 |
| from left to right: Theresa Rodrigues, Roman Rodrigues, Elena Garcia and Paddy Cooney |
Elena Garcia candidate for ARCWP wrote the liturgy, selected the readings and music.
Paddy Cooney, host for MMOJ at SCC, co-presided.
LIVE
IN THE JOY OF BEING LOVED
GATHERING SONG:
This
the day, this is the day that Our God has made, that our God has made, let us
rejoice, let us rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is
the day that our God has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
This is
the day this is the day that our God has made.
Presider: Let us begin in the name of our God
source of all being, Jesus our Living Eternal Word and Spirit Wisdom who heals
us and calls us to create and build peace. All:
AMEN
OPENING PRAYER:
Presider:
Gracious and Gifting God of Extravagant
Love.
Help us to be aware of your presence among us
as we gather again in this MMOJ community, much like the first followers of
Jesus, Your Beloved, after the Resurrection. May our ears, eyes, and hearts be opened to
your truth in the words and stories we will share this day. May the sharing of this
simple meal of bread and wine strengthen us to stand tall with conviction and
courage as “daughters and sons of Sarah and Abraham. And may the sacred
sacrament of our time together make us aware of your extravagant love poured
out daily and inspire us to live in the Joy of that Love. We ask this in
communion with Jesus, our brother and in the power of Your Spirit. AII:
AMEN
PENITENTIAL EXPRESSION AND
COMMUNITY FORGIVENESS
Sung: Where Charity and
Love Prevail (All 6 verses)
ALL: (with outstretched
arm) God, Mother and Father, lover of all, throughout his life Jesus revealed
that nothing can separates us from your unconditional love. You sent Holy
Spirit Sophia to give us the understanding, willingness and courage to love one
another. We ask you to grant us the grace of pardon and peace so that we may in
turn forgive each other our failures to care for one another and for our Earth.
We ask this in the name of Jesus our brother and Holy Spirit, our healer and
comforter. AMEN
LITURGY OF THE WORD
FIRST READING: THE MANY FACES OF JOY
The
joy of life reveals itself in many forms.
At
its most basic, joy is that special pang of pleasure that springs from
happiness.
It is that excitement from unrestrained
abandon as well, from being free.
It
is that thrill that comes from love.
It
is that peace that can descend when the spirit is moved.
It is that extraordinary feeling that is
triggered by the expectation of good.
It
is that jubilation that wells up when miraculous things occur.
It
is that awe when the size and scope of the world are felt.
It
is that arrow of delight that hits its mark when fulfillment is achieved. Joy
is
contagious.
It can spread like a forest fire, whipped by a
high, hot wind.
Joy
can be shared in a crowd. Or it can be savored all alone. Joy can bellow. Or it
can fall soft as a kitten’s tread. Joy can excite. Or it can comfort. Joy can
be sensuous. Or it can spring from intellect. Joy can bewitch. Joy can be
sweet. Or it can be zesty, euphoric, giddy.
It
can teach. It can heal. It can lay to rest old pain.
In
a world darkened by suffering and uncertainty, joy can brighten our heaven and
make life worth living again.
THESE
ARE WORDS WRITTEN BY PHILIP B. KUNHARDT Jr.
ALL: THANKS BE TO GOD
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: RESPONSE:
HOLY IS YOUR NAME
My soul rejoices in you, Yahweh,
and my spirit dances within your presence, my God,
because you who love mightily
look upon me,
one who stands with arms
stretched out toward you.
Holy is Your Name
From this day and forever all who
come to life,
One after one, shall remember me and
shall pray,
“Blessed are we when we open our
hearts and
receive in joy the seed of the
Everlasting One.”
Holy is Your Name
You are the gentle one who reaches
out in tenderness
from age to age
to caress with your hand the heads of those
who bend their necks.
With powerful arms you embrace each of us.
Holy is Your Name
The proud hearts that we hold out to
you,
You break and scatter.
You pull down the structures and
fantasies with which we fortify ourselves,
And you teach us the simple things.
