Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Community, Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 24, 2021 Presiders Kathryn Shea ARCWP and Lee Breyer,Readers: Ann Cooke and Mary Al Gagnon ,Music Minister: Linda Lee Miller

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85108095506?pwd=Y3IyS0xkaWZ1WGRUOXlZMm5qcE1Fdz09         

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

ID 851- 0809-5506

Passcode 1066

                                

                   

         Theme: “My grace is sufficient.”  

Welcome 

Lee: 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. 

-Please have bread and wine/juice nearby as we pray our Eucharistic prayer.

Let us now take a few minutes to collect ourselves as we prepare to focus our minds and our hearts on our knowledge that we are all one, brought together at this time to transform our beautiful planet Earth, to love our Holy One with all our hearts and to love one another.  How better to express the oneness that we have with Jesus and with one another than by expressing that in song: 

Opening Song: Only Grace by The Many

https://youtu.be/JRkHQ1aR1qk

Opening Prayer

Kathryn: O Creator God, we thank you for our gathering here today so that we can celebrate our oneness with and in you and with each other.  Our care for one another and for our Mother Earth is what you have called us to do and we journey as companions doing this work filled with joy.  We live with the certainty that you walk with us, and as we continue to awaken to the fullness of grace consciousness we are more fully united as one people, one planet, expressing unconditional love toward all beings. 

Communal Reconciliation Rite

Lee: We pause now to remember the times we have let anxieties sap our energy to live our mission to be the Christ Presence in the world. Let us place our concerns and issues in the loving hands of the Holy One, and open ourselves to recognize the Divine Spark dwelling within our hearts. (Pause briefly. Then extend arm over your heart)

Lee and All:  Let it be so, Yes,  Alleluia

A Joyful Gloria: Linda Lee Miller and graphics by Rick Miller

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lA5I0nODZI

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading: Ann Cooke:   1 John 3:1-2

Beloved:
See what love Abba God has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet in fact, that is what we are.

The reason the world does not recognize us is that it never recognized God.

My dear Friends, 

Now we are God’s children; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like the Holy One, for we shall see our Abba God as he is.

Responsorial: Psalm 118

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZEQrF2xYc4M&feature=share

Alle, Alle, Alleluia: Linda Lee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID5UGWcS6Ws

Gospel Reading: Lee. 

Jesus said:
I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them.

This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep and they know me,  

In the same way Abba God knows me and I know God. And I will lay down my life for the sheep.

I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.

This is why Abba God loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received, O my God.

Shared Homily

Communal Statement of Faith

Mary Al and ALL: We believe in one God, 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 God's Word, bringer of God's healing, heart of God's compassion, bright star in the firmament of God's prophets, mystics, and saints. 

We believe that we are called to follow Jesus as a vehicle of God's love, a source of God's wisdom and truth, and an instrument of God's peace in the world.

We believe that God's 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 and for the Community

Kathryn.: We now bring our prayer intentions to the Table

 

Our response is: All: Your love fills our hearts.

We pray for our MMOJ intentions on our community prayer list. (Katy shares)

For what else should we pray?

Kathryn: Holy Mystery, may we respond to the needs of our sisters and brothers in loving prayer and solidarity. Amen

Preparation Of The Gifts

Lee: Gracious God, you have set the banquet table and have invited all of us to a feast of unending delight.  Blessed are You, Holy One, through Your divine providence we have this bread, to share, the Bread of Life. 

All: Blessed are You, Holy One, forever.  

Kathryn: Blessed are You, O Loving One through Your divine providence we have this wine to share, our spiritual drink. 

All: Blessed are, You, Holy One, forever.

Lee; Let us lift up our hearts.

All:  We lift them up to the Holy One, living in us and loving through us.  Namaste (3x)

Eucharistic Prayer

Ann C: Gracious Wisdom, you embrace us with your extravagant affection in our times of both blessedness and weakness.  You are always with us…you living in us and we living in you.  In this festive meal, your Spirit is poured out on each of us gathered in the circle of your friends and disciples, we also ask that your Spirit be spread to those of our community who are not with us today.

