Theme:
Be fearless in testifying to the Gospel, trust Christ to
speak and act through you in disruptive times.
Welcome and Greeting
Presider 2: Welcome to Mary
Mother of Jesus, an inclusive Catholic Community where all are welcome to share
Eucharist at the Banquet Table. We use inclusive language in our scripture
readings and prayers. We invite sharing at the homily that is related to our
readings and respectful, as well as the prayers of the community Everyone
prays the words of Consecration in the Eucharistic Prayer. We welcome our
newcomers at the announcement time after Communion. All are invited
to join us for supper after liturgy.
Opening
Song: We Are Called by David Haas #617, vs. 2-3
Communal
Reconciliation Rite
Presider1: We
pause now to remember the times we have not born fruit in our fearless
testimony and actions to the Gospel. Recall one missed opportunity, one
imperfection, one challenging moment when things have gone wrong. Now imagine
this situation in the light of the Christ Presence creating new possibilities
where forgiveness and healing can occur. (Instrumental music plays softly in
this time of reflection.)
Presider1:
Please extend arm over community)
All:
We open ourselves to the power of the Christ Presence enabling us to forgive
ourselves and others with a largeness of
soul that frees and empowers us to be loving and without fear no matter what is
happening in our world.
Gloria:
Glory to God glory, o praise God alleluia, glory to God, glory, o praise the
name of our God.
Opening
Prayer
Presider
2: Holy One, you reveal your presence as the One who gives us courage in times
of turmoil. We embrace the imperfections and the holy messes in our lives. We
trust that you will speak and act through us as we live the Gospel without fear
in the chaos of our Church and world today.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading: Malachi 3:19-20
Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven when all the proud and
all evil doers will be stubble,
And the day that is coming will set them on fire,
Leaving them neither root or branch, says the Holy One.
But for you, will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays.
These are the inspired words of the prophet Malachi, and we
affirm them by saying, Amen.
Responsorial
Psalm: 98 Adapted from Nan Merrill
Response:
Sing to God a brand new song.
By the
strength of Your Indwelling Presence,
We,
too, are called to do great things.
We are
set free through Love’s forgiveness and truth.
All
the ends of the earth have seen the glory of Love’s eternal flame.
Refrain:
Sing to God a brand new song.
Make a
joyful noise to the Beloved,
all
the earth.
Break
forth into grateful song,
And
sing praise.
Yes,
sing songs of praise, extolling Love’s way;
Lift
up your hearts with gratitude and joy.
Refrain:
Sing to God a brand new song.
Let
the waters clap their hands;
let
the hills ring out with joy.
Before
the beloved who radiates love to all the earth;
For
love reigns over the world with truth and justice
Bringing
order and balance to all creation.
Refrain:
Sing to God a brand new song.
Second Reading: A Reading from Abiding Word by Barbara Reid
The
reverie of the onlookers in today’s gospel is broken suddenly by Jesus’
declaration that not one stone would be left upon another. As a Jewish
reformer, Jesus frequently spoke and acted in ways that called into question
religious structures, both external and internal, that impeded right
relationship with God and one another. But for any Jew, the destruction of the
temple by Roman imperial forces would provoke a severe crisis. Everything would
have to be resignified. The temple symbolized their connection with God and
with their fellow believers. Luke’s gospel, of course, was written some fifteen
years after the temple had been razed. We can imagine the struggles of the
Jewish Christian members of the Lukan community who had to redefine their
Jewishness, not only in the absence of their temple, but also as members of a
mixed community of Gentile and Jewish followers of Jesus…In today’s gospel
there is a progression as the discussion moves from the destruction of the
temple to cataclysmic happenings that wreck destruction on the earth and among
peoples, and finally to threats against one’s life. Jesus’ audience does not
ask if such will happen. Rather they ask when it will come about and if they
will have advance warning. Jesus never answers those questions. Instead directs
his listeners how to respond to these crises. If they are following him then
they too will say and do things that threaten some of the political and
religious structures of their day. Any who claim his name will surely
experience the same kind of fury that was directed at him for doing such
things.
These
are the inspired words of scripture scholar, Barbara Reid, and we affirm them by saying, Amen.
Gospel Acclamation: Spirit of the Living God by Michael Crawford
Spirit
of the Living God
Fall
afresh on us
Spirit
of the Living God
Fall
afresh on us.
Melt
us, mold us
Fill
us, use us
Spirit
of the Living God
Fall
afresh on us.
Gospel: Luke 21:5-19
One day people were standing around talking about the that theTemple,
remarking how beautiful it was, the splendor of its stonework and memorial
gifts. Jesus said, “ All this you’re admiring so much- the time is coming when
every stone in the building will end up in a heap of rubble.”
