The Woman At the Table of Embracing Love" A Eucharistic Prayer by Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP

Luke 7: 36-50 "I tell you her sins though many have been forgiven, see how much she loves."

http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/bad-girls-of-the-bible-the-sinful-woman/#sthash.Xk6YhD0b.dpuf 

"She did not speak her faith- no verbal confession, no sinner's prayer was recorded here- but she certainly demonstrated her love for a God who forgives completely. May we go and do the same!"

Eucharistic Prayer: 

Holy One, it is right that we give you thanks and praise at this table of embracing love. Your empowering presence is revealed in the friendship meals where Jesus dined with tax collectors, lepers, sinners, and women. Here no distinctions are made between the sinner and the righteous. All are accepted,  loved and forgiven.

 Love of the Ages, Jesus treated women and men as beloved and equal disciples. As we gather around this table, we once again recall Jesus’ encounter with the woman of questionable character whose passionate love reflected a God who forgives everything. 

See meditative reading : http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/bad-girls-of-the-bible-the-sinful-woman/#sthash.Xk6YhD0b.dpuf

In joyful thanksgiving for your extravagant affection to all of us, we join with the angels and saints in an unending hymn of praise:

We are holy, holy, holy by  Music by Karen Drucker

 Through sacred meals, Jesus taught his disciples how to love and forgive, heal and empower. Jesus was deeply moved by the ministry of a broken woman in Luke’s Gospel who washed his feet with her tears and anointed them with oil. He praised her great love and said that those who love much are forgiven much. At this friendship meal, Healing Spirit, we come as we are with our failures, trusting that your love flows through us as we give and receive forgiveness.

As we come together in memory Jesus, we pray that Your Spirit will come upon these gifts of bread and wine and upon us, that we may become the body and blood of Christ blessed, broken and shared.

(pause as bread is lifted)

 We remember how, on the night before he died, Jesus was at table with those he loved. He took bread and blessed you, God of all creation. He broke the bread shared it with his friends and said, "Take this, all of you and eat it. This is my body which will be given for you."

(pause as wine is lifted)

 Then Jesus took the cup of blessing, spoke the grace, and offered them the wine:

“Take and drink the covenant renewed in my blood, for you and for everyone, When you do this you remember me.”

Memorial Acclamation:

The Body of Christ is blessed, broken and shared every time we forgive.

The Body of Christ is blessed, broken and shared every time we ask for forgiveness. 
The Body of Christ is blessed, broken and shared every time we serve others.

 Heart of Love, we celebrate this feast in memory of Jesus, our brother. We cherish the memory of the sinful woman who ministered to Jesus. She reminds us that we too are beloved, wounded healers, the face of God, through whom the Spirit speaks and works each day.

 Creator of the Universe, your love flows through all beings to heal our earth. As we ask forgiveness of the Earth for environmental destruction, your sacred energy transforms the cosmic Body of Christ. (Pause now to pray for forgiveness aloud or in the silence of your heart)

 Energizing Spirit, one with the cloud of witnesses who have gone before us, we labor for justice and equality. As your hands and feet serving a suffering and violent world, we are instruments of your peace and empowerment.

Through Christ, with Christ and in Christ,

All glory and honor is yours, loving God

Forever and ever.

Great Amen.

We pray with Jesus: Our Father and Mother….

 Sign of Peace: Let us offer one another a sign of peace

Litany of the Breaking of the Bread

 Loving God, we will give and receive forgiveness, Namaste

Loving God, we will be instruments of healing, Namaste

Loving God, we will be the face of God’s compassion, Namaste

Communion

 There is room at the table for everyone. Let us share the Body of Christ with the Body of Christ.

Communion Song: Blessing Song  (Kiss of Peace)

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) © Jan Phillips 2012

Prayer After Communion

Nourished at this open table where all are welcome, may we share abundant love and forgiveness with everyone. Go, now and live the Gospel of Jesus!!

Prayers of Gratitude and Announcements.

Final Blessing:

We love, forgive and bless one another in the name of God, our Creator, Jesus our brother, and the Holy Spirit, our Wisdom.

Recessional: