Mary, Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community
May 9, 2020
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Readers: Jim Brandi, Elena Garcia ARCWP, Joan Meehan.
Theme: With Jesus, We Build our Heavenly Dwelling Place
Welcome and Gathering
Presider 1: Welcome to our Zoom liturgy at Mary Mother of Jesus, an inclusive Catholic Community where all are welcome. We invite you to pray the liturgy and respond where it says “All.”
All participants will be muted during the liturgy except for the presiders and readers. Our readers are Jim Brandi, Elena Garcia and Joan Meehan. Thanks to Mary Theresa for being our IT for this liturgy.
During the shared homily we ask you to unmute yourself (red mic to white.) and then remember to mute yourself when finished. If two begin to speak at the same time, one please defer to the other.
Please have bread and wine/juice in front of you as we pray our Eucharistic prayer.
If anyone has visitors they would like to introduce to our community, please do so now. Raise your hand, unmute to do so.
Let us begin now with our gathering song: Sing a New Church
by Michelle Sherliza and Delores Dufner
by Michelle Sherliza and Delores Dufner
Opening Prayer
Presider 2: Loving God, you promise eternal life to your beloved daughters and sons. As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, open our minds and hearts to his message. Make of us the good earth that bears fruit a hundredfold. Grant this through Jesus, who lives with you in unity of Sophia, Holy Spirit, now and always. Amen.
Communal Reconciliation Rite
Presider 1: We pause now to remember the times we have not born fruit in loving service to others. Recall one missed opportunity, one broken or damaged relationship. Now imagine this person or situation in the light of healing love as we ask for forgiveness and reconciliation.
(Pause briefly. Then Extend arm over community)
All: I love you, I am sorry, Please forgive me, I thank you.
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading: (Jim Brandi) A reading from “We Were Made for These Times” by Clarissa Pinkola Estes
My friends, do not lose heart. We were made for these times. I have heard from so many recently who are deeply and properly bewildered. They are concerned about the state of affairs in our world now. Ours is a time of almost daily astonishment and often righteous rage over the latest degradations of what matters most to civilized, visionary people.
I urge you, ask you, gentle you, to please not spend your spirit dry by bewailing these difficult times. Especially do not lose hope. Most particularly because, the fact is that we were made for these times. Yes. For years, we have been learning, practicing, been in training for and just waiting to meet on this exact plain of engagement.
Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach. Any small, calm thing that one soul can do to help another soul, to assist some portion of this poor suffering world, will help immensely. It is not given to us to know which acts or by whom, will cause the critical mass to tip toward an enduring good.
There will always be times when you feel discouraged. I too have felt despair many times in my life, but I do not keep a chair for it. I will not entertain it. It is not allowed to eat from my plate.
The reason is this: In my uttermost bones I know something, as do you. It is that there can be no despair when you remember why you came to Earth, who you serve, and who sent you here. The good words we say and the good deeds we do are not ours.
They are the words and deeds of the One who brought us here. In that spirit, I hope you will write this on your wall: When a great ship is in harbor and moored, it is safe, there can be no doubt. But that is not what great ships are built for. The inspired words of Clarissa Pinkola Estes. We All Respond “AMEN”
(American poet, post-trauma specialist and Jungian psychoanalyst,
author of Women Who Run With the Wolves.”
Psalm 90 adapted from Nan Merrill (Jim Brandi);
Response: All: You welcome us home to your Heart, to the city of Light.
When our days on earth are ended, you welcome us home to your Heart, to the City of Light, where time is eternal and days are not numbered. You gather those who love You as friends returning from a long journey, giving rest to our souls, you anoint us with oil with the balm of understanding, healing wounds of the past.
All: You welcome us home to your Heart, to the city of Light.
For our days on Earth are a mystery, a searching for You, a yearning for the Great Mystery to make itself known. The years pass and soon the Harvest is at hand, a time to reap the fruit of one’s life. Who has lived with integrity? Who will reflect the Light, who can bear the radiant beams of Love?
All: You welcome us home to your Heart, to the city of Light.
Awaken us, O Holy One! Too long have we been asleep! Help us to wait in Silence listening for your gentle Voice; Strengthen us with courage to face the fears within.
Let the grace and gentleness of the Holy Spirit be upon us, guiding our feet upon paths of Love Consciousness. Increase your Light within us---O Beloved hear our prayer!
All: You welcome us home to your Heart, to the city of Light.
Second Reading: “Ventilator” a reflection
I have two lungs/4 lobes.
I can share my breath with my sisters and brothers who struggle to breathe. Healthy lungs are more powerful than any man-made ventilator. Jesus you were not always physically present at a healing. You are the air we breathe in. You assured us that we would be able to do what you did “and even greater” I can join the front lines from my “safe at home” Jesus, I hear your call to join the front lines. I will share You, Your Strength, Your Peace, Your Love.
