Zoom link for video - 4:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81534075389?pwd=TTdGY2NxS3AzTW13ODJESkdYME9aUT09
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)
Theme: “Choose to Hope”
Welcome and Gathering
Lee: Welcome to Mary Mother of Jesus inclusive Catholic community in Sarasota, FL. We gather together as one community, living and loving in the goodness of our Creator.
-We invite you to pray the liturgy and respond where it says “All.”
-All Zoom participants will be muted during the liturgy, except for the Readers. If you would like to make a comment at our shared Homily time or time of Introductions, please unmute yourself, make your comment, and then, please mute yourself again.
-Please have bread and wine/juice nearby as we pray our Eucharistic prayer.
-Our theme today is, “Choose to Hope”
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, Earth. Let us begin our liturgy by expressing this love through song.
Opening Song: I Heard an Owl by Carrie Newcomer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8WC2Y3CS8Y
Opening Prayer
Kathryn: Oh Holy One, we delight that you are here with us today as we gather with one another, both in person and on Zoom. We share this sacred space and celebrate our oneness in and with You. Dear Creator, our hearts are heavy today as we mourn the innocent souls lost through gun violence in our country in the past two weeks. We hold the families of those murdered in Buffalo, California, and Texas in our hearts. We know their lives will never be the same. You told us that “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am among you.” We are grateful you are among us today during these very difficult times on our planet Earth. In this time of great loss and turmoil, we need to more fully embrace and act upon Your Commandment to “Love One Another.” As we gather today, may we be ever more mindful of our call and responsibility to care for Mother Earth and all of her people.
We also give thanks for our Brother, Jesus, who showed us how to care for all creation and how to Be love. We have been shown 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, a difficult journey these days, and that You continue to teach us through Spirit Sophia, Holy Wisdom. And to this, we say, AMEN.
Reconciliation Rite
Russ: Let us remember we are born in Divine Blessing and that we are perfect in the Holy One’s eyes. Let us also realize, and forgive ourselves, for not always acting in ways of Divine Blessing, both towards ourselves and others. Now, let us imagine all of the ways we can be 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.
Glory to God - by Marty Haugen and video by Bridget Mary Meehan and
Mary Theresa Streck
https://youtu.be/udjH7EON5IY
Liturgy of the Word
Jerry: First Reading - Tragedy in Uvalde by Marianne Williamson (adapted)
An 18 yr old young man walked into a gun store and bought two assault weapons, then killed his grandmother, nineteen children and two adults today at their Uvalde, Texas elementary school.
"When in God’s name are we going to stand up to the gun lobby?” the president asked in his speech tonight. "Where is our backbone? When in God's name are we going to do what in our guts we know needs to be done?"
And he’s right. This tragedy doesn't just say something about the shooter; it says something about all of us. Particularly it says something about our Congress, which is dripping in blood money donated by the NRA.
The end of every age is redolent with difficulties, and this is definitely the end of an age. We will either be getting exceedingly better or exceedingly worse. Those are our only two choices. As it says in A Course in Miracles, it is not up to us what we learn but only whether we learn through joy or through pain. We are going to start putting love before money, or we’re going down.
Our society is now governed by principles that are not loving, that put the goal of short term corporate profits before the health and safety of people and planet. And we are suffering the consequences. That is a mental health issue. We will change, or as a society we will continue to suffer a precipitous decline.
Love will prevail because it always does. God’s Will has never not been done. But how long it takes for us to get there, and how much suffering will have to occur first, is entirely up to us.
That, to me, is the spiritual meaning of this moment. The question isn’t “How long, oh God, how long?” Rather, that’s the question He asks us. “How long, oh people, how long?”
There is very little to say about today’s shooting that has not already been said. We need to outlaw bump stocks. We need stronger background checks. We need to outlaw assault weapons. We need stronger red flag laws. And we need to replace almost every lawmaker who gets a rating from the NRA that is other than an F.
And of course the shooter had a mental health issue. But we’ve got to stop using that as an excuse to cover up a larger malfeasance. Outsized greed is a mental health issue. A sociopathic economic system that puts money before people is a mental issue. A society that sacrifices its children for the sake of corporate profits is a mental health issue. Yes, the shooter had a mental health problem. But he was only reflecting a larger one. Every time we take any action private or public that lacks compassion or mercy, we are perpetuating the madness.
These are difficult times, but we ourselves can and must make the difference. In the words of John F. Kennedy, “Here on earth, God’s work must surely be our own.”
These are the inspiring words of Marianne Williamson and we affirm them by saying, Let it be so.
Alle, Alle, Alleluia: Linda Lee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID5UGWcS6Ws
Suzanne: Gospel Reading: John 17:20-26
Jesus looked up to heaven and said:
I do not pray for them alone,
I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
That all may be one,
as you, Abba, are in me and I in you,
I pray that they may be one in us,
so that the world may believe that you sent me.
I have given them the glory you gave me,
that they may be one, as we are one,
I in them and you in me,
that they may be made perfect in unity.