When we are hungry you fill us with
good things.
When we are glutted you teach us
patience
That we may come hungry again to
your table.
Holy is Your Name
This day and forever you stand with
your people,
Those who remember your tenderness,
…. having given us your word, your
promise….
we remember your tenderness as we
walk in safety.
For you are Yahweh in whom we trust.
Taken from MIRYAM OF NAZARETH
BY Ann Johnson
BY Ann Johnson
GOSPEL: Sung: Glory
to God, Glory, O praise God Alleluia,
Glory to God Glory O praise the name of our God!
(SUNG BEFORE AND AFTER THE GOSPEL)
Glory to God Glory O praise the name of our God!
(SUNG BEFORE AND AFTER THE GOSPEL)
GOSPEL Reading: JOHN 15:9-15
As
the Father has loved me, so I have loved you.
Remain
in my love.
If
you keep my commandments you will remain in my love,
Just
as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and
remain in his love. I have told you this
so that my own joy may be in you
and
your joy be complete.
This
is my commandment:
Love
one another
As
I have loved you.
This
is the good news of our Brother Jesus
ALL: WE PRAISE YOU O GOD FOR TIME AND ETERNITY
SHARED HOMILY/ COMMUNITY REFLECTION
PROFESSION OF FAITH
ALL: We believe in a
God of extravagant love, who dwells within us, rejoices with us in our blessed
selves and who weeps with us in our struggles, loses and sufferings.
We believe that we
are one with all creatures great and small in a dynamic evolving cosmos.
We believe in Jesus
whose life, death and resurrection shows us how to live fully in the joy of his
love while serving our sisters and brothers, especially the outcasts and heavy
burdened.
We believe in Sophia
Spirit Wisdom who works through us for justice and peace and who strengthens us
to stand against oppression of all kinds whether based on gender, age, sexual
orientation, race or class, without exception.
We believe that we
are called to live in mutual respect as disciples and equals in inclusive
communities of empowerment.
We believe that we
are forgiven, healed and whole in the heart of divine mercy.
We believe that we
are united forever with all who have gone before us in the communion of saints.
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
Presider: With hearts filled with loving trust
and in humility, we lift up the needs of our community at this time.
(After each intercession please respond) ALL: GOD OF EXTRAVAGANT
LOVE HEAR OUR PRAYER
Presider: That all
hatred, hostility and violence end in our country and throughout the world, we pray.
R.
Presider: That the
sick may be healed, especially (mention names), we pray. R.
Presider: That all
who have died dwell forever in God’s presence, especially (name names), we pray. R.
Other Intentions………
Presider: We lift up
to you O God these and all the unspoken intentions we hold in the silence of our
hearts as we gather around your Banquet Table today.
PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS
Presider: Jesus who
has often sat at our tables, now invites us to partake at his family table.
ALL: O God of extravagant love we, your people who live in
the joy of that love, are united in this sacrament by our common love of Jesus.
We are in communion with everyone everywhere, who shares your gift of love,
especially all those who are marginalized and oppressed. May we love tenderly,
do justice and walk humbly with you in solidarity with our sisters and brothers
everywhere. May we live as prophetic witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus,
supported by the vision that directed him, and the wisdom of the Spirit who enkindles
in us the fire of your love. AMEN
Presider: Blessed are you God, Source of all being,
through your goodness we have this bread, wine, all creation, and our own lives
to offer. Through this sacred meal may we become your new creation. ALL:
BLESSED BE GOD FOREVER.
Presider: God is with
us, loving and healing through us. ALL: NAMASTE
Presider: Lift up
your hearts. ALL: WE LIFT THEM UP IN
TENDER LOVE, OPEN TO SERVE.
