Bridget Mary's Blog: 10/16/22

Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community

Thirtieth Sunday in Extra- Ordinary Time

October 22, 2022

Presiders: Beth Ponce and Elena Garcia

Lectors: Andrea Seabough and Mary Kay Staudohar

Readers: Pat Lewis and Cathy Alexander

Music Ministers: Linda Lee and Rick Miller

IT Team: Cheryl Brandi and Peg Bowen

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

Theme: Gratitude and Humility

(Beth): Welcome to our Zoom liturgy at Mary Mother of Jesus, an inclusive Catholic Community where all are welcome.

Whoever you are,

Wherever you are,

Just as you are,

You are welcome at this table. (Integral Christianity by Paul Smith)

~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.

~Following the homily starter, we welcome respectful sharing as inspired by Holy Spirit Sophia Wisdom ( unmute and remute when finished)

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

(Elena): Let us begin by calling to mind that the grace of our Brother Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit is with us all. Response: Holy Mystery is with us indeed!

Gathering Hymn: Canticle of The Sun (Eyenfian Sylvester)

https://youtu.be/3eU1qJrNI1Q

(Elena): Welcome and Theme

We are called to be humble. Easier said than done! What does that even mean? Don’t be arrogant? The answer lies in understanding ourselves in relationship with our merciful God. Humility and gratitude are interconnected. Being grateful is to see everything as gift.

Unlike a payment or a reward, a gift is undeserved. To understand that we have not earned, nor are we entitled to, anything we are given, is humility. Etiquette dictates that we demonstrate appreciation in order to have received a gift well. Integrity dictates that we are interiorly moved through humility to gratitude and its expression. Our faith dictates, or rather, calls us to receive God’s gifts, including every breath we draw, with a deepening humility. We, ourselves are a gift from God and the only gift we have to give in return is gratitude. It’s not a trade, but a transformation of the heart when we understand who we are. Nothing we could present would earn God’s mercy.

(Authored by Kelly Bourke for “Living With Christ”.)

Opening Prayer

(Beth): Oh Holy One, it is with hearts full of joy that we gather as a community to celebrate our oneness in you. In this moment in time, we anchor ourselves in our oneness with you and one another. We call forth and remember your forever sustaining words to “act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly” with You. We know that you are with us as we walk each day in conscious awareness of our responsibility to bring forth your kindom of justice on Earth. This is the day you have made, O holy One, let us rejoice and be glad in it! And to this, we all say, AMEN!

All: We accept your love and understanding of the frailty of our human nature.

(Beth): We join with you, Jesus, the Anointed One, believing the strength and insight of Spirit Sophia will lead us to deeper dedication to justice, equality and peace in our world. All: Amen.

Transformation Rite

(Pause briefly and reflect on the need to grow more in love with others and with creation.)

(Pat): We lament there are many in our world and certainly close to home, who lack the necessities of daily life. May we all learn the ways of compassion and justice, we pray:

All: Transform us, O Holy One.

(Pat): In our hope for a better world we embrace, with humility, the challenge to learn new perspectives because of our respect for diversity, we pray:

All: Transform us, O Holy One.

(Pat): In our hope for a better world we embrace that force within ourselves, and the force that is beyond ourselves, that makes forgiveness possible. And so, we pray:

All: Transform us, O Holy One

THE SIGN OF PEACE: (Elena) It is fitting that, having asked for Divine and mutual forgiveness, we now extend an expression of Peace to each other.

All: Grant us Your peace O Loving God, that following the example of Jesus and with the strength of the Spirit, we may be eager to spread that peace to everyone, everywhere, with no exceptions. Amen

(Elena): May the peace of our gracious and loving God be always with us. Let us turn to each other and with praying hands offer each other a sign of peace. NAMASTE 3x

GLORIA

(Beth): Let us lift our voices in praise ….

All: Glory to the Holy One who surrounds us, who lives within us, whose Sacred Word is shared by us in our world.

Glory to the Spirit of Life, who offers us peace, peace in our hearts, and peace with one another as we reach out to one another and ask for blessing.

Glory to the Spirit of Life, who invites us to learn the lessons of our mistakes.

