Theme: “Life is Eternal and Love is Immortal”
PLEASE NOTE:
Our Zoom Link will open at 3:15 PM for a 30 minute “Mindyfest” of her WillFest 2019 concert at: Topic: MMOJ's Liturgy
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 815 3407 5389
Passcode: 803326
(Note -- if you have a problem with the above link, open your ZOOM app and insert the Meeting ID number and Passcode)
One tap mobile: 1-312-626-6799
https://youtu.be/XF6l5U0eIn0
At 3:45, Peg will invite all to unmute and greet one another. Our liturgy will begin promptly at 4:00 pm.
Welcome and Gathering
Lee: Welcome to our Zoom liturgy at Mary Mother of Jesus, an inclusive Catholic Community in Sarasota, Florida. Today, we dedicate our liturgy and celebrate the life of Mindy Lou Simmons, a beautiful soul that blessed our MMOJ community for many years with her angelic voice, amazing songs and music, and most of all, her glowing and generous soul.
-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.
-Our theme today is, “Life is Eternal and Love is Immortal”.
Whoever you are,
Wherever you are,
Just as you are,
You are welcome at this table. (Integral Christianity by Paul Smith)
Let us focus our minds and our hearts on our knowledge that we are all one, one world, brought together at this time to transform ourselves and our world through love; love for our Holy One, love for our neighbors, love for ourselves, and love for our planet. Let us begin our liturgy by expressing this love through listening to Mindy sing this beautiful song, “May the Light of Love”.
Gathering Song: One World by Mindy Simmons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6rKygLyzUU
Opening Prayer
Kathryn: Splendid Creator, we are delighted to gather with one another today as we share this sacred space and celebrate our oneness in and with You. You told us that “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am among them.” You gave us your commandment to “love one another” as you love us. In this time of great turmoil on our planet, and with an impending war in Ukraine, we need to more fully embrace and act upon Your words. As we gather today, may we be ever more mindful of our call and responsibility to Be love for one another. We give thanks for our Brother Jesus, who being both fully human and divine, showed us how to Be love. As we gather today, may we be ever more mindful of our call and responsibility to Be love for one another and to manifest Mindy’s dream of being One World. We have been given all we need to bring the true kin-dom of our Creator on Earth. Holy One, we live with the comfort of knowing You walk with us on our journey and that You continue to teach us through Spirit Sophia, Holy Wisdom. And to this, we say, AMEN.
Reconciliation Rite
Lee: Let’s remember now times when messages of our unworthiness clouded our vision of the infinite Love within us. Let us imagine our imperfections, the chaos and messes of our lives, all brightly lit by a love that heals and transforms us as we evolve and grow in awareness of our divinity and our humanity.
(Pause for several moments…… Now place hand over your heart as we say the Ho’oponopono prayer)
All: I love you. I am sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you.
A Joyful Gloria: Linda Lee Miller and graphics by Rick Miller
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lA5I0nODZI
Liturgy of the Word
Mary Al: First Reading: Death Transformed by Richard Rohr on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020
[Rise up] O sleeper, awake!
Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead.
Rise up, work of my hands, for you were created in my image.
Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you.
Together . . . we cannot be separated!
I believe the Christian faith is saying that the pattern of transformation is always death transformed, not death avoided. The universal spiritual pattern is death and resurrection, or loss and renewal, if you prefer. That is always a disappointment to humans, because we want one without the other—transformation without cost or surrender.
We ordinarily learn to submit and surrender to this scary pattern only when reality demands it of us, as it is doing now. Christians are helped by the fact that Jesus literally submitted to it and came out more than okay. Jesus is our guide, the “pioneer and perfecter of our faith,” as the Letter to the Hebrews puts it.
Each time we surrender, each time we trust the dying, we are led to a deeper level. We are grounded for a while, like an electric wire, so there is less resistance and more available energy to trust it the next time. Yet it is still invariably a leap of faith, a walk through some degree of darkness.
There is something essential that we only know by dying. We really don’t know what life is until we know what death is. Divine Life is so big, so deep, and so indestructible, that it is able to include death.
In her March Newsletter from The Omega Center, entitled “Hope in a Time of Crisis,” Franciscan sister and scientist Ilia Delio wrote:
Christianity can help us realize that death and resurrection are part of the evolutionary path toward wholeness; letting go of isolated existence for the sake of deeper union. Something dies but something new is born—which is why the chaos of our times is, in a strange way, a sign of hope; something new is being born within. Out of chaos, a star is born. Breakdown can be break through if we recognize a new pattern of life struggling to emerge.