I will share the air from one lung to my sisters and brothers who need to take another breath, who need to experience Peace, who need to relax and let you. If one man-made ventilator can be used for two, this God-made ventilator can share with many more.
Thank you, Holy One, for putting all this in my heart this morning. I spent 20 minutes deep breathing, sharing from my giving lung and trusted that You decide who gets it. I hope to be able to do these two or three times a day while I am safe at home. You are never out done in generosity. A sense of Peace came over me and I look forward to sharing my lung power again and again and again.
This is an inspired meditation shared by Elena Garcia, ARCWP.
All: Amen
Alleluia
Gospel our Reading is from John 14:1-12 (Joan Meehan)
Jesus teaches, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith in me as well. In God’s house there are many dwelling places, otherwise, how could I have told you that I was going to prepare a place for you? I am indeed going to prepare a place for you, and then I will come back to take you with me, that where I am there you may be as well.
“You know the way that leads to where I am going.” And some of us replied, “But we don’t know where you’re going. How can we know the way?” Jesus replies, “I myself am the Way---I am the truth, and I am Life. No one comes to Abba God but through me. If you really knew me, you would know Abba God also. From this point on, you know Abba God and you have seen God.”
“Rabbi” one asked, “show us Abba God, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus replies,
“Have I been with you all this time and you still do not know me?” Whoever has seen me has seen Abba God. How can you say, “Show us your Abba? Don’t you believe that I am in Abba God and God is in me? The words I speak are not spoken of myself; it is Abba God, living in me, who is accomplishing the works of God. Believe me that I am in God and God is in me, or else believe because of the works I do. The truth of the matter is, anyone who has faith in me will do the works I do--- and greater works besides. Why? Because I to Abba God, and whatever you ask in my name I will do, so that God may be glorified in me. Anything you ask in my name I will do. We respond to the inspired words of John. All: Amen
Homily Starter: Katy Zatsick ARCWP
We are in the midst of Covid 19; some are saying the beginning of a two-year experience until we achieve immunity via a vaccine or herd immunity. We have all experienced changes emotionally, spiritually, physically, socially in our lives because of this plague. Clarissa Estes, we heard this reading a few weeks ago, but I chose to use it again reminds us of all the ages through history when we could have been born; we were born to experience the Time of Covid and its aftermath. We are called to experience it fully with our faith and souls; our minds and bodies; our knowledge, experience, skills and life wisdom. We are participating in human evolution to the consciousness of our Oneness in Holy Mystery and truly what we do to another we do to ourselves. We are experiencing our inner journey to the deep within where our God of truth, lives and gives each of us life.
The Time of Covid presents us with daily choices to be angry, frustrated, fearful or to turn away from belief. Or we can answer the call to use this time wisely growing spiritually and come to consciousness of our role in the human evolutionary story, to become the Body of Christ in service to Truth and to Life. Jesus teaches us in today’s gospel “I myself am the Way---I am the truth, and I am life” He continues, “In God’s house there are many dwelling places, otherwise, how could I have told you that I was going to prepare a place for you?” We are called to be the Compassion of Jesus Christ in the Time of Covid and to create a new future for evolutionary humanity after.
We know Jesus is not talking of a physical structure but a spiritual dwelling place in Holy Mystery’s Unconditional Love for us. How do we follow his Way and the Truth? How do we participate with Jesus in preparing a heavenly dwelling place for ourselves? As Clarissa writes; we do not have to “fix the entire” world. But to stretch “…out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach.” She continues, “Any small, calm thing that one soul can do to help another soul, to assist some portion of this poor suffering world, will help immensely.” Elena has given us an inspiriting experience of one way we might prepare our dwelling place with Jesus as we follow the Way. Elena knowing, we are ONE with our sisters and brothers in Holy Mystery, in prayer stands in solidarity and with Jesus’ Compassion lifts up their needs (her bread and wine) to our Loving God. Elena stands in Solidarity and Healing Love with all those needing to breathe.
Let us take a few minutes and visit our dwelling place where “Jesus and I” in the Time of Covid are creating my eternal home in God’s Unconditional Love.
Please lay down your liturgy; put your feet on the floor, close your eyes and get comfortable. If your mind wanders from my words, stay with a Spirit given image, but if not let it go and come back to my words
Gently breathe in and out, in and out.
In your mind’s eye, leave your room and see a path before you. Take the path to a sacred safe space…. You know this is the dwelling place being prepared by and for you… Jesus, a wisdom figure or Holy Mystery is waiting for you…
Tell Jesus about your experience in Covid Time…Have you received a gift during this time? An insight into who you are? Speak to him, listen to his reply…What is Jesus calling you to do after you are permitted to leave “safer at home?” Ask Jesus about anything your soul wants to know in Covid time?
Knowing you can return to this place any time you desire, please say goodbye, return to the path home, and when you have returned to your room, open your eyes. Please share from your meditation experience, response to our readings, or your heart during the Time of Covid.