They asked him, “Teacher, when is this going to happen? What clue
will we get that it’s about to take place?”
He said. “watch out for the doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are
going to show up with forged identities claiming, “I’m the One,’ or, “the end
is near.” Don’t fall for any of that. When you hear of wars and uprisings, keep
your head and don’t panic. This is routine history and no sign of the end.”
He went on, “Nation will fight nation and ruler fight rule, over
and over. Huge earthquakes will occur in various places. There will be famines.
You’s think at times that the very sky is falling.
“But before any of this happens, they’ll arrest you, hunt you down
and drag you to court and jail. It will go from bad to worse., dog-eat-dog,
everyone at your throat because you carry my name. You’ll end up on the witness
stand, called to testify. Make up your mind right now not to worry about it.
I’ll give you the words and wisdom that will reduce all your accusers to stammers
and stutters.
“You’ll even be turned in by parents, brothers, relatives and
friends. Some of you will be killed. There’s no telling who hate you because of
me. Even so, every detail of your body and soul- even the hairs of your Head!-
is in my care, nothing of you will be lost. Staying with it- that’s what is
required. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry, you’ll be saved.”
These are the inspired words of Luke, disciple of Jesus, and
we affirm them by saying, Amen. (Translation from The Message by Eugene
H. Peterson)
Gospel Acclamation: Spirit of the Living God by Michael Crawford
(repeat)
Homily Starter: Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP
Disruptive events
can be divine encounters. When we face shocking headline news, financial
crisis, tragic loss, family disagreements, unpleasant conflicts, we
can discover something new about God and ourselves. When these unexpected
challenges occur, they can be invitations to grow in trust in God and in love
with one another.
This is the
situation in today’s Gospel. The author of Luke writes for a community in
turmoil. The temple had been destroyed in 70AD. The ground beneath their feet
is shaking as they face upheaval and persecution for following the Way of
Jesus. Scripture scholar Dominic Crossan describes this time of upheaval as one
of great uncertainty. The future of Christianity is changing from Jewish
Christianity to Roman Christianity. The Gospel of Luke portrays the Holy Spirit
coming upon Jesus and his journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. In Acts, Luke
describes the outpouring of the Spirit upon the followers of Jesus as the
headquarters of Christianity moves from Jerusalem to Rome.
During this
disruptive time of turmoil, the disciples are seized and persecuted because of
their witness to the Way of Jesus. In the Gospel, Jesus assures his followers
not to be afraid because they will be given the words and wisdom they need. He
affirms that God’s power will speak through the disciples and guide them to
courageous action on behalf of the kindom.
So, my sisters and
brothers, Jesus’ words encourage us that disruptive times can be grace-laden
times of divine encounter. We have divine power within us that
enlightens our minds, softens our hearts and strengthens our determination to
serve others. Each of us and all of us together are the Christ Presence in our
world. The love and wisdom of the Holy One leads us on the path to
healing, hope and renewal - no matter what turmoil or holy messes we face in our communities, church or world.
Homily sharing:
Jesus
encouraged his listeners to trust that God will give us the wisdom and courage to
live the Gospels in turbulent times. Share one example of divine power at work in our community, church or world.
Statement
of Faith
Presider
2: Let us pray together our Statement of Faith
All:We believe in the Holy One, a divine mystery
beyond all definition and rational understanding,
the heart of all that has ever existed,
that exists now, or that ever will exist.
We believe in Jesus, messenger of the Divine Word,
bringer of healing, heart of Divine compassion,
bright star in the firmament of the Holy One's
prophets, mystics, and saints.
We believe that We are called to follow Jesus
as a vehicle of divine love,
a source of wisdom and truth,
and an instrument of peace in the world.
We believe in the Spirit of the Holy One,
the life that is our innermost life,
the breath moving in our being,
the depth living in each of us.
We believe that the Divine 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 make it happen.
beyond all definition and rational understanding,
the heart of all that has ever existed,
that exists now, or that ever will exist.
We believe in Jesus, messenger of the Divine Word,
bringer of healing, heart of Divine compassion,
bright star in the firmament of the Holy One's
prophets, mystics, and saints.
We believe that We are called to follow Jesus
as a vehicle of divine love,
a source of wisdom and truth,
and an instrument of peace in the world.
We believe in the Spirit of the Holy One,
the life that is our innermost life,
the breath moving in our being,
the depth living in each of us.
We believe that the Divine 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 make it happen.
Prayers of The Community
Presider 1: As we prepare for the
sacred meal, we bring to this table our blessings, cares and concerns.
