim the liberating power of your Spirit , in our humanity and divinity, calling us to build the unity of Love in a more compassionate and just world. All: Amen
Eucharistic Prayer
Presider 2: Your Spirit is rising up in all who work for humanity’s healing and well-being. With thankful hearts, in the company of all holy women and men, your liberating Spirit rises up within us, works through us and we sing:
Holy, Holy, Holy (adapted from Holy, Holy, Holy by Karen Drucker)
We are Holy, Holy, Holy…3x , You are Holy, Holy, Holy, I am Holy, Holy, Holy, We are Holy, Holy, Holy
Presider 1: O Heart of Love, Your Spirit moved through Mary Magdalene as she taught us that we are unified and undivided in continuous communion with you. Your Spirit moves through our humanity and our divinity. Your Spirit moves through the love within us, expanding out in widening circles to embrace all people and creation in our evolving universe.
Please extend Your hands in blessing.
Presider 2: You pour out Your Spirit Sophia anew upon this bread and wine and upon us as we become more deeply the Christ Presence in our world.
Presider 1: On the night before he died, Jesus came to table with his family and the women and men he loved. Jesus took bread blessed and broke it, saying,
“Take, eat, this is my body. Do this in memory of me.”
(pause)
Presider 2: After supper, Jesus poured a cup of wine and shared it with his friends, saying,
“This is the cup of the covenant of my love. As often as You drink of it, remember me.”
Presider 1: Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
All: Christ has died in all those who have passed away.
Christ is rising in all those working for the well-being of humanity.
Christ comes each day in our prayers and actions for a renewed world with justice and equality for all.
Presider 2: Embracing Presence, we remember all the companions who have gone before us: Mary, Mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and all holy women and men who are rising up in loving service to heal our world. We pause now to remember our personal communion of saints.
(pause)
(Presiders hold bread and wine)
Presider 1: We pray for all of us gathered here and like Jesus, we open ourselves up to your Spirit, for it is through living as he lived that we awaken to your Spirit within,
moving us to glorify you, at this time and all ways.
Amen.
Presider 2: Let us pray as Jesus taught us:
Holy One, you are within, around and among us.
We celebrate your many names.
Your wisdom come; your will be done,
unfolding from the depths within us.
Each day you give us all that we need.
You remind us of our limits and we let go.
You support us in our power, and we act with courage.
For you are the dwelling place within us,
the empowerment around us,
and the celebration among us,
now and forever, Amen.
Adapted by Miriam Therese Winter
Sign of Peace
Presider 1: Let us offer each other a sign of peace. Namaste, Namaste, Namaste
Communion
Presider 1: Please join in praying the Litany for the Breaking of the Bread All:
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.
Presider 2: This is the bread of life and the cup of blessing. Blessed are we who are called to Christ’s table.
All: We are the Body of Christ for the world.
Presider 1: Pease receive/share Eucharist now.
Communion Song: I am willing by Holly Near, video by Donna Panaro, ARCWP
Presider 2: O Divine Love, your transforming energy is within us and just as you called Mary Magdalene, you also call us to go forth and to share the good newsrising up within us. May Mary Magdalene, Tower of Strength, accompany us on our journey to live the fullness of our humanity and divinity in every moment of our lives. May we- like Mary- radiate the joy and peace of the Beloved One everywhere we go!
Concluding Rite
Presider 1: Please extend Your hands as we pray our final blessing.
May our lives radiate the love of the Holy One.
May we live justice and equality in our church and world.
May Mary Magdalene be our model of courage and faithful service.
May we be a blessing in our time. Amen.
Presider 2: We go forth in the spirit of Mary Magdalene, first apostle,
rejoicing that Love is within us.
celebrating Love outside of us.
We go forth, called to action, to move mountains!
Closing Song
Woman Spirit by Karen Drucker, video by Mary Theresa Streck and Juanita Cordero
