Kim Panaro, ARCWP, and Terry Kersch led the Upper Room's third week of Advent liturgy with the theme of Joy. In our Christian story/parable tradition we are constantly invited to live a life filled with joy. Yet as adults we know that the deep joy of our faith is rooted in an experience of the Holy One within the context of complex lives full of both joys and sorrows.
Terri's homily starter is below the readings. Kim and Terri asked the community to contemplate the readings and consider the following questions: What do you hear?, What will you do?, What will it cost you?
Opening Meditation: Mary Did you Know Sung by Dennis McDonald, ARCWP, and Joan Horgan.
First Reading:
In loving kindness, God has raised up witnesses in our midst. God is calling each of us to a more radical discipleship-one which will not be understood by the powerful of our day. We must be wise as serpents in naming and denouncing the evil which pervades our world. We must be filled with compassion with those for whom suffering from lack of basic necessities has become a way of life. We must be moved to action which will clearly identify us with the poor. Above all, let us not be filled with fear. Let us be filled with courage and hope, for “in the tender compassion of our God, the dawn shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
These are the inspired words of Sr. Melinda Roper and the community affirms them by saying: Amen.
In loving kindness, God has raised up witnesses in our midst. God is calling each of us to a more radical discipleship-one which will not be understood by the powerful of our day. We must be wise as serpents in naming and denouncing the evil which pervades our world. We must be filled with compassion with those for whom suffering from lack of basic necessities has become a way of life. We must be moved to action which will clearly identify us with the poor. Above all, let us not be filled with fear. Let us be filled with courage and hope, for “in the tender compassion of our God, the dawn shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
These are the inspired words of Sr. Melinda Roper and the community affirms them by saying: Amen.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119 Nan Merrill
L- O, how I love your friendship! I walk with You wherever I go. Your Love is the life-giving force of Creation, imbue us with your living rays of peace and joy.
R- For, as we surrender ourselves to Your living Presence, we will be filled with the radiance of Love. As we open our hearts to the spiritual Life, we will be filled with wisdom and freedom ready to serve.
L- O, how glorious are the ways of the Spirit! How wondrous are your Works! The path of love is sure, unhurried and filled with mystery.
R- How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your Mind I receive understanding; I no longer take pleasure in my former ways.
L- Yes, your Truth is a lamp to my feet and Light to my path. You give me strength as I descend into the inner sanctum, to uncover the hidden blessings, to seek the treasures of the Spirit.
R- When I am filled with fear, I meditate upon your LIght. I yearn to have every doubt and fear quelled and transformed; O Heart of all hearts, bless me with your healing Light, that I may be loving presence.
L- Though the ignorant lay snares for me, let me not stray from You. Your Word is my heritage forever; Yes, it is the joy of my heart. I shall open my heart’s ear to converse with you forever, to the end.
All- When I meditate upon your Light, My heart opens with compassion for all life.
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| Painting of Mary by Fr. Bruno Segatta - A gift from Fr. Bruno to the Upper Room |
Gospel Reading:
When the people asked him, “What should we do?”John replied, “Let the one with two coats share with the one who has none. Let those who have food do the same.”
Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to John, “Teacher, what are we to do?”
John answered then, “Exact nothing over and above your fixed amount.”
Soldiers likewise asked, “What about us?” John told them, “ Don’t bully anyone. Don’t accuse anyone falsely. Be content withy your pay.”
The people were full of anticipation, wondering in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah. John answered them all by saying. “I am baptizing you in water, but someone is coming who is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not fit to untie! This One will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire. A winnowing-fan is in his hand to clear the threshing floor and gather the wheat into the granary, but the chaff will be burnt in unquenchable fire” Using exhortations like this, John proclaimed the Good News to the people.
These are the inspired words from the gospel of Luke and the community affirms them by saying, Amen.
Third Sunday of Advent Homily Starter – Terri Kersch
When the people asked him, “What should we do?”John replied, “Let the one with two coats share with the one who has none. Let those who have food do the same.”
Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to John, “Teacher, what are we to do?”
John answered then, “Exact nothing over and above your fixed amount.”
Soldiers likewise asked, “What about us?” John told them, “ Don’t bully anyone. Don’t accuse anyone falsely. Be content withy your pay.”
The people were full of anticipation, wondering in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah. John answered them all by saying. “I am baptizing you in water, but someone is coming who is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not fit to untie! This One will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire. A winnowing-fan is in his hand to clear the threshing floor and gather the wheat into the granary, but the chaff will be burnt in unquenchable fire” Using exhortations like this, John proclaimed the Good News to the people.
These are the inspired words from the gospel of Luke and the community affirms them by saying, Amen.
Third Sunday of Advent Homily Starter – Terri Kersch
As I prayed
about this weekend… I have been thought filled about Joy…Not the giddy,
frivolous cheeriness often attributed to this season…but the deep inner warmth
exhibited by courage and willingness to grow in God’s love. Our theme evolved as Advent Joy – living
fully within the no longer and not yet
In the
previous weeks we have heard about the seed planted in dark soil. I believe we all have space (s) in our hearts
where darkness resides. But faith leads
us to believe this darkness - a place perhaps deepened by anxiety, loss, pain,
abandonment or simply shaky faith is creative darkness. A place where God already is…but needs to be
(re)discovered…
I am sure
that Mary, a very pregnant teenager did NOT know what was in store for her in
life… yet somehow she was able to summon the courage to CHOOSE to believe. Not only to believe, but she was willing to put her belief into action
sitting with a pregnancy and a long and probably bumpy journey on a donkey not
to mention the anxiety she experienced through her son’s brief life! She is a model of radical discipleship Sr.
Roper speaks of.
I am
compelled to ask myself if I have Mary’s courage, to look deeply into my own creative
darkness. Do I have the courage and hope
that Sr. Melinda Roper speaks of…the willingness to choose to sit with what lies
in darkness and not be filled with fear? Can I actively appreciate with joy that time
of waiting so that I can fully embrace the surprise that brings new sight.
And then,
Luke challenges me further. Looking deeply within is not good enough. He tells
me, with love and compassion I must show concern for others, and live with
honesty and integrity…
Our music
and readings bring me to two humongous questions:
Do I have
the courage to acknowledge the God within me and
Am I willing
to open my hands and heart to share that blessing with others…as Luke teaches…through
love and compassion…with honesty and integrity
I believe an
answer yes to these questions is the prescription for true joy…the God within
us and in our midst. We become a blessing to each…both giving and
receiving. When we choose to absorb all that is no longer
and richly and fully meet what is
not yet…I believe we become Joy.
Communion Song: I Am For You by Rory Cooney
https://youtu.be/0L7UomZ1teM
Closing Song: O Holy Darkness, Loving Womb by Jann Aldredge-Clanton https://youtu.be/HTdZyBcg9iw
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