Our response is: Holy One, You hear us.
At the end of prayers:
Presider 2: We pray for these and all
unspoken concerns. Amen.
Procession
of Gifts and Song
Blest
are They by David Haas #631
(Presiders
lift up the bread and wine)
Presider
1: Blessed are you, God of all life, through your goodness we
have bread, wine, all creation, and our own lives to offer. Through this sacred
meal may we become your new creation as we respond to your call to use our
gifts in loving service to our sisters and brothers.
All: Blessed be God forever.
Presider
2: All are welcome to join us around the table.
LITURGY
OF THE EUCHARIST
Presider 1: God is within you, blessing the world through you.
All: And also within you.
Presider: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up in the Holy
One.
Presider2: O Holy One, we trust in your
power to speak and act through us in times of crisis that shake our world. We
will keep our eyes fixed on Jesus in all holy messes and our hands reaching out
in loving service to our sisters and brothers. With all believers who have gone before us, we
lift up our hearts and sing:
All: We are holy, holy, holy by Karen Drucker
Voice
1: Holy One, we celebrate the life of your son and our brother,
Jesus. He lived his life and walked forward to his death knowing that you were loving
him. We testify to the power of God who speaks and acts through us in times of
crisis.
Voice 2: We
pray for compassion for all human beings, to feel empathy and love for
everyone, especially the stranger and all those who are on the margins and who
need our tender care. We pray for courage to be like Jesus who challenged
religious and civic authorities by his
manner of living and loving all who came to him.
Voice 3: .
Opening ourselves up to your Spirit, we are confident in your power speaking
and acting through us in promoting the
coming of the kindom of truth and love in our world. We arise trusting you to
help us overcome fear and rejection in times of upheaval as we work tirelessly
for justice and equality in our world.
All: On
the night before he died, Jesus gathered for the Seder supper with the people
closest to him. Like the least of household servants, he washed their feet, so
that they would re-member him.
Presider
1: (lifts bread as community prays the following:)
All: When he returned to his place at the
table, he lifted the Passover bread, spoke the blessing, broke the bread and
offered it to them saying:
Take and eat of the Bread of Life
Given to strengthen you
Whenever you remember me like this
I am among you. (pause)
Presider
2: (lifts the cup as community prays the following:)
All: Jesus then raised a cup of blessing,
spoke the grace saying:
Take and drink of the covenant
Made new again through my life in you.
Whenever you remember me like this,
I am among you. (pause)
All: Let
us share this bread and cup,
Christ
dies, Christ rises and Christ comes again and again.
Voice 4: We
are called to do everything Jesus did, to be the living presence of a love that
does justice, of a compassion that heals and liberates, of a joy that generates
laughter, of a light that illumines right choices and confronts the darkness of
every injustice and inequity.
All: So,
we trust you, O Holy One, to continue to share with us your Spirit, the Spirit
that filled Jesus, for it is through his life and teaching, his loving and
healing all honor and glory is yours forever and ever.
All
sing: Amen.
Presider
1: Let us pray as Jesus taught us:
All:
Our Father and Mother ….
Sign
of Peace
Presider
2: Let us hold hands and sing “Peace is flowing like a River” as we
pray for peace and justice to spread through our world.
Prayer
for the Breaking of Bread
Presider
1: Please join in the prayer for the breaking of the
bread:
(Presiders
break the bread)
All: O
God of Courage, You call us to live the Gospel of peace and
justice. We will live justly.
O God
of Compassion, You call us to be Your presence in the world. We will
love tenderly.
O God of Truth, You call us to speak truth to power. We will walk with integrity in your presence.
O God of Truth, You call us to speak truth to power. We will walk with integrity in your presence.
Presider
2: This is the bread of life and the cup of blessing. Through
it we are nourished and we nourish each other. All are welcome to the Feast.
All: What
we have heard with our ears, we will live with our lives; as we share
communion, we will become communion, both Love’s nourishment and Love’s
challenge.
Communion
Song: Instrumental and
Community
Song: Be Not Afraid by Bob Dufford # 432
Presider
1: Prayers of Gratitude, Introductions and Announcements
Blessing
Presider
2: Let us raise our hands and bless each other.
All: May
you be blessed with a restless discomfort about easy answers, half-truths, and
superficial relationships.
May
you seek truth boldly and love deeply within your heart.
May
you continue to be the face of the Holy One to all you meet.
May
your name be a blessing in our time.
Closing Song: #414 Sing a New Church by
Michelle Sherliza and Delores Dufner
(Adapted by Bridget Mary from Liturgy written by Bridget
Mary Meehan and Mary Theresa Streck.)