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)
One tap mobile: 1-312-626-6799
You will be able to hear the Liturgy and we will be able to hear you during our shared homily.
Theme: “You Have Anointed Me”
Welcome and Gathering
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 AND ANNOINTING OR OLIVE OIL nearby as we pray our Eucharistic prayer.
Whoever you are,
Wherever you are,
Just as you are,
You are welcome at this table. (Integral Christianity by Paul Smith)
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 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 song.
Gathering Song: “I Will Carry You” by Ellie Holcomb https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IziBz0d5yOk | |||||
Opening Prayer
Kathryn: Oh Holy One, we are delighted to gather with you and one another today as we share this sacred space and as we celebrate our oneness in you. You told us on many occasions to “love one another, as I love you.” In this time of great turmoil on our planet, 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 serve your people as your anointed ones. We give thanks for our Brother Jesus, who being both fully human and divine, showed us the way; the way to love, the way to peace and compassion, the way to creating the kindom of Holy Mystery on Earth. We rejoice that we have been given all we need to be the “Way, the Truth and the Light” as Jesus was. It is in our hands now, and with your help, we are ready. We are grateful to you for carrying us each day on this glorious and challenging journey. And to this, we say, AMEN.
Rite of Transformation
Anna D: We pause now to remember the times we have not born fruit in caring for self and others. Take a moment to recall one missed opportunity, one broken or damaged relationship. (Pause briefly and extend your hand over your heart)
ALL: As we ask for and receive forgiveness, we open our hearts to Infinite Love embracing and healing us. 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
Mary Kay: First Reading: A Reading from Floyd Red Crow Westerman Borrowed from All Natives United
“We were told that we would see America come and go. In a sense, America is dying, from within, because they forgot the instructions of how to live on earth. It's the Hopi belief, it's our belief, that if you are not spiritually connected to the earth, and understand the spiritual reality of how to live on earth, it's likely that you will not make it.
Everything is spiritual, everything has a spirit, everything was brought here by the creator, the one creator. Some people call him God, some people call him Buddha, some people call him Allah, some people call him other names. We call him Tunkaschila... Grandfather.
We are here on earth only a few winters, then we go to the spirit world. The spirit world is more real than most of us believe.
The spirit world is everything. Over 95% of our body is water. In order to stay healthy, you've got to drink good water. ... Water is sacred, the air is sacred.
Our DNA is made out of the same DNA as the tree, the tree breaths what we exhale, we need what the tree exhales. So we have a common destiny with the tree.
We are all from the earth, and when the earth, the water, the atmosphere is corrupted, then it will create its own reaction. The mother is reacting.
In the Hopi prophecy, they say the storms and floods will become greater. To me, it's not a negative thing to know that there will be great changes. It's not negative, it's evolution. When you look at it as evolution, it's time, nothing stays the same. You should learn how to plant something. That is the first connection.
You should treat all things as spirit, realize that we are one family. It's never something like the end. It's like life, there is no end to life.”
~Floyd Red Crow Westerman
Borrowed from All Natives United
“We are all connected; we all belong.”
https://youtu.be/o1rc7ojQtJU
Andrea: Gospel Readings pertaining to the sacredness of anointing with oil
Isaiah 61:1/Luke 4,18
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Spirit has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.
1 John 2:27
But, the anointing that you received from Holy Mystery abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as Sacred Spirit’s anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in Spirit.
Psalm 45:7 “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
These are the inspiring words from the prophets Gospel writers and we affirm them by saying: ALL: Thanks be to God.
Community Anointing
Kathryn: (Please dip your finger in the oil and anoint your forehead making a sign of the cross, as well as both of your palms) as we pray for the healing of ourselves, our communities, our Nation, and our world with these words:
ALL: Oh Holy One, thank you for giving us the gift of oil and the power that comes through you when we anoint with oil. As we use this oil today, we call for the powerful presence of your Spirit May our lives and the lives of others be full of blessings, good health, and wholeness. Let this anointing be a symbol of our faith in you and in ourselves to humbly serve as your anointed ones. We also use this oil symbolically to heal our nation and our world so that hatred, violence, injustice, and evil fall by the wayside and peace, justice, and equality for all reign forevermore. We ask that you fill us with overflowing kindness, compassion and love. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.
