Mary Mother of Jesus at Sun City Center February 5, 2015 Celebration of the 5th Anniversary of Katy Zatsick ARCWP Ordination to the Roman Catholic Priesthood (Feb 6 2010) “Rabbi, Teacher, Priest”

Katy Zatsick in alb and stole in the middle of MMOJ Sun City Community, Paddy Cooney on far right

The meaning of word Rabbi, Rabboni *

The meaning in Hebrew is “My Great One,” a title that took on the meaning “My master.” By 200 CE it had come to mean a “master” as opposed to “slave” and a master or teacher of students.  In the Christian testament “Rabbi” is used only in direct address to Jesus, not a title. The Gospel of John uses the title for teacher (1:38) Matthew implies that rabbis are teachers amongst the Jews (23:7-8). The address “Rabboni” in John 20:16 is probably employed to express familiarity and devotion.  In the Gospel of Luke only Judas Iscariot calls Jesus “rabbi”

The role of the Jewish Priest, the role of priest in the Christian Testament *

During the period of the ancestors (ca. 2000-1700 BCE) there was no official priesthood.  During the Hellenistic period (ca. 333 BCE to 70 CE) the priesthood dominated the nation. Priests were specially designated officials who served in the temple performing ritual function and conducting the sacrificial services.  As a prestigious, elite class the priests were also expected to preserve the holiness of the sanctuary and uniqueness of the people of Israel. The head of the temple, the high priest, was de facto head of the government of Judea….When a person suffered a disease or physical sign of impurity, the purification rites were performed by a priest.

After the rule of Herod the Great, the Roman prefects who ruled in Judea (6-41, 44-66CE) appointed high priests, many of whom are said to have bought the office.  The chief priests of Jerusalem are presented in all four Gospels as hostile to Jesus.  Acts 6:7 indicates that a great many of the priests in Jerusalem came to faith in Jesus. In time, some Christians transferred the role of the priest as mediator between God and humans onto Jesus, particularly the Letter to the Hebrews. Elsewhere, 1 Peter and Revelation identify Christian believers as the true priests of God. (1 Peter 2:5,9; Rev 1:6; 5:10, 20:6) …See reading below.

Please read the liturgy before our gathering and reflect on the theme.

Please answer these dialog homily questions and requests for prayers.

What is your understanding of the ministry of a priest or spiritual leader? 

What is your experience of a person or persons who have filled this role in your life?

What is the role of priest in the USA in the 21^st century?

What is the role of a RCWP in the USA in the 21^st century?  Characteristics and qualities?

What is the difference (s) between a RCWP and RCC liturgy? Or other church liturgy? Or spiritual gathering.  (Please write the differences down and Katy will collect)

Mary Mother of Jesus at Sun City Center

February 5, 2015

Celebration of the 5^th Anniversary of Katy’s

Ordination to the Roman Catholic Priesthood (Feb 6 2010)

“Rabbi, Teacher, Priest”

All: In the name of God who calls us to priesthood; our brother Jesus who is our Teacher, and Sofia gifting us with priestly ministry.  Amen

All: Opening Prayer:  

God of Faithfulness, enable us to give you thanks for the goodness to Katy, our sister.

Today she comes to rededicate the gift of priestly service which she first received from you.  Intensify within Katy your sprit of perfect love, that she may devote herself more fervently to the service of your presence within us and all of creation and the ministry of evolution of the human spirit. We ask this through our Brother Jesus your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. *

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First Readings: Wisdom and writing of Spiritual Leaders

Leonardo Boff, Franciscan Liberation Theologian: “Initially, even in the New Testament,” ecclesiastical ministry” is not defined in function of the Eucharist, but in function of the essential apostolicity of the community.  It is the preaching, admonition, upbuilding , solidification, and direction of the community that is decisive.  Being a minister basically has to do with the direction of the community.  Titles are of scant importance…. The community has the inalienable right to celebrate the Eucharist: “Do this as a remembrance of me” It does so through and with its president, who is president not simply because (she/he) has received (his/her) investiture through ordination. On the contrary, first (s/he) is called and designated by the community (Gr.: cheirotonia) this act is understood by the ancient church as manifestation of the Spirit in the community. …We may therefore conclude that a situation in which a community was unable to celebrate the Eucharist because there was no bishop or presbyter present was unthinkable in the early Church.”   

                                                  (Boff reviewing Edward Schillebeeckx on the priesthood p 66).

“We see God in Water, Sun, Air---everywhere” George Goodsriker, Kainai (Blackfoot) Elder Canada”  “How luxurious! God is everywhere.  How much more we could learn about God if we were open to the knowledge that pours into us every minute! What beauty there is in life---in the opportunity to interact with God in everything we do.  Such a life, indeed, becomes a living prayer.  When I see God in water, sun, air everywhere, I live with reverence with everything around me because I know that if I abuse or destroy any of God’s creation, I destroy my relationship with God.”

These too are the Word of God.  All Thanks be to God. 

                                                                    (From Native Wisdom for White Minds, February 1)

Community Psalm Response

All: Jesus you are blessing. May we be a blessing for the world.