Presider: Let us give
thanks to our God. All: IT
IS OUR JOY TO GIVE GOD THANKS AND PRAISE
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
VOICE ONE: Gracious Wisdom, You embraced us with
extravagant affection in our blessedness and brokenness. We thank you that in
this festive meal of unending delight, your Spirit continues to be poured out
among this circle of disciples. Yes, we are gathered here to give, receive
forgiveness, and offer each other the gift of your peace/shalom. Filled with the joy of being loved by you we
join with the angels and saints and people of every race, faith and nation to
glorify your presence as we sing:
ALL SING:
WE ARE HOLY, HOLY, HOLY…3X WE ARE WHOLE
YOU ARE HOLY, HOLY, HOLY…3X YOU ARE WHOLE
I AM HOLY, HOLY, HOLY….3X I AM WHOLE
WE ARE HOLY, HOLY, HOLY…3X WE ARE WHOLE
VOICE TWO: Gracious God in this moment we celebrate your
indescribable love for your evolving cosmos. Here your divine compassion
connects us to the young, the old, the least and the last, to everyone
everywhere on our journey into your heart of mercy.
VOICE THREE: We especially thank
you for Jesus, your anointed, who shows us how to love with a peaceful and
courageous spirit. In Jesus you show us how to care for those who face illness
and grief and how to help those who experience rejection, slavery and
marginalization. Jesus preached the good news to the poor, release to the
captives, recovery of sight to the blind and healing to the broken. Jesus
called women to be apostles and disciples and treated them as equals in his
circle of companions.
VOICE FOUR: In response to
people’s sufferings, Jesus broke rules and violated religious taboos. He shared
meals with women, saved a woman from being stoned and said that prostitutes
would enter heaven before religious leaders. He challenged the priestly class
and political leaders of his time and so they ridiculed, tortured and put him
to death. His life, death and resurrection shows us how to live freely and
joyously in the midst of injustice, darkness, evil and death.
(PLEASE ALL EXTEND
HANDS AS WE RECITE THE EPICLESIS AND CONSECRATION TOGETHER)
ALL: MAY YOUR SPIRIT, PRESENT IN THESE GIFTS AND IN US, FILL US WITH A NEW
OUTPOURING OF LOVE THAT MAKES US MORE DEEPLY ONE BODY IN THE COSMIC CHRIST
LIVING THE FULLNESS OF YOUR COMPASSION.
PRESIDER: On the
night before he was betrayed, Jesus gathered with his friends for a meal. He
took bread into his hands broke it and said:
ALL: TAKE THIS ALL OF YOU, AND EAT IT. THIS
BREAD IS YOU; THIS BREAD IS ME. WE ARE ONE BODY. DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
PRESIDER: In the same
way after supper, Jesus took the cup, raised it with love beyond all telling,
gave thanks, and sharing the cup with those at table he said:
ALL: TAKE THIS ALL OF YOU AND DRINK FROM IT.
THIS IS THE CUP OF MY LIFE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT WHICH WILL
BE SHED FOR EVERYONE. EVERYTIME YOU DRINK OF IT, REMEMBER ME.
PRESIDER: Jesus who was with God “in the beginning of
the creation of the heavens and the earth” is now with us now in this bread and
this cup. Now then, in sacred memory let us proclaim the mystery of our faith.
ALL: IN EVERY CREATURE THAT HAS EVER BREATHED,
WE SEE YOUR TENDERNESS; IN EVERY LIVING BEING THAT HAS PASSED ON BEFORE US WE
SEE YOUR GOODNESS; IN EVERYTHING YET TO BE CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN! IN OUR
BREAKING OF THE BREAD OF EARTH, CHRIST OF THE COSMOS IS BEING RE-MEMBERED! WE
LIVE IN THE JOY OF BEING LOVED BY OUR EXTRAVAGANT GOD!
VOICE FIVE: Holy One, your
transforming energy is always moving within us and working through us. We give
thanks for all holy women and men who have been your face in our lives. They
show us how to forgive self and other, let go of guilt and refrain from judging
others and see the good in people who irritate us. Let us pause to remember and
name some of these holy women and men aloud or in the silence of our hearts.
