Bridget Mary's Blog: 8/14/22

Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community

Interesting, Inviting, Inspiring and Involving

21^st Week in Extra-Ordinary Time

August 20, 2022

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

Presiders: Kathryn Shea ARCWP and Lee Breyer

Prayer Leaders: Pat Lewis and Joan Meehan

Music Ministers: Linda Lee and Rick Miller

Music Planner: Kathryn Shea

IT Team: Peg Bowen and Cheryl Brandi

Theme: “Be Compassionate, as Our Loving God is Compassionate.”

Opening Welcome

[Lee] Welcome to the sharing of our weekly liturgy celebration of the Eucharist held at Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community.

At the service, we invite everyone to pray with one another where you see the marker ALL on your service guides. However, for most of the time, everyone will be muted – or “silenced” – except for the Presiders and the Prayer Leaders who have special roles in the service. When you are given an opportunity to speak so that you can be heard by others (such as at the Shared Homily, the Prayers of the Community, and the Statements of Gratitude) please un-mute yourselves so that you can be heard by your brothers and sisters, and then, when you are finished with your comment, re-mute yourselves so that others may be heard as you were. Lastly, please have your bread and wine (or juice) conveniently available for the Eucharistic Prayer when you will consecrate them and they become the Body and Blood of our brother, Jesus the Christ. So now let us take a few minutes to collect ourselves as we prepare to focus our minds and our hearts on the knowledge that we are all one who are brought together to celebrate our oneness with one another and our oneness with our Creator.

And let us take this opportunity now to celebrate that oneness with each other in a song.

Opening Hymn – Compassion (Change the World) by Andrew Witt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV9pGpI1MDo

Opening Prayer

[Kathryn] God of compassion, we celebrate your gift of love often since we experience it in the unfolding of your creation in the events of our lives. We have gathered here together at this time, conscious that the Spirit of Wisdom moves in each one of us – every day- as She has moved in all of creation since the very beginning of life. We give you thanks for having come among us in the person of Jesus of Nazareth centuries ago and who has shown us that, even today, we are able to experience you among our brothers and sisters. We rejoice that Jesus, during his time on earth, showed us how we could experience your sacredness in our personal lifestyles - in our own ordinary and everyday behaviors - and how that can enable us to be the better persons and more welcoming neighbors to all our brothers and sisters that you created us to be. Amen.

Penitential Rite and Community Forgiveness

[Joan M] Creator God, we ask you to send your Spirit to us so that we can act more fully as you would have us do. We know that we need to more thoroughly understand that through your grace, all people, wherever they may be on this earth, we are one family…and that you have made all of us worthy to be called your Blessed People.

[Pat L and ALL] (with an outstretched arm) God, Father and Mother of Compassion, through Jesus’ life here on earth, he revealed to us that nothing can ever separate us from your unconditional love for us. Jesus sent the HOLY Spirit to give us the understanding and the willingness that we need so that we can love one another as He would have us do. And now, we ask you to grant us the grace of pardon and peace so that that we may forgive each other our failures to care for one another and for our planet earth. We do this in the names of Jesus, our brother, and of the Holy Spirit, our healer and comforter. Amen.

Today is a time that our Gracious God has made for us to be together in this liturgy, so let us take this opportunity to celebrate and rejoice our oneness now with one another in song. In recognition of God’s blessing, let us sing “Glory to God…”

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

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

Liturgy of the Word.

[Lee] Most, if not all, of us praying with one another today in this liturgy would have virtually no difficulty recalling, from their memories, stories of Jesus’ compassionate healing activities with the many people that He encountered while on earth. There are many stories in the New Testament which describes how Jesus was a very popular person to those in need. One of those stories will be presented to us now by Joan M.

[Joan M] This was written for us by Mark in his first chapter.

One evening at sundown, people brought to Jesus many of those persons in the area who were sick or possessed with demons or some similar problem. The whole town was gathered around the door of the place where Jesus was located. They knew that Jesus had cured many people who were sick with various diseases and had cast out many demons. That treatment is what the troubled people needed… and that was what they asked for …and this is what Jesus did in this situation.

