Mary Mother Of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community Fifth Week in Extra-ordinary Time Presiders: Cathy Alexander and Elena Garcia ARCWP February 7, 2021

MMOJ Community- There were forty- six who joined us for this liturgy. 

 Zoom link for video- 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Gaspar-Manuel-Zaido in Unsplash  x3JnJynGO4

Woman aware of Divine Presence within and in all

Theme: Recognize the Divine Presence in All

Welcome   Cathy:

Welcome to our liturgical gathering on this Saturday afternoon. We rejoice that we can celebrate liturgy together during these difficult times. We extend to one another words of welcome, peace, and thanksgiving assuring each other that all are welcome to this holy place.
We invite you to pray the liturgy with us. You will be muted during the liturgy except for the presiders. When speaking a part please unmute and re-mute yourself. During the shared homily we ask you to unmute yourself to contribute your thoughts and when you are finished, remember to re-mute yourself. Have bread and wine/juice in front of you for communion.

Opening Prayer:  Elena    O holy One we gather together today with just a few short weeks before the Lenten season begins. A season when we voluntarily retreat to the desert with you and  strife to look through a different lens at the depth and magnitude of Your love for us. A time when we give ourselves the opportunity to experience Your Divine Presence in all creation and within ourselves. In this liturgy, grant us O Holy One, the grace to open our hearts to explore through prayers, readings and sharing what it means to “Recognize Your Divine Presence in All”

Let us take a moment to recall that we are always in the presence of the Divine and the Divine Presence dwells within each and all of us. Let us delight in this knowledge. In our gathering song I invite you to join in the repetition of the invitation to the Divine Presence to permeate our beings with Peace, Joy, Light, and Grace.

Gathering Song: “O Come Round” by Jan Phillips  

 

https://youtu.be/HS4qnF6aqNY

~O Come Round Come Round Me, Come Round Come Round Come Round

O Come Round Come Round Me, Come Round Come Round Come Round

~O Come Peace Come Round Me, Come Round Come Round Come Round

 O Come Peace Come Round Me, Come Round Come Round Come Round

~O Come Joy Come Round Me, Come round Come Round Come Round

O Come Joy Come Round Me,  Come round Come Round Come Round

~O Come Light Come Round Me, Come Round Come Round Come Round

O Come Light Come Round Me,  Come round Come Round Come Round

~O Come Grace Come Round Me, Come Round Come Round Come Round

O Come Grace Come Round Me, Come Round Come Round Come Round

~O Come Friends Come Round Me, Come Round Come Round Come Round

O Come Friends Come Round Me, Come Round Come Round Come Round

~O Come Round Come Round Me, Come Round Come Round Come Round

O Come Round Come Round Me, Come Round Come Round Come Round

Sign of Peace  Elena   Let us offer each other a sign of the Peace of Christ that dwells within us with a  (Namaste pose or other greeting toward Camera) 

All: Namaste. The Peace of Christ be with you!

Transformation Rite :      Cheryl and All 

O Holy One, you call us to life in relationship. Help us to  recognize your presence within us in a way that will compel us to  be compassionate to others. Forgive the many times we have failed to be forgiving to those nearest to us and grant us the humility to ask pardon.  We ask this in Your Holy Name  All: So be it.

GLORIA:  Cathy and All                                                                                                                                 

 Glory to the Spirit of Life, to the Holy One who surrounds us, who lives within us, whose Sacred Word is shared by us.

Glory to the Spirit of Life, who cares for the health workers, postal workers, store clerks, garbage collectors and all those who serve our special needs in numerous ways.

Glory to the Spirit of Life, who offers us peace; peace in our hearts, peace in our thoughts, and peace with one another. 

Glory to the Spirit of Life, who sent Jesus who teaches us how to live the Gospels, who brings hope and healing to all those in need. 

O Holy One, you are one with us.  We are strong in our faith and will live life in hope and faithfulness to you, to be Church, committed to the message of the Gospel’s Sacred Word as shared by us. 

We depend upon the ever-present Spirit, Sophia Wisdom, to walk with us as we journey in the present and rejoice in the life before us.  