Then the world will know that you sent me,
and that you loved them even as you loved me.
Abba, I ask that those you gave me,
may be here with me,
So they can see this glory of mine
which is your gift to me.
Because of the love you had for me
before the foundation of the world.
Holy One, the world also does not know you,
but I know you,;
And these people know
that you sent me.
To them I have revealed your Name,
and I will continue to reveal it
So that the love for me
may live in them,
just as I may live in them.
These are the words shared by the gospel writer, John, and we acknowledge them by saying, AMEN.
Alle, Alle, Alleluia: Linda Lee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID5UGWcS6Ws
Homily Starter – Kathryn
Community Sharing
Communal Statement of Faith
Mary Al: 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 and for the Community
Russ: We now bring our prayer intentions to the Table.
Our response is: ALL: You heal us as we awaken to your call.
We pray for the devastated families of all those recently killed in senseless acts of violence in our country. R
We pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia that they may live in peace without fear and that goodness and sanity will fill the hearts and minds of those that would cause them harm. R
We pray that our government puts children above guns, power, and greed. R
We pray for our MMOJ intentions on our community prayer list. (Joan M shares)
Our response is: You heal us as we awaken to your call.
For what else should we pray?
Our response is: You heal us as we awaken to your call.
Holy Mystery may we respond to the needs of our sisters and brothers in loving prayer and solidarity. Amen
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Lee: 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.
Suzanne Please join in praying the Eucharistic prayer together: (Eucharistic prayer taken from work of Diarmuid O’Murchu and Jay Murnane, adapted)
Suzanne and 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.
Russ: 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)
Jerry and All: Your Spirit is upon the gifts of this Eucharistic table, bread of the grain and wine of the grape, and they are 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)
Russ 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)
Mary Al and ALL: The Spirit who raised Jesus 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 Abba Prayer
Lee and All:
Gracious Spirit,
Who loves us like a mother,
Whose realm is blooming among us now.
And within.
We pray that your compassion guide us in every action.
Give us what we need for each day,
and help us to be satisfied with the miracle of that alone.
Forgiver, whose embrace brings us to wholeness without our asking,
May we reconcile ourselves to one another in humility.
And may we cancel the crushing debts that imprison our neighbours
So that communities of joy and health may flourish.
May we neither profit from nor ignore evil.
But ever work to thwart it with non-violence
As we co-create the realm of peace in this world.
Now and each day.
Amen. (Bret Hesla/wsj)
Sign of Peace:
Suzanne Jesus said to his disciples, “My peace I leave you. My peace I give you.” We send peace and love to the families of all those taken from their loved ones. Let us now extend a sign of peace to one another and to our world as bow and say, “Namaste, Namaste, Namaste”.
Jerry: Please join in praying the Litany for the Breaking of the Bread:
Jerry 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.
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.”
Communion Song: (dedicated to the families who lost loved ones)
Precious Child, Gone Too Soon by Karen Taylor Good
https://youtu.be/aq4qV7v1xNI
Closing Prayer
Lee: Oh Holy One, we go forth in our calling to serve and committed to our own spiritual transformation so that we might work together to transform our earth to one of peace, equality, and justice for all. Timeless One, Your eternal love wraps courage around us as we enter into your invitation to bring your Light and your Peace into our hurting world. 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 have no fear. We are forever grateful to live in your presence and your love. Amen.
Community Blessing
Kathryn: Please raise your hands in blessing: And together we say:
May God bless you with discomfort...
at easy answers, hard hearts,
half-truths ,and superficial relationships.
May God bless you so that you may live
from deep within your heart
where God's Spirit dwells.
May God bless you with anger...
at injustice, oppression,
and exploitation of people.
May God bless you so that you may
work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless you with tears...
to shed for those who suffer from pain,
rejection, starvation and war.
May God bless you so that you
may reach out your hand
to comfort them and turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless you with
enough foolishness
to believe that you can make a difference
in this world, in your neighborhood,
so that you will courageously try
what you don't think you can do, but,
in Jesus Christ you'll have all the strength necessary.
May God bless you to fearlessly
speak out about injustice,
unjust laws, corrupt politicians,
unjust and cruel treatment of prisoners,
and senseless wars,
genocides, starvations, and poverty that is so pervasive.
May God bless you that you remember
we are all called
to continue God's redemptive work
of love and healing
in God's place, in and through God's name,
in God's Spirit, continually creating
and breathing new life and grace
into everything and everyone we touch.
Source: "Troubadour: A Missionary Magazine," published by the Franciscan Missionary Society, Liverpool, UK: Spring 2005.
ALL: Thanks be to God. Let it be so! Alleluia!
Closing Song: Choose to Hope by Marty Hagen video by Mary Theresa Streck
https://youtu.be/bOQJUbu9_wQ
Call Congress today to immediately pass Manchin-Toomey Bill in response to mass shootings. (202) 224-3121
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