We may find Ilia’s words challenging but I hope we also find them encouraging—reminding us to look for new signs of life and new ways of being, today and in the days to come.
These are the inspired words of Richard Rohr and we respond by saying,
ALL: Let it be so.
Alle, Alle, Alleluia: Linda Lee Miller
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID5UGWcS6Ws
Mary Al: Gospel Reading: Luke 6:39-45
Jesus told his disciples a parable,
“Can a blind person guide a blind person?
Will not both fall into a pit?
No disciple is superior to the teacher;
but when fully trained,
every disciple will be like their teacher.
Why do you notice the splinter in your neighbor’s eye,
but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?
How can you say to your neighbor,
‘Let me remove that splinter in your eye,’
when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye?
It’s this – I know better than you – mentality, playing a holier-than-though part, instead of just living your own part. Remove the board from your own eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your neighbor’s eye.
“A good tree does not bear rotten fruit,
nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit.
For every tree is known by its own fruit.
For people do not pick figs from thorn bushes,
nor do they gather grapes from brambles.
A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good,
but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil;
for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.”
These are the inspired words according to the writings of Luke and we affirm them by saying, ALL: Let it be so.
Alle, Alle, Alleluia: Linda Lee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID5UGWcS6Ws
Homily Starter – Kathryn and Lee
Community Sharing
Communal Statement of Faith
Beth and 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 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
Lee: We now bring our prayer intentions to the Table.
Our response is: ALL: We ask for healing as we awaken to your call.
We pray for comfort, healing, and peace for Mindy’s family at this time of great loss. Response
We pray for the people of Ukraine that they may live in peace without fear of invasion and that goodness and sanity will fill the hearts and minds of those that would cause them harm. Response
We pray for our MMOJ intentions on our community prayer list. (Joan shares)
Our response is: We ask for healing as we awaken to your call.
For what else should we pray?
Our response is: We ask for healing as we awaken to your call.
Kathryn: Holy Mystery may we respond to the needs of our sisters and brothers in loving prayer and solidarity. Amen
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Beth: O Holy One, you have been called by many names by many people in the centuries of our planet’s life. Yet, no name truly defines you or describes you. We celebrate you as the marvelous, loving energy of life who caused us and our world to be. We celebrate you as the Source of light and life and love, and we celebrate your presence and all-ways care.
Mary Al: Please join in praying the Eucharistic prayer together: (Eucharistic prayer taken from the work of Diarmuid O’Murchu and Jay Murnane, adapted)
All: O Holy One, we stand at a critical moment in Earth’s history – a time when humanity must choose its future.
As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future holds both peril and great promise.
May we recognize that, in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms, we are one human family and one Earth and world community with a common destiny.
United with our vast universe, with our Mother-Planet and her people everywhere, with one another and You, Holy One, our spirits dance and sing this song of praise:
Song: Holy, Holy, Holy (Karen Drucker)
https://youtu.be/orKBBIj5LZA
Kathryn and ALL: We give grateful thanks for those who came before us, for all those who gave from their hearts, who gave from their lives, that there might be a better world, a safer world, a kinder world, we pray for peace in their name.
And for the children, that they may live, that they may have children of their own and that it will go on - this great blossoming that is meant to go on and on – we pray for peace, in their name.
And for all peoples of this earth who have no voice in this,
For the animals that have no voice in this,
For the plants, the trees, the flowers that have no voice in this,
For all who share this earth with us, we pray for peace in their name.
We thank you for our brother, Jesus. He showed us so simply, so tenderly, how the world is in our hands. He had nothing in this world but your love, companions on the journey, and his very self. Together, that was more than enough, and that remains our clarity in the midst of confusion: the miracle of healing, new hope, nurturance, nourishment, liberation and life.
(Please extend your hands in blessing)
Lee and All: We invoke Your Spirit upon the gifts of this Eucharistic table, bread of the grain and wine of the grape, that they may become gifts of wisdom, light and truth which remind us of our call to be the body of Christ to the world.
On the night before he faced his own death and for the sake of living fully, Jesus sat at the Seder supper with his companions and friends. He reminded them of all that he taught them, and to fix that memory clearly within them, he bent down and washed their feet.
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; this is my very self.
(pause)
Mary Al and ALL: He then raised high the cup of blessing, spoke the grace, and offered them the wine saying:
Take and drink of the covenant made new again through my life,
for you and for everyone, for liberation from every oppression.