Glory and Praise to the Spirit of Life who dwells within us!

Liturgy of the Word

Cheryl :    First Reading:  “God Within Me”  by Denise Rossier

I love with the love of God within me. I sing with the voice of God within me. I rest in the peace of God within me. I know with the mind of God within me. I trust in the power of God within me. Everything, everything praises God within me. I am a safe and loving place born of beauty and amazing grace. I laugh with the joy of God within me. I shine with the light of God within me. I am who I am because of God within me. I have felt the Spirit stirring deep in my soul

And so, I will give love, I will speak peace. I am one but I am not alone. When I recognize your life in me I am whole.

These are inspired words of Denise Rossier and the community gives assent to them by saying:

 All: So Be It

 Responsorial Psalm:     Jim B,  Psalm 105  (Nan Merrill-Psalms for Praying)

All: Listen in silence for the Voice of the Counselor

O give thanks to the Beloved and open your hearts to Love.

Sing praises with a glad heart and give witness to the truth with your lives!

Glory in the radiance of the Beloved, and let the hearts of those who call upon you rejoice!

All: Listen in silence for the voice of the Counselor

You are the promise of our wholeness, You await our readiness to choose life,

Your covenant of Love stands firm through all ages; 

You forgive us when we stray far from home.

As we sift through our dreams, guide us to the only Dream that brings peace-

knowing we belong to You.

All: Listen in silence for the voice of the Counselor

In You alone is our trust, O Holy One; Walking your Way is the truth that sets us free.

O that we may open our minds and hearts, and welcome you into our home,

That we may live each day conversing with You, O Loving Companion Presence!

Listen in silence for the voice of the Counselor

Elena    Let us listen attentively as God tells us again about making Her home in us.

Acclamation:   Celtic Alleluia  

https://ww.youtube.com/watch?v=o1rc7ojQtJU

Gospel Reading:     Jill -  John 15                                                            You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken. “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. I have loved you the way my Abba has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy and your joy wholly mature.                                                                                                                        

~These are the inspired words found in the Gospel of John the Evangelist and the community affirms our assent by saying, All: So be it!

Acclamation: Celtic Alleluia 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1rc7ojQtJU

Homily Starter

Profession of Faith:  Jim B and All

~We believe in our Creator who has not forgotten us and is ever and always present with us.

~We believe in Jesus, prophet and teacher, who journeyed on the earth, blessing the sick, making whole the broken, healing many, instilling faith in his followers so that they insure his legacy till the end of time.

~We believe in the Cosmic Christ, the everlasting Presence, one with the universe.

~We believe in Sacred Spirit, the breath of wisdom Sophia, the power of the winds enwrapping us in glory.

~We believe in the communion of saints, our heavenly friends who walk with us in love, who are never far from us, who are separated from us by a mere veil, always near opening our minds to what is difficult to see.                                                                       

~We believe in the partnership and equality of women and men in our Church and our world.  In this space we live our prophetic call of Gospel equality.

Prayer of the Community  - Jill  S

~Christ, you came to us from the depths of Mystery, Your vision always drew you forward and so we pray: 

~Spirit Sophia Wisdom, you lead each of us in a direction that is life-giving  and fruitful;

All: help us to silence all that would deafen us to your call.

~As the possibilities of science continue to expand;

All: remind us of our creaturehood and give us humble hearts

~Life is your gift to us, Abba/Amma, and your presence within us gives meaning to your gift;

All: show yourself to those who are tempted to despair

~Jesus, you know the cares of family life;

All: Encourage and strengthen heads of families who face the special challenges of our culture.  ~ ~Jesus, you healed on the Sabbath and were persecuted for it;

All: be with our present day prophets who make unpopular decisions for the cause of justice and truth. 

~Who or what else shall we lift up in prayer?   (After each petition say)

All: Heart of Compassion, hear our prayer.

~ You, O Holy One are our place of refuge; You continue to call us forth to be your people in a world of division and distress. You Speak to us in the silence of our hearts, and we listen. And then we speak to you from the fullness of our hearts. And this listening and this speaking comes from an awareness of your presence within us and all of creation. 