Then, in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed, as was his custom. Shortly afterwards, Simon and his companions hunted for Jesus to satisfy the good-sized gathering. When the disciples did find Jesus they told him…”everyone is searching for you.” On that occasion, a leper had come to Jesus, begging him for relief from his illness. Kneeling in front of Jesus, the leper said to him “if you want to do so, you can make me clean.” Then, moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand, touched the leper and said to him, “I do choose to heal you; you will be made clean.” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was relieved of it.

[Joan M]: In this passage from Mark, Jesus did more than simply heal the leper-ridden person who approached him and was in need: Jesus actually restored him to his community. In response to this successful healing and the man’s restoration to the life he was accustomed to, we can say:

Amen, Alleluia

[Lee] The types of compassionate actions of Jesus and needy persons such as the leper- are described in the New Testament in many places. The story of the next passage is less common, it is recorded only in Luke, his 7^th chapter, verses 11-16. It will be shared with us by Kathryn.

[Kathryn] And one day, Jesus and his disciples went to a nearby city, and there, as usual, they were accompanied by a large crowd or attracted one. When they got near the gate to the city, a man who had died was being carried out in a coffin. Sadly enough, the man was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.)

A large crowd from the area was with her at the coffin; they were accompanying her in her time of sorrow. When Jesus saw her with her dead son, he was moved with it and said to her, ”Do not weep”. Then he went over to the coffin and touched it. At this, the crowd was silenced...and Jesus said “young man, I tell you to rise!” The “dead’’ man sat up and began to speak, and then Jesus gave him to his mother. The people who experienced this claimed that a great prophet had arisen in their midst; “God has visited his people!”

Now this act of compassion by Jesus, dealing with a dead man, only son of a widow, was a not-so-frequent experience...and was very successful in restoring the man to his life, and his mother to a small family. The people thought highly of Jesus’ act and praised him about the experience. Having heard this story described by Luke, we can join the people with our praise as well. We can say:

Amen, Alleluia

[Lee] So far today, we have heard two examples of the compassionate behavior of Jesus…that is that it was something that Jesus did to someone. In this case, one story was regarding a severely ill man and the other one was someone who had already died.

What might be more involving for us is a description of what Jesus is telling us how we are to behave with someone who is probably healthy and certainly not dead. This is how we are to be compassionate with our alive and living brothers and sisters. This event is described by Matthew in his fifth chapter. It will be proclaimed to us by Joan M.

[Joan M] This is what Jesus said to his disciples. You’ve heard the commandment, “…an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But now I tell you, do not resist someone who wrongs you. When someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn and offer the other one too. If anyone wants to sue you for your shirt, let him have your coat as well. Should someone press you into service for him for one mile, offer two miles if you are able. When some needy person begs you for something that you have, give it to him. And do not turn your back on those who want to borrow from you, lend t it to him if you can.

[Pat L] You have also heard “love your neighbor, but hate your enemy.’ But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. This will prove that you are children of God…for God makes his sun to rise and shine on bad and good people, the just and the unjust alike. You, therefore, are to be perfect, even as your heavenly Holy Mystery is perfect

You, therefore, are to be perfect, even as your heavenly Holy Mystery is perfect. We can say: Amen and Alleluia!

Celtic Alleluia:

https://youtu.be/o1rc7ojQtJU

Shared Homily and Community Reflection

Lee Breyer

Profession of Faith

[Kathryn and ALL] We believe in the Divine Mystery, God, the Creator of the universe whose divinity infuses all that exists or ever will -- making everything, everywhere, forever sacred.

