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Saturday, August 18, 2018

Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community Twentieth Week in Extra-Ordinary Time August 18, 2018 Presiders: Kathryn Shea, ARCWP and Anna Davis Music Minister: Linda Lee Miller



Theme: Be filled with the Spirit
Kathryn Shea ARCWP and Anna Davis co-preside at liturgy





                                                               
                         



Welcome and Centering Prayer

Presider:  We have all been created by the same Great Mystery.  We have all been shown by the example of Jesus of Nazareth how to live. We are all supported and strengthened by the Spirit on our journeys. In many important ways, we are all one. And at this time, we come together to share stories of Jesus, break bread, and express gratitude for all that we have and all that we are.    

Gathering Hymn:  Table of Plenty #310 vs. 1,3,4
Table Of Plenty by Dan Shutte sung by John Michael Talbot
Come to the feast of heaven and earth!
Come to the table of plenty!
God will provide for all that we need,
here at the table of plenty.

O come and sit at my table
where saints and sinners are friends.
I wait to welcome the lost and lonely
to share the cup of my love.

O come and eat without money;
come to drink without price.
My feast of gladness will feed your spirit
with faith and fullness of life.

My bread will ever sustain you
through days of sorrow and woe.
My wine will flow like a sea of gladness
to flood the depths of your soul.

Your fields will flower in fullness;
your homes will flourish in peace.
For I, the giver of home and harvest,
will send my rain on the soil.

Opening Prayer

All: O Lover of all, in our journeys into the heart of compassion…and that is you -- we celebrate the love that you continually unfold for us by your being in us -- in each one of us.  Help us to recognize and honor the “you” that is in the “me” of everyone.

You call us to see goodness and beauty everywhere and to live in harmony with all of creation. You call us to heal the wounds of hatred and violence, discrimination and oppression in our world. You call us to warmly welcome everyone with whom we come in contact as your presence among us. In communion with Jesus, our brother, and with the power of the Spirit, we will live your love poured out each day. Amen.

Community Reconciliation, Healing, and Transformation

Presider:  Compassionate God, to you all hearts are open, no desires unknown, and no secrets hidden.  Our desire is to be continually conscious of this in our own lives and recognize this in all we do with others.

All (with an outstretched arm):  May we reach deep within ourselves to hear Wisdom’s many messages, to faithfully understand them, and to respond to them with compassionate actions to our brothers and sisters.  May we emulate the virtues of pardon and peace that Jesus taught us so that we may- in turn - be more forgiving in our care for ourselves, for one another and for our planet Earth.
May we gather strength through the Divine Presence within us, to extend your merciful and forgiving presence that is your gift – through us – to everyone, everywhere - with whom you share your unending love.  Amen.


Gloria

Presider:  Let us give glory to our loving Holy One.
All (Sung):  Glory to God, glory, O praise God, Alleluia.  Glory to God, glory.
O praise the name of our God. (3X)
     
Liturgy of the Word

First Reading:  Proverb 9:1-16                  All:  Thanks be to God.
Psalm 34. Responsorial:  O taste and see that our God is good.
Second Reading:  Ephesians 5:15-20               All:  Thanks be to God.
Acclamation:  Celtic Alleluia 
Gospel:  John 6:48-58               All:  Glory to you, O God.  

Shared Homily and Community Reflections
Homily Starter
Kathryn Shea, ARCWP
Let me start by saying that today is an extra-ordinary day.  We will never again, in our lifetime, experience this date; 8/8/18!  Perhaps we should all buy a lotto ticket after liturgy and give half to MMOJ and ARCWP. 
So, our theme today is “be filled with the Spirit”.  I chose this as our theme because, of everything in the Readings, it just really jumped out at me, and I think it is so pertinent at this time.  I want to focus briefly on two questions today.  The first is, “What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit?” And the second is, “How do we stay filled with the Spirit?”
Regarding the first question, I think it starts with being filled with joy, deep gratitude, and humble love.  I think it also means being filled with a boldness to witness and speak out when evil is taking place around us, for as we heard, “these are evil days”.  Spirit also calls upon us to be mindful of our own selves; our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.  It’s impossible to be “filled with the Spirit” when our hearts are filled with envy, hate, egocentrism, and greed.  I want to take just a moment to differentiate between hate and anger.  Hate is an extreme emotion of hostility usually deriving from fear, anger, or loathing.  I don’t hate anyone. 
Anger, on the other hand is a normal emotional response aroused by a wrong, wrath, or ire.  We should be angry at what’s occurring in our world.  It’s an appropriate response that should move you to action and not let it fester in you soul.  There are several stories of Jesus getting angry in the Scriptures.  He got angry at hypocrisy and greed.  He overturned tables in the Temples. It’s okay to be angry. 
We heard in both the first and second readings that we must not act like fools, but as wise and thoughtful people so that we may live and walk the path of understanding.  This is to walk the path of Spirit. 
In response to the second question, I think being filled with the Spirit is a continual process, not a one-time thing, like “Boom” you’re Spirit filled!
First, we must remain open to receiving Spirit and then inviting Spirit, knowing Spirit will never deny our invitation.  And then…making sure our bodies, hearts, and minds are clean and healthy for Spirit to enter.  I don’t think this is easy, at least it is not always for me in these very trying times when we have people in power acting like fools. 
We are further instructed not to drink wine.  I’m not so sure I agree with that one, just saying.  I would agree, we should not get drunk on wine.  And I think today we might also hear Jesus say, “Don’t get drunk on the Kool-Aide either!” 
The instruction of “Do not continue in ignorance, but try to discern the will of God,” must guide all us all every day.  I am encouraged and hopeful about some recent news.  In July the Senate unanimously approved, I repeat UNANIMOUSLY (98-0), a resolution warning President Trump to not hand over any American diplomats or any other officials to the Russian government for questioning.  And just this week, the Senate again unanimously adopted a resolution declaring that the media is not “an enemy of the people”.  These are two important steps in speaking truth to power. 
I will close with some adapted readings in Galatians 5:16-24.  “So, I say, walk by the Spirit…If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” So let us focus on “being filled with the Spirit, meditating on psalms and spiritual songs, singing and making music to God in our hearts.” 
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So, I’m wondering what it means to you to be filled by the Spirit and how do you stay filled with the Spirit?