 

Offertory:  Elena

~The Holy One is with us, abounding in Love!

All:  We open our hearts in Christ, who lives and loves, heals and empowers through us!

~Let us give thanks to the Source of all Life.

All: O Loving God, you bring to birth the world of our dreams for mutual respect and partnership.  We do well always and everywhere to give you praise!  Give us courage to act justly and work collaboratively to change systems that keep people poor and marginalized in our society.

~As the Ground of our Being, O Holy One, we marvel and wonder at the size and complexity of our universe.  We give thanks for your Creative Presence that “charges” this life and all that exists.  We recognize that human life gives your Creator Spirit a particular way of coming to expression, and that in us your Spirit can speak and write, love and create.  We now dance and sing with the choirs of angels:

Holy, Holy, Holy:  

Here in this Place by Christopher Gundry:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9LZURdBJxE

Holy One, may your presence here open our minds

may your Spirit among us help us to find

you are rising up now like a fountain of grace

from the holy ground here in this place. Here is this place. (x2)

Holy, holy, holy God of love and majesty

the whole universe speaks of your glory

from the holy ground here in this place. Here in this place. (x2)

Eucharistic Prayer:   Cathy 

Creator God, we see around us the work of your hands, the fruit of your wisdom and love. The unfolding story of creation witnesses unceasingly to your creative power.  We, give you praise and thanksgiving for  birthing  afresh in our world the power of Sophia Wisdom. In the gift of the Spirit, your creative goodness blooms anew, amid the variety and wonder of life.

Epiclesis: Elena

Please raise your hands toward the bread and wine for the Invocation of the Holy Spirit

All: We call upon you, O Spirit of Life, you who enliven all that exists. Transform these gifts of bread and wine, and our very lives, by your boundless grace that nourishes and sustains us on our journey—our mission to be the loving face of God in our world.

Consecration: Cathy and All

All: At this gathering, we take bread, as Jesus took bread, and we

remember, as Jesus remembered, the constant presence of the 

Spirit of Life and Love.  And Jesus offers it to us now, saying: (raise bread) 

Take and eat, all of you.  This is my body which will be given up for you.

 When supper ends, Jesus takes the cup, speaks the grace, and  offers it to us now, saying:

(raise cup) Take and drink this cup of my life-blood, the life of the new and everlasting covenant.  It is poured out for you and for all, so that you might be free.  Whenever you re-member me like this, I am among you.

Sanctuary: Lead by Linda Lee Miller      

https://youtu.be/F58K3CHK0HI

Elena: Let us now eat and drink mindful that The Holy One is present in each one of us. Thus we proclaim the sacred presence of our nurturing God. 

Communion Meditation Song “I see myself in you” by Jan Phillips  

https://youtu.be/riovqt_1ueI

Eucharistic Acclamation (anamnesis—the remembrance) 

Cathy and All: 

We give thanks for who we are in Christ: Matter becomes conscious, the universe coming to reflect on itself, earthen vessels that hold a treasure, temple of God’s Spirit, the Body of Christ.

Cathy: 

Sacred Spirit, we rejoice that the Universal Christ remains always and ever present within and around us. We remember all those who have transitioned from life on earth to complete union with the Sacred Presence. We remember our sister priests, strong extraordinary women: Adele, Judy, Tish, Joan and Michele.  We remember, too, family members and friends.  We remember all those whose lives have been lost to Covid, to war, to racism and all other “isims” that exist in our world.  And we remember those you wish to be remembered….(pause to name those loved ones you wish to remember) All are beloved souls who have blessed our lives and who continue to inspire us. God of our dreams, may we give birth to the Word made Flesh in us every day. 

Great Amen:  Lead by Linda Lee Miller 

https://youtu.be/Dy76fpfkNsg

Jill: Let us pray together the prayer of Jesus                                                                                                 

All: O Holy One, you are within, around, and among us.

We celebrate your many names. Your wisdom come, your will be done, unfolding from the depths within us.  Each day you give us all we need. You remind us of our limits, and we let go. 

You support us in your power, and we act with courage. 