We believe in Jesus of Nazareth, the enlightened person who carried the message of God’s word wherever He went. He showed us, through his example, how we could heal ourselves and others; Jesus was – and still is – truly the heart of God’s compassion. Jesus is the bright star in the firmament of God’s prophets, mystics, and saints that lived then and will do so in all the tomorrows of the planets that will ever exist. And it is through Jesus that we become a new people with one story, one that calls us beyond the consequences of our brokenness. We are here on earth to share His message, namely that we are all holy people that we were all born holy and that we shall be holy forever more.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Wisdom of God who keeps the Christ vision present to all those who are searching for meaning and wholeness in their lives. She is the Sustainer who heals and energizes us when our spirits may grow weary in our journeys. She strengthens our calls to follow Jesus as a vehicle of God’s love. It is through her shared strength with us that we can pray “Amen to the partnership and equality of all people of different genders, races and faiths. It is because of her that we are able to seriously believe in a world of justice and peace for everyone, everywhere, with no exceptions.

And it is through the grace of the Creator, of Jesus, and of the Spirit that we know that God’s kindom in here with us now and will always be for those with eyes to recognize it, hearts to receive it and hands to spread it to everyone we meet. In all of this we surely believe.

Prayers of the Community

[Lee] We are, indeed, a family of friends, one that has a variety of needs for each one’s individual journey. Since “we are a people of faith” - as we proclaim in our prayers and actions - we bring our needs of all sorts to our “tables of concerns and care” to God, to Jesus, to the Holy Spirit, and to one another at this time.

After each intercession, we respond…

R. Compassionate God, we ask you to bless our petitions and to strengthen us on our journeys.

[Pat L] For those many people in Ukraine and its neighboring areas that are being damaged and even destroyed. R.

For those with dwelling places in US areas that are damaged by wind, water, and storms and whose occupants cannot find recourses for their situations. R.

For those who are new or have been recently dealing with Covid or its migrant and are praying for restored health for themselves, their families and their friends. R.

For those who are hurting from spiritual or personal aloneness situations. R

For those whose intentions are identified in Joan’s community prayer book. R.

And for what else to we pray? R

[Pat and ALL] Healing God, you faithfully listen to our prayers and our concerns and we are grateful for that. We ask you to strengthen us in our caring for one another and in our works for justice equality and peace in a word without violence. R.

Gathering of the Gifted

[Joan M] Merciful God, we - your people – are united in the sacrament gathering by our common love of Jesus. We are in communion with everyone, everywhere, who shares your gift of compassion, especially those who are marginalized and oppressed. May we love tenderly as we attempt to do justice and walk humbly with you in solidarity with our sisters and brothers. And in doing so, we live always as prophetic witnesses to the gospel of Jesus and are witnesses of you everywhere we go.

And now, in joyful song, we celebrate our unity with you, with Jesus, and with one another. Let us now lift up our hearts and share our voices in doing that.

Song: Holy, Holy, Holy (Karen Drucker)

https://youtu.be/orKBBIj5LZA

Eucharistic Prayer

[Kathryn] We thank you, loving and compassionate God for the gift of Jesus of Nazareth in history – and the gift of Jesus the Christ in faith. You brought him from among all your people on earth to bless us with your Spirit. His life was moved by his consuming vision of your presence in himself and in his mission. He showed us, through his examples, not only how we should live, but also what we might even die for…as he did.

And when his time on earth had come to an end, Jesus – aware of and accepting his destiny – gave up his life as a witness of the values that he deeply believed, lived and taught…namely, that his conviction that love is stronger than death. And then, in providing an example of this wisdom for all the peoples in ages to come, he followed his mission and for that, “paid the price” for doing so. Then the Spirit raised him from the dead and, through that resurrection blessing, showed us that life is eternal and that love is immortal. And that same Spirit that lived in Jesus will be resurrected in each one of us. The Jesus of history and faith is with us today as He will be through the end of time. And the Spirit that lived in Jesus raised Him to a new life. That Spirit of His resurrection is promised to each one of us as well.

[Lee] 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: remember me and all that I have taught you. This is the new and everlasting covenant.

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.

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

Jesus has died; Christ is risen; and the Cosmic Christ lives in us…and loves through us – in the world today. He will do so tomorrow and forever.