Profession of Faith
 
All:  We believe in the Divine Mystery, beyond all description and understanding, the heart of all that has ever existed, that exists now, or that ever will exist in the expanding universe. 

We believe in Jesus of Nazareth, the human Jesus, an enlightened soul who carried the message of God’s Word, who brought the ability to show us how to heal ourselves and others, who is the heart of God’s compassion.  He is the bright star in the firmament of God’s prophets, mystics, and saints. And it is through him that we become a new people with One story of salvation.  We are here to share his message;  that we are all holy, we were born holy, and we shall be holy forevermore. 

We believe in the Spirit, the one that inspires our innermost life.  She keeps the Anointed One present to all those who are searching for meaning and wholeness in their lives.
She strengthens our call to follow Jesus as a vehicle of God’s love.  She is the one who helps us reach within ourselves so that she can heal and energize us when our spirits may grow weary in our lives.

And we believe that God’s 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 take it to share with those around us.  
Prayers of the Community

Presider: With heads and hearts mindful of God’s unconditional love embedded in each one of us, let us bring our needs and those of our community forward.  After each intercession, we respond:  We awaken to your call.    (Intentions are mentioned here.)

Presider:  That those who suffer abuse, may be healed and empowered, we pray.
R. All:  We awaken to your call. 
Presider:  That those bound by hatred, hostility, and violence will be set free, we pray.  R.  
Presider:  That the sick may be healed, especially (mention names), we pray.  R.   
Presider:  That those who have gone ahead of us and dwell forever in their heavenly home, we pray. R. 
Presider:  And for whom else do we pray at this time?  Other Intentions followed by R.

Presider: We hold these and all our unspoken intentions in our hearts and take them with us when we will gather around the Banquet Table. 

Offertory Song:  In This Place. #308 vs. 1,2,4


Presiders: Blessed are You, God of all creation.  Through Your goodness we have this bread and wine to offer, gifts from your creation, the earth, together with the work of human hands. They will become for us our spiritual food and drink. All:  Blessed be God forever.

Presider:  Lift up your hearts.  
All:  We lift them up in tender love, open to serve.

Presider:  Let us give thanks for all that we have.
All: It is our joy to be grateful for our many blessings as we gather at our family table.                       
                                                                            
Eucharistic Prayer

Presider:  Jesus, who has often sat at our tables, now invites us to be guests at this, his family table.  Everyone is welcome around the table of our God. 

Voice 1:  Gracious God, you have set the banquet table and have invited all of us to the feast of unending delight. Here we celebrate your divine love beyond what words can describe.  Your divine compassion connects us to the young and the old, the least and the last, to everyone, everywhere, on our journey into the heart of your mercy.  And we, your holy people, celebrate our oneness with you as we sing…

All: We are holy, holy, holy (3x), we are whole. You are…I am… We are (Karen Drucker)  

Voice 2:  We thank you, Holy Mystery, for the gift of Jesus of Nazareth in history –and the gift of Jesus in faith. You brought him from among your people to baptize us in your Spirit.  His life was moved by his vision of your presence in himself and in his mission, and he recognized you in everyone he met.  He showed us, through his example, not only how we should live, but also for what was worth dying.