For you are the dwelling place within us, the empowerment around us,

And the celebration among us, now and forever. Amen

(Adapted, Miriam Therese Winter, MMS)

Elena:

God of new beginnings, thank you for nourishing us in your sacrament. Reminded again in this liturgy of the power of your Infinite Presence within us may we continue to open our hearts to the daily miracles of life that surround us each day. We ask this in Your Holy Name.

 All: Amen

INTRODUCTIONS, GRATITUDES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 

CONCLUDING RITE:    Elena      As we prepare to leave this holy place and moment, let us confer a blessing on each other, express our gratitude and ask for the grace to continue to recognize the Divine Presence within us and all around us,  thus manifesting the Glory of God. 

BLESSING     

Cathy: 

Our God is with you.   All: And also with you.

 (Everyone please extend your hands in mutual blessing)

 All:   May our loving God fill us with radiant joy. May our liberating God fill us with deep peace, and may our compassionate God bless us always with strength to serve the broken and excluded. Amen  

Cathy and Elena: As we leave here in the peace of Christ and the joyful realization that God dwells within us, let us be mindful of our connection to each other, and may we always strive to recognize the Divine Presence in all we encounter. May we strive to be the joyful and compassionate people that God created us to be. And let our service continue!

All: Thanks be to God. Let it be so!

Closing: Blessing Song by Jan Phillips    

   

https:youtu.be/RTVrbEbjqZ8

If you want to add an intercession to our MMOJ Community Prayer book, please send an email to katyrcwp@tampabay.rr.com

If you want to invite someone to attend our liturgy, please refer them to the day’s liturgy at MaryMotherofJesus.org      

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Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community

St Andrew UCC, 6908 Beneva Rd, Sarasota, FL 34238

Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community At Sun City Center “Love and Valentines” February 4, 2021

 

Photo by Wyron A on Unsplash 

All: (arms outstretched)Infinite God in whom I live and move and have my being, (hands in Namaste position, bowing to person across from you),Holy Spirit Sophia in every person and all Communities (hands crossed over heart)  Inner God, my brother Jesus: I am your light for the world Amen. 

Opening Prayer. We gather together to share the love you have for us since the Big Bang and the Incarnation of Jesus Christ in humanity. By his life Jesus taught us how to be Love and Compassion for others. May we rejoice in your love for us and may we live your Love for others. Amen. 

See Sheet for Readings

Profession of Faith. All: We believe in God who is creator and nurturer of all. We believe in Jesus Christ our brother and Beloved Son of God who is our faith, hope, love, and our light. Born in a stable, Jesus lived, died and rose to now reside in our souls.  We believe in the Holy Spirit, the breath of Wisdom Sophia who energizes and helps us make wise decisions and guides us to rebuild caring communities and to challenge injustices.  We believe in the partnership and equality of women and men in our church and world. We believe that all are ONE in God’s Community of Creation. We believe Holy Wisdom calls us to live fully, love tenderly, pray always, serve generously with Compassion and Love for all and to never count the cost. Amen.

Presider: Always mindful of God’s love and care for us, we bring the needs of the People of God to our loving Creator, Renewer and Sustainer.

Response: Jesus, fill our souls with your Love for all

Reader: For all persons, medical professionals and communities suffering from Covid: financially, physically, mentally Response:

Reader: We pray for healing for patients and for the families who lost a loved one to Covid or violence. Response.

Reader: That the Biden-Harris administration and Congress will work together to quickly provide Covid-19 vaccinations for all ASAP. Response

Reader: That the Biden-Harris administration and Congress will pass the America Rescue Plan ASAP. Response

Reader: That we will re-dedicate ourselves to build a country and world where equality, justice and peace is established for all including the earth. Response

Presider: For what else should we pray…

All: God of Unconditional Love for us,  we know you hear our prayers; those we speak and those we keep in our hearts. Fill our members and community with your Holy Wisdom, Compassion and Love as we begin our new year in the time of a pandemic and economic disaster. Amen

PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS

Reader: (lifting up the bread) Blessed are you, O God, Lover of all.  In this time of Covid, our bread is your MMOJ community as we gather together bringing our faith, hope and love as gifts for you.  Through your divine providence, we have this bread to offer, it will become for us the Bread of life.   ALL:  Jesus, fill our hearts with your faith, hope and love. 