Song: You Have Anointed Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUMdXhZB08U
Homily/
Homily Starter – Kathryn Shea, ARCWP
Theme: I Have Anointed You
Some of us had the great opportunity and honor last weekend to attend our annual ARCWP Retreat in Ft. Myers, FL. This was a special annual retreat, as we were also celebrating the 20th anniversary of the ordination of seven extra-ordinary Roman Catholic Women Priests on the Danube Riveron June 29, 2002. Two of these courageous women were with us at our retreat. The retreat was special in another way. It was the secondtime the two Roman Catholic Women Priests groups (RCWP/ARCWP) celebrated liturgy and ordinations together. During our retreat, we ordained two ARCWP Roman Catholic Deacons. To say the room was Spirit-illed is an understatement.
I have attended a good number of ordinations, but I have to say, these ordinations felt extra-ordinary for me, and I’m not exactly sure why. It may be that we were all finally able to gather in person to ordain. Or maybe that we were celebrating them with our other Roman Catholic Women Priests in joy and togetherness, which has not always been the case.
The Anointing with oil during the ordinations literally grabbed my heart and soul. I had tears flowing, and the only time this has ever happened to me in an ordination was my own ordination. And perhaps because we were also planning the anointing of our dear MMOJ family members, Mary Kay and Karen, I became somewhat immersed in trying to understand the power of anointing. I soon realized, it’s really pretty simple, yet awe-some.
As we heard in some of our Gospel selections today, John 4:18-23 in particular, “we are told we are facing the last hour, and we have heard that antichrist is coming so now many antichrists are here. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.” I don’t think it takes much imagining to figure out what is meant by these works. Just look at our nation. John continues, “But you have been anointed by the Holy One and so you know. The anointing that you received from Holy Mystery abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as Sacred Spirit’s anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in Spirit.” The knowing, is the result of anointing. Our anointing from the Holy One is Truth that comes from Holy Spirit.
Hold fast to our anointing Hold fast to our anointing today and every day. Our Holy One is The Way, The Truth, and The Light. We are called to Be the same.
Now, time for shared thoughts/reflections. (please mute/unmute)
Community Sharing
Communal Statement of Faith
Lee 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 in the Holy Spirit,
The life of God that is our innermost life,
The breath of God moving in our being,
The depth of God living in each of us.
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
Jerry: We now bring our prayer intentions to the Table
Our response is: All: Holy One, we know you hear our prayers.
We pray for our MMOJ intentions on our community prayer list. (Joan shares)
Our response is: All: Holy One, we know you hear our prayers.
For what else should we pray?
Our response is: All: Holy One, we know you hear our prayers.
Anna: Holy Mystery may we respond to the needs of our sisters and brothers in loving prayer and solidarity. Amen
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Andrea: Gracious Wisdom, you embrace us with your extravagant affection in our times of both blessedness and weakness. You are always with us, carrying us, you living in us and we living in you. As we prepare for this sacred meal, we are aware of our call to serve, our call as your anointed ones to tend to the sick and dying, hold the hearts of those in emotional pain, and protect and defend the marginalized. In this festive meal, your Spirit is poured out on each of us, your anointed disciples, gathered together in this time and place. 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)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orKBBIj5LZA
Jerry: 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.
Lee and All: 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. ALL: 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]
Kathryn: 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.
Mary Kay: 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.
Anna and All: Jesus has died. Christ is risen. The Divine Presence lives in us and through us in the world today.
Jerry: 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..)
Lee and 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
The Prayer of Jesus
Mary Kay and ALL: Let us pray as Jesus taught us.
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 now extend a sign of peace to one another by saying, “Namaste, Namaste, Namaste”.
Lee: Please join in praying the Litany for the Breaking of the Bread:
Mary Kay: 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.
Andrea: This is the bread of life and the cup of blessing. Blessed are we who are called to Christ’s table.
Jerry 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.”
Communion Song: Holy Wisdom, Lamp of Learning by Earthwash
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bQgeKHA8KY
Introductions/Thanksgiving/Announcements
Community Prayer
Lee: As the anointed people of Holy Mystery, we go forth with gratitude in our hearts, strong conviction of our faith in our minds, and a fierce determination to dream new dreams. We do this with a consuming hunger for justice and nonviolence in ourselves, our homes, our country, and the world in which we live…with no exceptions. With the grace of God, the fellowship of Jesus, and the strength of the Spirit, we believe we can do all this. Let it be so.
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 have the courage to speak truth to justice in our church and in our world.
May we be humble enough to be like children in receiving the kin-dom of our Holy One.
May we be a blessing in our time and the Face of God to all whom we meet.
ALL: Thanks be to all that is holy! Go in Peace to be love in the world! Alleluia!
Closing Song: One Foot/Lead with Love by Melanie DeMore
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJEFXpS_xPs
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