Let us rejoice as we sing: 

All:  Holy, Holy, Holy Linda Lee Miller

 (adapted from Holy, Holy, Holy by Karen Drucker; performed by Linda Lee Miller)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orKBBIj5LZA

 

Joan M: We thank you for the gift of Jesus of Nazareth in history -- and the gift of Jesus in faith. On earth, his life burned with the vision of his mission on earth. Through the example of his life – his teachings and actions - he showed us not only how we should live, but also what was worth even dying for. 

Mary AL: When his time on earth had come to an end, Jesus – aware of and accepting his destiny – gave us his life for the values that he deeply believed, lived and taught…his conviction that love is stronger than death.  And then, in providing an example of this wisdom for all people in ages to come, he opened wide his arms…and died.  And the spirit that lived in Jesus resurrected him to a new life, a promise made to all of us too who live the new story.  Jesus is with us today and he will be through the end of time.

(With an outstretched arm, we pray the consecration together.  We remember the gift that Jesus gave us on the night before he died.  He gathered with his friends to share a final Passover meal.  And it was at that supper that Jesus took bread, said the blessing and shared it with them saying: take this, all of you, and eat it.  This bread is you; this bread is me.  We are one body, the presence of God in the world. When you do this, remember me and all that I have taught you.  This is the new and everlasting covenant.  

           [short pause]

In the same way, Jesus took a cup of wine, said the blessing and gave it to his friends saying: take this, all of you, and drink it.  This wine is you; this wine is me.  We are one blood, the presence of God in the world.  When you do this, remember me and all that I have taught you. This is the new and everlasting covenant.

Lee: Jesus, who was with God “in the beginning of the creation of the heavens and the earth,” is with us now in this bread. The Spirit, of whom the prophets spoke in history, is with us now in this cup.  Let us proclaim this mystery of faith.

All:  Jesus has died.  Christ is risen.  The Divine Presence lives in us and through us in the world today.

Kathryn: God, we know that you bless your church throughout the world. We, your people, ask for your grace that we may continually grow in our love and caring for Francis, our Pope, Bridget Mary, our Bishop and for everyone with whom we come in contact, especially those who live on the margins of church and society. They are all our brothers and sisters, members of your Blessed Family.  We remember also all those, living and dead, who touched our lives and left their footprints on our hearts.  We remember especially….(mention names here, if you would like to..) 

All: We believe that the Spirit of God is at work in and among us and will do more than we could ever ask or imagine.  We believe that it is through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, Creator God, forever and ever. 

 

Great Amen: Linda Lee Miller

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy76fpfkNsg

COMMUNION RITE

The Prayer of Jesus

Lee: Let us pray as Jesus taught us. 

Lee and 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

Sign of Peace:

Kathryn: Jesus said to his disciples, “My peace I leave You.  My peace I give You.” 

Let us join in singing Let “There be Peace on Earth”

Song:  Let there be Peace on Earth 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPH4LRASWbo&feature=share 

Communion

Lee: Please join in praying the Litany for the Breaking of the Bread :

Lee and 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 healing and justice; we will do so. Holy One, You call us to be Your presence in the world; we will do so.

Kathryn: This is the bread of life and the cup of blessing. Blessed are we who are called to Christ’s table.  

Kathryn All:  We are the Body and Blood of Christ for the world.                         

Please receive/share Eucharist now, saying: “You are the bread of life.” And “You are the cup of compassion.”

Communion Song:  Amazing Grace in Cherokee

https://youtube.com/watch?v=8_qFbNskjCI&feature=share

Introductions/Thanksgiving/Announcements

Closing Community Commissioning

And together with our arms extended to one another we say: 

May our hearts be glad on our journey as we dream new dreams, see new visions, and create a new heaven and earth.

May we live and work for compassion and peace, justice and non-violence in our hearts and in those of everyone we meet.

May we learn to bless and honor and hold in reverence all creation, the earth, and one another.

May we live in the grace given to us by our Holy One for all of our lives.