Reader: (lifting up the wine) Blessed are you, Holy Mystery, Creator of all.  This wine is our desire to live following your Way of Love, reconciliation, healing and peace asking you to send your Spirit Sophia to guide our path.  Through your divine providence, we have this wine to offer, it will become our spiritual drink.  ALL:  Jesus fill our hearts with your faith, hope and love. 

All: Blessed are you, God of all life, through your goodness we have this bread and wine and our own lives to offer as our gifts to you. Through this sacred meal and the gifts of Sophia Wisdom may we become your Loving Presence for all. Amen. 

Eucharistic Prayer. 

All Sing: We are holy holy holy (x3) We are whole; You are holy holy holy (x3) You are whole; I am holy (x3) I am whole; We are holy holy holy (x3) We are whole.

All: Come Holy Spirit and settle on this bread and wine. Fill them with the holiness and wholeness of our living Brother Jesus our Cosmic Christ living in the center of our souls today.  Holy Spirit we ask that you fill us with you Wisdom and renewing Love as we participate in your Divine meal with our brothers and sisters of our community and People of God throughout the world. 

Remembering Jesus.   (hand extended in blessing): 

Men: On the night before he died, while at supper Jesus took bread, broke it, and sharing it with family and friends, saying, “Take this, all of you, and eat. When you gather in my name, I am present amongst you.” (Pause)

Women: Then Jesus took a cup of wine and sharing it with those present, saying, “Take this all of you and drink. This is the cup of my life-blood, my eternal covenant with you. Do this in memory of me.” 

All (2nd Invocation of Spirit, with hand on each other’s shoulder, or raised in blessing): Come Holy Spirit to rest on us. Refreshed from our worship together and joined with Jesus our Brother may we extend your Compassion, Love and Peace to all we meet especially in this time of Covid and political unrest. Amen 

Prayer of Jesus 

All: Heavenly Mother, Heavenly Father, 

Holy and Blessed is your true name.

We pray for your reign of peace to come,

We pray that your good will be done,

Let heaven and earth become one.

Give us this day the bread we need,

Give it to those who have none.

Let forgiveness flow like a river through us,

From each one to each one to each one.

Lead us to holy innocence

Beyond the evil of our days.

Come swiftly Mother, Father, Come!

For yours is the power, the glory, and the mercy—

Forever your name is All in One. Amen              (Parker Palmer, Quaker Writer and Teacher, WI)

Song of Peace Love is flowing like a river, flowing out of you and me, flowing out into the desert, setting all the people free. Hope is flowing…Alleluia

Litany for Breaking of Bread. 

Reader: Loving God, you call us to listen to Sophia Wisdom and the gifts of her Spirit dwelling within us. All: We will do so! 

Reader: Loving God, you call us to live the Gospel of Compassion, equality, peace and justice for others and earth. All: We will do so! 

Reader: Loving God, you call us to be your Loving Presence for all in the world. All: We will do so!

Reader: This is Jesus born in a humble stable who liberates, heals and transforms us and our world in the time of Covid. All are invited to partake of this banquet of love and to live as the Heart and Hands of Christ’s Compassion and Love in our time. All: We are the Body of Christ. We are the blood of Christ for the world. 

Prayer of Thanksgiving (Didache, 100CE)

Men 1: For the thanksgiving, give thanks this way: First, for the cup: We thank you, Abba God, for the sacred vine of David your son, whose meaning you made clear to us through our brother Jesus, yours ever be the splendor. 

Women 2: And for the bread fragment: We thank you, Amma God, for the life and wisdom whose meaning you made clear to us through Jesus Christ, yours ever be the splendor. 

All 3: As this fragment was scattered high on hills, but by gathering was united into one, so let your people from earth’s ends be united into your single reign, for yours are splendor and might through Jesus Christ down the ages.

Prayers of Gratitude from community.

Final Blessing. 

All (hand extended over community): Adapted from Psalm 25 

May we bow down before You, Loving God; instruct us, that we might choose God’s way of love and truth.