VOICE SIX: God who opens doors
and melts hearts of stone, enlighten our religious ministers and political
leaders. May they welcome refugees, transform poverty into plenty and work for
human dignity and justice for all. We
pray for Francis, our Pope, Bridget Mary, our Bishop and all God’s holy people.
VOICE SEVEN: We remember those who
are sick and suffering. May they be healed and strengthened, and filled with
every blessing in your loving presence. We remember Mary, mother of Jesus, Mary
of Magdala, Peter, Paul, Junia, our patron saints and all the saints and angels
who surround us with loving prayers each day. We remember our loved ones and
all those who have died in your embrace.
ALL: THROUGH CHRIST, WITH CHRIST, IN CHRIST, IN
THE UNITY OF SPIRIT WISDOM, ALL PRAISE AND GLORY ARE YOURS, LOVING GOD FOREVER
AND EVER. THE GREAT AMEN 3X
ALL: (HOLDING HANDS) OUR FATHER AND MOTHER WHO ARE IN
HEAVEN, BLESSED IS YOUR NAME, YOUR……..
ALL: GOD WE HAVE JUST PRAYED THAT YOUR KINDOM MAY
COME UPON US. GRANT THAT WE MAY OPEN OUR EARS TO HEAR IT, OUR HANDS TO SERVE
IT, AND OUR HEARTS TO MAKE IT REAL.
THE SIGN OF PEACE
Presider: Jesus, you said to your disciples, “My peace
I leave you, my peace I give you. “ Look on the faith of those gathered here
and…….
ALL: …. GRANT US YOUR PEACE. O GOD, FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE
OF JESUS AND WITH THE STRENGTH OF THE SPIRIT, HELP US SPREAD THAT PEACE
THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, TO EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE, NO EXCEPTIONS. AMEN
Presider: May the
peace of God be always with us, and now let us extend that peace to one another.
LITANY FOR THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD
Presider: Loving
God….
ALL: YOU CALL US
TO SPIRIT-FILLED SERVICE AND TO LIVE THE GOSPEL OF NON VIOLENCE FOR PEACE AND
JUSTICE. WE WILL LIVE JUSTLY.
PRESIDER: Loving God….
ALL: YOU CALL US TO BE YOUR PRESENCE IN THE WORLD AND TO
BE BEARERS OF UNDERSTANDING AND COMPASSION, FORGIVENESS AND HEALING EVERYWHERE
IN YOUR NAME. WE WILL LOVE TENDERLY.
PRESIDER: Loving God….
ALL: YOU CALL US TO SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER. WE WILL WALK HUMBLY WITH YOU.
Presider: This is
Jesus, who calls us to open doors that are closed and share our bread on the
altar of the world. All are invited to eat and drink at this sacred banquet of
love.
ALL: JESUS WE ARE
WORTHY TO RECEIVE YOU AND TO BE YOUR COMPASSION IN OUR WORLD. WE ARE THE BODY
OF CHRIST.
Presider: Let us share the Body of Christ with
the Body of Christ! ALL: AMEN
COMMUNION—
Prayers of Thanksgiving
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Presider: O God of
Extravagant Love, Jesus showed us how to love one another and heal our hearts.
Through the power of your liberating Spirit at work within us, we will give and
receive forgiveness, live joyously, and work for healing, justice and equality
for our earth and for all God’s holy people.
All: AMEN
CONCLUDING RITE
PRESIDER: Our God is
with you. ALL: AND ALSO WITH YOU
COMMUNITY BLESSING (EVERYONE PLEASE EXTEND YOUR HANDS IN MUTUAL BLESSING)
ALL: MAY THE GOD OF SARAH AND ABRAHAM
THE BLESSED ONE OF JACOB AND RACHEL,
AND SOPHIA, HOLY WISDOM, WALK
WITH US AND ALL CREATED LIFE
ON OUR JOURNEY INTO MYSTICAL UNION
WITH THE HEART OF OUR GOD OF
EXTRAVAGANT LOVE.
DISMISSAL
Presiders: Let us go
and live in the joy of being loved.
All: THANKS BE TO GOD
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