Jesus you were a blessing to the poor, the meek, the wounded, and to all who received you.

All: Jesus you are blessing. May we be a blessing for the world.

Help us to be open to you and to know the meaning of your words for our time and place. Turn our minds and our very world of thought around, that we may creatively bring dignity and healing to our people and our planet.

All: Jesus you are blessing. May we be a blessing for the world.

Give us faith in the more that lies within and beyond what we can see and hear.  Teach us to care for another as you have cared for us, that like you, we may be a blessing for our world and praise to God our creator now and forever.

All: Jesus you are blessing. May we be a blessing for the world.

Second Readings (quoted in above definitions)  

Acts 6:7

The word of God continued to spread, while at the same time the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased enormously, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.   

1 Peter 2:5, 9

And you are living stones as well: you are being built as an edifice of spirit, to become a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ. ..You, however, are a “chosen people, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart” to sing the praises of the One who called you out of the darkness into the wonderful, divine light.”

Revelation 1:6; 5:10; 20:6

To Christ---who loves us … and who has made us to be a kindom of priests to serve our God and Creator---to Jesus Christ be glory and power forever and ever! Amen.

You made of (us) a kindom, priests to serve our God, and we will reign on the earth.

Happy and holy are those who share in the first resurrection!  The second death has no power over them.  They will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Christ for a 1000 years. 

The Word of God. All: Thanks be to God.

The Gospel according to Matthew 23: 8-12

“But as for you, avoid the title “Rabbi” for you have only one Teacher, and you are all sisters and brothers. And don’t call anyone on earth your “Mother” or “Father” You have only one Parent---our loving God in heaven.  Avoid being called leaders.  You have only one leader---the Messiah.  The greatest among you will be the one who serves the rest.” The Good News of Jesus our Brother.  All: Thanks be to Jesus our Brother and Savior.

Dialog homily

What is your understanding of the ministry of a priest or spiritual leader? 

What is your experience of a person or persons who have filled this role in your life?

What is the role of priest in the USA in the 21^st century?

What is the role of a RCWP in the USA in the 21^st century?  Characteristics and qualities.?

What is the difference (s) between a RCWP and RCC liturgy? Or other church liturgy? Or spiritual gathering.  (Please write the differences down and Katy will collect)

Blessing of Katy on her 5^th Anniversary

All raise their hands in blessing.

Each person will have time to offer a prayer for Katy and all the priestly People of God.

(Please write these down and Katy will collect or send to Katy before Thursday)

Anointing of each person as a priest of the People of God

Please reflect on how you are a gift for the People of God, what is your ministry?

What do you ask for your priestly ministry?

Prayers of the community

Response: All: As priests of God we call upon you, hear our prayer.

Offertory:

Blessed are you, God of all creation, through your goodness we have this bread to offer which earth has given and human hands have made.  This bread is our faith community living a ministry of teaching Love who is God.  May we individually and as a community be your priests and live your vision of justice, peace and healing for all.  This will become for us the bread of life.

All:  Blessed be God forever.

Blessed are you, God of all creation.  Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. This drink is our desire as priests to serve the People of God and to bring your love and truth to all and your earth.  This wine and juice will become our spiritual drink.

All:  Blessed be God forever.

My sisters and brothers let us pray together that our gifts may be acceptable to God our Creator.

All:  May God accept these gifts from our hands, for the praise and glory of God's name, and for our priestly ministry with the People of God.

Co-Presider:  Loving God of Evolution and creation, we give you thanks for the blessing of worshiping you as a community.  Accept our gifts and our worship.  By offering ourselves may we be filled with your spirit of truth, knowledge, and compassion every minute, every day for all people and the earth itself.  We ask this through Jesus Christ, our brother.

All:  Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer from Liturgy on Healing by Diarmuid O’Murchu.

Our Father/mother: sung

Sign of Peace…sung, Peace is flowing…Love is flowing…Alleluia, alleluia…

The bread is broken.

All: This is our Creator who is Compassion and Love, who calls each of us to a ministry of teaching, healing and sharing our Way who is Jesus. May we be who we are--the Body of Christ.  May we be what we eat--the Body of Christ. Amen

Passing the bread “We are the Body of Christ.”

Passing the wine “We are the Blood of Christ”

Prayers of thanksgiving and final thoughts

Blessing. Raise hands in mutual blessing

All: God of love, on this joyful anniversary celebration you have fed us the Body and Blood of Jesus our brother, teacher, rabbi, priest.  Refreshed by this spiritual food and drink, may our sister Katy and the People of God advance happily on that journey which began in you and leads to you. Amen

Co-Presiders: Go in the peace of Christ, let our priestly service begin!

All: Thanks be to God.

*Opening prayer and closing blessing adapted from “The Sacramentary”  pg 1150 “Anniversary of religious profession;”  Definitions of Rabbi and Priest from Harper Collins “Bible Dictionary” revised and updated 2011; Community psalm response adapted from “Peoples Companion to the Breviary, The liturgy of the hours with inclusive language” pg 355 Prayer.