Lee: We are the Face of God in the world; may we reflect God well.  So, as we leave here in the peace of Christ, let us be the people that God created us to be.  Let our service continue.

ALL:  Thanks be to God.  Let it be so!     Alleluia! 

Closing Song: 

We Shall Be Known by MaMuse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt_VQs8LP6k

If you would like to add your intercession to our MMOJ Community Prayers book,

Please send an email to Joan Meehan at jmeehan515@aol.com

If you would like to invite another person to attend our liturgy please refer them to

www.marymotherofJesus.org where the day’s liturgy is found. Zoom instructions are also included there.

Please support our community, send your check to:

Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community

% St Andrews UCC, 6908 Beneva Rd., Sarasota, FL 34328

  

 

Lament for the Universe by Edwina Gateley - a poem for Earth Day

Lament for the Universe 

Once upon a time God said:  

“I will create.”

And from a multitude of brilliant stars

 a great fire – ball exploded

into the universe.

Over billions of years

it birthed galaxies, planets,

the moon and the sun

and the beginnings of life.

And God watched in delight.

Land and seas emerged

Spanned by the great canopy 

of the sky.

From the energy of soil and sea

living things appeared  -

swimming, creeping, wriggling,

crawling and flying in vast 

and brilliant diversity.

And God was very pleased.

Plants, bushes and thick forests

pushed forth from the rich soil,

mountains arose

And valleys unfolded

fed by rivers and streams.

And God said “It is good.”

Then God called forth

The ultimate wonder of all creation:

Humanity evolved - 

walking, exploring, discovering,

playing and thinking

on its journey into consciousness 

And fullness of creation.

And God was very, very proud.

But, as humans developed – 

growing strong and powerful

and self-aware,

they came to believe

that all God had created – 

all that had gone before

for billions of years

in intelligent design -

was theirs - 

to possess, use, cultivate,

consume or destroy.

And God hoped.

Then humans forgot their place

as a single piece

in the great cosmic jigsaw.

They set-about rearranging

the earth’s intelligent design – 

Re-organizing, displacing, consuming

and destroying

for profit and greed – 

until the winds blew hot and violent,

the oceans turned to acid,

the rains dried up the soil turned to dust

and the forests disappeared.

The natural and balanced seasons

fell into disarray

and billions of living, flying,

crawling and swimming creatures

Lost their habitats and died.

And God grieved.

But humanity

did not see nor understand,

for they had forgotten their place

and who they were

in the unfolding and inter-connectedness

of all creation.

And God wept and watched

as humanity began to sicken

with the destruction

of the home God had created for them…

And God whispered – 

“Don’t die

Don’t die…

Don’t let my creation die…”

And God pleaded with humanity – 

“Please, Please – 

Don’t let my creation die.”

~ Edwina Gateley

from Edwina's newest book of poetry:  Soul Whispers (pg 49)

Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests Response to Chauvin Verdict- Calls for Systemic Justice and Accountability

The guilty verdicts in the case against Derek Chauvin on April 20, 2021 felt like victory.  The tears of relief and vindication shed on the streets of Minneapolis were shared in many cities and towns all over the country and the world.  We the women and men of the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests (ARCWP) share these feelings and reflect them in our own tears and prayers of thanksgiving for accountability in this case. But we recognize that accountability in one case is a far cry from justice for all.  Because if this verdict is victory, it is a victory of one lap in a very long race.  Accountability for one man’s unjust death.  Accountability attained in the face of highly incriminating evidence provided by a teenager with a cellphone.  Accountability brought to bear only after another attempted cover-up of police malpractice.  Real justice remains elusive for so many marginalized people as they interact with the system.  

Justice for all will only become reality in this country with the passage of real criminal justice and police reform.  ARCWP stands in solidarity with all who are working to dismantle every system of inequality, oppression and domination of people of color, LGBTQI and other marginalized people. We pray, along with Franciscan Father Richard Rohr, that we as a nation are ready to “clear the field to be ready for new seed.” (Richard Rohr, 4/20/21) In the meantime, we continue the race.  And we say their names.