Communal Statement of Faith
All: We believe in You, Holy One, Love poured out through all of creation, calling us to humanity’s future.
We follow our brother, Jesus whose Path is Compassion
We believe in Your Sophia within us,
Your Wisdom Presence calling us to evolve here and now
Creating a sustainable and just society for all
across Mother Earth.
Amen.
Prayers of and for the Community
Presider 1: We now remember all those who need our prayers.
Our response is All: Jesus we trust in you. Your Love sustains us.
Jim B: God of Compassion, be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected by Coronavirus and who put themselves at risk in the process.
All: Jesus we trust in you. Your Love sustains us.
Elena G: God of Compassion, heal those who are sick with this virus. Be with those who have died and now dwell with you. Be with those who worry, who grieve. May they know your comfort and peace.
All: Jesus we trust in you. Your Love sustains us.
Joan M: God of Compassion and Wisdom, be with the leaders of all nations and States. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prevent and prepare for future outbreaks. Across the world, may leaders work for a just, equal and sustainable future for all.
All: Jesus we trust in you. Your Love sustains us.
Presider 1: And for what else should we pray for…
Presider 1: During this time when we may not be able to physically wrap our arms around each other, let us yet find ways to be God’s loving embrace for all our neighbors. Amen.
Adapted from “A Prayer for the Coronavirus,” by Kerry Weber, March 2, 2020.
Preparation Of The Gifts
Presider 1: Blessed are You, O Holy One, through Your divine providence we have this bread of Jesus’ Compassion and Solidarity to offer, it will become for us the Bread of Life.
All: Blessed are You Holy Mystery forever.
Presider 2: Blessed are You, O Holy One, through Your divine providence our community has this wine of desire to heal all those who have Covid19 and their suffering families and friends as we offer it to you, it will become our spiritual drink.
All: Blessed are You God of Unconditional Healing Love forever.
Presider 1: O Source of All Life and Creation, past, present and future; in you we live and move and have our being,
All: All the days of our lives.
Eucharistic Prayer
Presider 2: Sofia, your Holy Spirit, who raised Jesus from the dead, is rising up in all who work for humanity’s healing and well-being. With thankful hearts, in the company of all holy women and men, your liberating Spirit rises up within us, works through us and we sing:
All: Holy, Holy, Holy (adapted from Holy, Holy, Holy by Karen Drucker)
We are Holy, Holy, Holy…3x , You are Holy, Holy, Holy, I am Holy, Holy, Holy, We are Holy, Holy, Holy
Presider 1: O Heart of Love, Your Spirit moved through Mary of Magdala and the Easter women as they stood by the broken body of Jesus and encountered the Risen One. Your Spirit moved through your disciples as they joined with you after you ascended to be eternally with the Holy One. Your Spirit moves through us as we pray and follow the Way of Compassion of Jesus our Wise Brother.
Presider 1: Please extend Your hands in blessing.
Presider 2: You pour out Your spirit anew upon this bread and wine and upon us as we become more deeply the Christ Presence in our world.
All: On the night before he died, Jesus came to table with the women and men he loved. Jesus took bread blessed and broke it, saying,
“Take, eat, this is my body. Do this in memory of me.”
(pause)
Presider 2: After supper, Jesus poured a cup of wine and shared it with his friends, saying,
All: “This is the cup of the Covenant of my Love. As often as You drink of it, remember me.”
Presider 2: Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
All: Christ has died in all those who have passed away because of the Coronavirus and in those who have given their lives as they cared for these patients.
Christ is rising in all those working for the well-being of humanity.
Christ comes each day in our ministry for a healthy, sustainable world with justice, peace and equality for all including Mother Earth. Amen.
Presider 1: Embracing Presence, we remember all the companions who have gone before us: Mary, Mother of Jesus, Mary of Magdala, and all holy women and men who are rising up in loving service to heal our world. For it is through living as Jesus lived, and loving as he loved, that we awaken to Your Spirit empowering us to work for justice and equality and a healthy sustainable world.
All: AMEN.
Communion Rite
The Prayer of Jesus
Presider 2: Let us pray as Jesus taught us. Our Father and Mother…
Sign of Peace
Presider 2: Jesus said to his disciples, “My peace I leave You. My peace I give You.” The peace of the Holy One is within You.
All: And with all of us.
Presider 1: Please join in praying the Litany for the Breaking of the Bread
All: Holy One, You call us to speak truth to power; we will do so.
Holy One, You call us to live the Gospel of reconciliation, healing and justice; we will do so.
Holy One, You call us to be Your Compassionate Presence in the world; we will do so.
Presider 2: This is the bread of life and the cup of blessing. Blessed are we who are called to the table.
All: We are the Body of Christ.
Communion
Presider 1: Pease share Eucharist now.
Concluding Rite
Presider 1: The Holy One is within You.
All: And also within You.
Blessing
Presider 2: Please extend Your hands as we pray our final blessing.
Closing Song: Anthem by Tom Conry
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