May we live in your abundant Love, and may our children and grandchildren as well to the 7^th generation.

Your friendship is offered to all whose hearts are open, make known your promises to all. 

May our eyes stay focused on You, Beloved, keep us from stumbling along the way. 

As we go forward into our New Year to love, and as our service and ministry continue.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen  

 

Presider:  In this time of many challenges for us personally and as a country; let us go in the Love, peace, joy, and hope of the Presence of Jesus Christ in our souls. All: Thanks be to God.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Readings for Feb 4  “On Love and Valentines”

Our first reading is from “Pope Francis Speaks to our Hearts, Words of Challenge and Hope” pg. 9 

“God’s Name is Love: Let us recognize that God is not something vague; our God is not a God “spray”; God is tangible; God is not abstract but has a name: “God is Love.” God’s love is not a sentimental, emotional kind of love but the love of a Father (or Mother) who is the origin of all life, the love of the Son who dies on the cross and is raised, the love of the Spirit who renews human beings and the world.  Thinking that God is love does us so much, because it teaches us to love, to give ourselves to others as Jesus gave himself to us and wilks with us.  Jesus walks beside us on the road through life.” We give thanks for these inspired words of Pope Francis and affirm them by saying All: Amen 

Our response Is a poem “St Valentine’s Day” (from “The Path Home” by Edgar A Guest, 1919) 

                                                                                                                                 (I have not changed the language but left it original.  Please read “she/her” to yourself if you desire) 

Reader: Let loose the Sails of Love and let them fill 

with breezes sweet with tenderness today; 

Scorn not the praises youthful lovers say: 

Romance is old, but it is lovely still.  

Not he who shows his love deserves the jeer, 

But he who speaks not wat she longs to hear. 

Reader: There is no shame in love’s devoted speech;

Man need not blush his tenderness to show;

‘Tis shame to love and never let her know, 

To keep his heart forever out of reach. 

Not he the fool who lets his love go on,

But he who spurns it when his love is won. 

Reader: Men proudly vaunt their love of gold and fame,

High station and accomplishments of skill,

Yet of life’s greatest conquest they are still, and deem it weakness, or an act of shame,

To seem to place high value on the love

Which first of all they should be proudest of. 

Reader: Let loose the sails of love and let them take

The tender breezes till the day be spent;

Only the fool chokes out life’s sentiment. 

She is a prize too lovely to forsake.

Be not ashamed to send your valentine;

She has your love, but needs its outward sign. 

 NOTE: “Love” is mentioned 586 times in the Bible, “Steadfast Love” is mentioned 231

2^nd Reading: Jeremiah: 31:3, 32:18, 33:11

“Thus, says YHWH: They’ll say, ‘YHWH appeared to us in the past and said, “In everlasting love I conceived you.” And now I will continue to show my love for you.”

“Sovereign YHWH, by your great power and your outstretched hand you made the heavens and the earth.  Nothing is impossible to you. You show steadfast love to the 1000^th generation.” 

“Yet in this place there will be heard once more the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom. Here too will be heard the shouting of voices, “Praise YHWH Omnipotent, for our God is a good God, whose steadfast love endures forever.” 

We affirm these inspired words of Jeremiah by saying: All: Amen 

The Good News: John 14:21, 23 and 15:9, 10, 12, 13 and Romans 8:35-39

“Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me, and those who love me will be loved by Abba God.  I, too, will love them and will reveal myself to them…Those who love me will be true to my word, and Abba God will love them; and we will come to them and make our dwelling place with them.” 

“As my Abba has loved me, so have I loved you.  Live on in my love.  And you will live in my love if you keep my commandments, just as I live on in Abba God’s love and have kept God’s commandments…This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” 

What will separate us from the love of Christ? Trouble? Calamity? Persecution? Hunger? Nakedness? Danger? Violence?...For I am certain that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, neither heights nor depths—nor anything else in all creation---will be able to separate us from the love of God that comes to us in Christ Jesus, our Savior. 

And we affirm these inspired words of John and Paul by saying, All: Amen

Homily Starter: 

1. 1. Share the memento of Love you have brought with you.
2. 2. What in the readings speaks of God’s love and human love?