[Joan M] Compassionate God, we truly need your Wisdom today… the vision that inspired Jesus then, and the strength of the Spirit that will bring us through our difficult times now. Help us to grow in our love for everyone we come in contact with, especially those who live on the margins of their communities and social societies. Those people are all our brothers and sisters, and they are all reflections of your love and care for all of creation. We especially remember now all those, living and dead, who have touched our lives and left their footprints on our hearts. We remember those blessed people in our prayers at this time.

(Pause in silence for recollections of family members and friends who have left the earth to go to their eternal homes.)

The Prayer of Jesus

[Lee] And now, having had those people who have marked our lives brought to our thoughts, let us say the Prayer of Jesus, presented to us through Matthew’s writing.

[Kathryn] Our God who is in heaven and in all of us here on earth, the rich and the poor, the well-satisfied and the hungry, the free and the oppressed, the leadership and the marginalized and everyone in circles of their communities, and especially those who have been excluded in their societies.

May your kindom come and your will be done in our actions as we struggle with the complexities of the world and we seemingly try to confront greed and the desires of the poor people gathered among themselves, but who seem to be plentiful in our nation and in the entire global community.

[Pat L] Give us this day our daily bread; bread that we are called to share, bread that you have given us abundantly, and the bread that we should distribute fairly while nourishing those who are healthy and needy people, both groups who are part of your holy family.

Forgive us our trespasses, those times that we have turned away from the struggles of other peoples and countries, and for those times we have thought primarily – and sometimes even only – of our own selves.

[Joan M] Strengthen us in times of temptation, the temptations to close our minds, our ears and our eyes to the unfair global systems that create ever-larger and long-lasting gaps between the rich and the poor…the temptations to think that some things are just too complex a situation to deal with and it is too difficult to consider other alternatives.

Deliver us from evil, the evil of the world where violence happens even in your name, where the wealth of a few is more important than the economic rights of all, where gates and other barriers between people are considered just too difficult to resolve to bring about situations that are peaceful.

May your kindom come, O God, for you will bring about peace and justice in the blessed time to come. Amen…and Alleluia!

Passing of the peace of Jesus, the Christ.

[Kathryn] Jesus, you said to your disciples, “My peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Look on the faith of the community celebrating this liturgical service and grant all of them your peace. Following your example and with the strength of the Spirit, help us spread that peace throughout the world, to everyone, everywhere, with no exceptions. Amen.

Song: Let there be peace on earth…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRFNg-Eyt_0

Litany at the Breaking of the Bread

[Lee] Loving God, you call us to Spirit-filled service and to live the Gospel of non-violence for peace and justice. We will live justly.

Loving God, you call us to be your presence in the world and to be bearers of forgiveness and understanding, healing and compassion everywhere in your name. We will love tenderly.

Loving God, you call us to speak truth to power, we will walk humbly with you.

This, loving God, is the good news of your message – it has been passed through Jesus to each one of us. Let it be so!

Communion

[Kathryn] Here is the time or occasion when we consume the blessed bread and drink that we have consecrated in this Celebration so that it is the Body and Blood of Jesus.

Communion Meditation

Bread of Life by Rory Cooney-Video by Mary Theresa Streck

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7aYkPE5YDE

Introductions - Gratitudes - Announcements

And now, having prayed for peace on earth, would anyone like to share their ideas about new or infrequently persons to our liturgies…their information about their gratitudes, introductions, or any announcements that they would like to share with the rest of us? If so, please do so now. Thank you.

Closing Blessing

[Joan] (with hands raised toward one another, let us pray)

Compassionate and loving God, may the Eucharist that we just shared move us deeply in our oneness with you and with one another. May our hearts be glad on our journeys as we dream new dreams and see new visions. May we all live and work for peace, justice, and nonviolence in our hearts for ourselves and for our brothers and sisters...whoever they are and wherever they may be. May we always remember, with gratitude, that we are the face of God to the World. Amen.

Closing Song – Caring and Compassion by Red Grammer