Whenever you do this, Re-member me and all that I have taught you!
(pause)
The Spirit who raised him from the dead showed us, by Her action, that life is eternal and that love is immortal. Loving Source of All, we have looked for others to save us and to save our world. Yet, we are called, and consecrated and sent into the world to establish justice and show the blessed fulfillment that comes with simplicity and the giving of ourselves in love. We will make new our commitment to the harmony of the original vision of creation.
We will open up wide all that has been closed about us, and our small circles. Like Jesus, in all openness, we will be filled with your own Spirit and renew the face of the earth.
For it is through learning to live as he lived,
And why he lived,
And for whom he lived,
That we awaken to your Spirit within,
Moving us to worship you truly,
O Holy One,
At this time and all time and in all ways.
And we say yes to You!
Great Amen: Linda Lee Miller
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy76fpfkNsg
The Prayer of Jesus
Mary Al and ALL: Let us pray as Jesus taught us.
Amen Eternal Spirit, Earth maker, Pain bearer, Life giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be. Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven –The hallowing of your name echos through the universe.
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world,
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings.
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come to earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In the times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trial too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever.
(A contemplative prayer in the style of Taize from St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Seattle.)
Sign of Peace:
Kathryn: Jesus said to his disciples, “My peace I leave you. My peace I give you.” Let us now extend a sign of peace to one another as we hear Mindy’s song of peace.
Song: I wish you Peace by Mindy Simmons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW4grRjQd8U&list=OLAK5uy_mgY8obWBbnAy0Nz6DueyCSoh-cIb9FH6Q&index=1
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.
Mary Al: This is the bread of life and the cup of blessing. Blessed are we who are called to Christ’s table.
Beth and All: What we have heard with our ears, we will live with our lives. As we share communion, we become communion, both Love’s nourishment and Love’s challenge.
Please receive/share Eucharist now, saying: “You are the bread of life.” And “You are the cup of compassion.”
Introductions/Thanksgiving/Announcements
Closing Prayer
Lee: Oh Holy One, as your Chosen Ones, we go forth in our calling to serve and “be the change we wish to see in the world”, to bring to fruition Mindy’s vision of One World. Timeless One, Your eternal love wraps courage around us as we enter into your invitation to bring your Light into the world as we further our spiritual transformation. Your ageless presence draws us to you as we step forward, ready to embrace where you lead us. Your sustaining peace rests within our every heartbeat and accompanies us into the unknown future. We are forever grateful to live in your presence and your love. Amen.
Community Blessing
Kathryn: Please raise your hands in blessing: And together with our arms extended to one another we say:
May our lives radiate the love of the Holy One.
May we live justice and equality in our church and our world.
May we be humble enough to be like children in receiving the kindom of our Creator.
May we demonstrate through our words and actions that we are all God has called us to be.
May we walk the path of Jesus as Mindy did; singing, dancing, smiling, loving.
May the light of love be with you every day.
May we be a blessing in our time and the Face of God to all whom we meet.
ALL: Thanks be to God. Let it be so! Alleluia!
Closing Song: Life is Eternal and Love is Immortal by Carly Simon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eR1ni6sZK4
Lyrics
I've been doing a lot of thinking
About growing older and moving on
Nobody wants to be told that they're getting on
For a long, long stay
But just how long and who knows
And how and where my spirit will go
Will it soar like Jazz on a saxophone
Or evaporate on a breeze
Won't you tell me please
That life is eternal
And love is immortal
And death is only a horizon
Life is eternal
As we move into the light
And a horizon is nothing
Save the limit of our sight
Save the limit of our sight
Here on earth I'm a lost soul
Ever trying to find my way back home
Maybe that's why each new star is born
Expanding heaven's room
Eternity in bloom
And will I see you up in that heaven
In all it's light will I know you're there
Will we say the things that we never dared
If wishing makes it so
Won't you let me know
That life is eternal
And love is immortal
And death is only a horizon
Life is eternal
As we move into the light
And a horizon is nothing
Save the limit of our sight
Save the limit of our sight
If you would like to add your intercession to our MMOJ Community Prayers book,
Please send an email to 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
Bridget Mary Meehan holds a doctorate in ministry from Virginia Theological Seminary, (1987) and a Masters in Religious Studies from Catholic University of America (1980). She is the author of 20 books including Praying with Women of the Bible, The Healing Power of Prayer and Living Gospel Equality Now.