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Saturday, November 16, 2019

Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community Liturgy, 33rd Sunday in Extraordinary Time, Presiders Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP and Patricia MacMillan, Music Minister: Linda Lee Miska, Lectors: Cheryl Brandi and Mary Al Gagnon



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.

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.

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.)