Voice 3:  And when his time on earth had come, to a close, Jesus – aware of and accepting his destiny – gave up his life for the values that he deeply believed, lived and taught…his conviction that love is stronger than death.  And then, in providing an example of this wisdom for all people in the ages to come, he opened wide his arms…and died.  And the Spirit that lived in Jesus is resurrected in all of us who decide to live the new story.  Jesus is with us today as he will be through the end of time.

All:  We remember the gift that Jesus gave us on the night before he died. He gathered with his friends to share a final Passover meal. And it was at that supper that Jesus took bread, said the blessing and shared it with them saying:  take this all of you and eat it.  This bread is you; this bread is me.  We are one body, the presence of God in the world.  When you do this, remember me, and all I have taught you.   (pause a moment, then continue….)

All: In the same way, Jesus took a cup of wine, said the blessing and gave it to his friends saying: take this all of you and drink it.  This wine is you; this wine is me.  We are one blood, the presence of God in the world.  When you do this, remember me, and all I have taught you. 

Presider:  Jesus, who was with God “in the beginning of the creation of the heavens and the earth,” is with us now in this bread.  The Spirit, of whom the prophets spoke in history, is with us now in this cup.  Let us proclaim this mystery of our faith.
All:  The Anointed One lives in us and through us in the world today.

Voice 4:  God, we know that you bless your church throughout the world.  We, your people, desire to grow in our love and caring for Francis, our Pope, Bridget Mary, our Bishop, and with everyone we come in contact, especially those who live on the margins of church and society.    We remember also those, living and dead, who touched our lives and left their footprints on our hearts.  We remember especially….(mention names, if you would like to…

All:  We believe that the Spirit of God is at work in and among us and will do more than we can ever ask or imagine.    Amen. (sung, x times)

The Prayer of Jesus

All (sing): Our Father and Mother, who are in heaven, blessed is your name…...                                                  

The Sign of Peace

Presider:  God, we know that you give us peace and unity beyond what any words can express.  You are here with us as we join hands in a circle of love and sing our prayer: “Let there be peace on earth.” (#532)

Litany at 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 forgiveness and understanding, healing and compassion 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 and wine on the altar of the world. All are invited to eat and drink at this sacred banquet of love. 

All:  When we share in this meal, we, whom you created as worthy, commit to live your teachings, dear Jesus, and to tell your stories that allow Spirit to rise up within us and empowers us to bring the kin-dom of God to this world.  This is the good news of salvation.   

Presider:  Let us share and spread this good news!  ALL:  Amen.  (As we share this sacred meal, we say to one another with the passing of the bread, You are the love of God in the world.  When we share the wine we say, “You are the Face of God in the world.”)

Communion Music:  Instrumental  

Post Communion Meditation Hymn:  Abide-by Carrie Newcomer

Prayer of Thanksgiving after Communion

Presider: Holy One, may our participation in this meal, in which we share Jesus’s healing love, deepen our oneness with you and with one another.  May we share our bountiful blessings, knowing that God who embraces us always, always gives us all more than we need.  May we be grateful daily for all of our many blessings.  And may wonder and thanksgiving fill us with knowledge and understanding as we experience the infusion of your love and compassion in us, your sacred people. May we always be “filled with the Spirit”.   
All:  Amen

Introductions/Gratitudes/Announcements

Closing Prayer

All:  May we give and receive abundant love.
May our belief in love enrich and sustain us.
May we find wonder and miracle in the ordinariness of life.
May we experience joy in the Light burning within us.
May we know true peace in our minds and in our hearts.  (Michael Morwood; Prayers for Progressive Christians)

Closing Community Blessing  

All (extend an arm in mutual blessing):  We come together at this special time, moved by a light within us and within all people.  We believe that this light, this love within is the light of the Great Mystery.  It is the light we name God, Love, Creator, Infinite Spirit, Yahweh, Breath of God.  We, as a sacred community, bless one another, and all of our sisters and brothers, who are called to this Light and are led by Spirit.  May our Loving God be with us as we continue on our paths and follow in the footsteps of Jesus-for we are the face of God to the world.  Amen.

Closing Song:  We Are One in The Spirit- Peter Scholte, F.E.L.

We are One in The Spirit,
We are One in The Lord.
We are One in The Spirit,
We are One in The Lord.
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.


Chorus
And they'll know we are Christians by our love,
By our Love,
Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love.
 
We will work with each other,
We will work side by side.
We will work with each other,
We will work side by side.
And we'll guard each person’s dignity
And save each person’s pride.

Chorus

We will walk with each other,
We will walk hand in hand.
We will walk with each other,
We will walk hand in hand.
And together we'll spread the News
that God is in our land.

Chorus

Commissioning

Presiders: May we go forth and be filled with the Spirit of God in our world.  May we be compassion to the world.  May we be the light in the world for others. Let this be our mission…and let our service continue!
All:   Thanks be to God; let it be so.

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