Glory to Jesus who teaches us how to live the Gospels, who invites us to be healers of heart, body and soul.

You, O Holy One, are one with us. We have the strength to live your gospel message, in our Church, and in our world,

We depend upon the ever-present Spirit to be recognized by us as we journey in the present and rejoice in the life before us.

Glory to the Spirit of Life, Amen

Presider: As we prepare to listen to the sacred word let us be open to the messages of humility and how we can transform our lives embracing new understanding. We call upon the Spirit Divine as we listen to these readings broken open and shared by all. This we ask in the name of the Holy One.

All: Amen

Liturgy of The Word

(Mary Kay) First Reading: Sirach 35:12 – 14, 16 – 18

For the Most High is a judge who does not respect individuals or grant favors at the expense of the poor; YHWH listens to the prayers of those who are exploited. YHWH will never ignore the pleas of the orphan or the widowed, as they pour out their hearts. To be accepted, you must give of yourself as The Most High requires— Then your prayer will reach the clouds. The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds. Until it is heard, there is no comfort for them;

Yet they do not give up until YHWH answers them, giving the just what is theirs, and granting them justice.

These are the inspired words of the prophet Sirach and to this we say.

All: Amen.

(Andrea) Psalm 34: Responsorial: Our God Hears the Cry of the Poor.

I will bless our God at all times; Praise will continually be in my mouth.

My soul will rejoice in Our God; let the humble hear it and be glad.

R: Our God hears the cry of the poor.

The face of Our God is against the evildoers / to root up their memories from the earth. The righteous cried; the Most High heard/ and saved them out of all their troubles.

R: Our God hears the cry of the poor.

Our God is close to the brokenhearted / and rescues those whose spirit is crushed. Our God redeems those who serve, /all those taking refuge in God will be freed.

R: Our God hears the cry of the poor.

(Mary Kay) Second Reading: Living with a Radical Spirit,

Sister Mary Ellen Plumb, author

Imagine a world where individuals understand that there are multiple approaches to every question. Ask any 10 people their thoughts on the virtue of humility and you will receive an amazing array of answers and reactions to the inquiry. Unless you ask a Benedictine. For Benedictine monastics, humility is the cornerstone of the Rule of Benedict and the foundation of our life. The central premise of humility is that right relationships are the foundation of justice and peace. Joan Chittister, OSB, in her book on the virtue of humility, “Radical Spirit: 12 Ways to Live a Free and Authentic Life,” sparked my imagination enough to envision a world, our world, steeped in humility.

~Imagine a world where individuals acknowledge in real and daily ways the existence of God, whomever they believe God to be, and uphold all paths to spirituality, even those not their own.

~Imagine a world where individuals understand that there are multiple approaches to every question, every situation, and are open, even delighted, to learn from the wisdom of others.

~Imagine a world where individuals are honest about themselves, acknowledge their gifts and their flaws in equal measure and actively seek to grow toward their fullest human selves.

~Imagine a world where individuals hold every good thing they have been given, including the Earth itself, with reverent care and an open, generous hand.

~Imagine a world where individuals refuse to ridicule or diminish anyone, anytime, for any reason and intentionally communicate as reasonable and righteous people and demand the same of others.

~Imagine a world where individuals consciously strive to become a peaceful and serene presence that leads anyone they encounter to a sense of the sacred in life.

For the simple and humble monk, Benedict, who lived in the sixth century, such humility was an antidote to the corrupt world in which he lived. I hope, I dream, I imagine that humility, in this 21st century, might do the same for our broken world.

Imagine with me. Choose any image I’ve offered and carry it around with you for a week, intentionally working to make it real. Add images of your own. Imagine with me and we, together, can shout with integrity: Welcome to the heart of God!

These is a reflection on humility shared by Joan Chittister and Mary Ellen Blumb. Reflections is a column by religious leaders in the region. Sister Mary Ellen Plumb is a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, 6101 East Lake Road, Harborcreek Township, and is on the staff of Monasteries of the Heart.

Gospel Acclamation: : Celtic Alleluia:

https://youtu.be/o1rc7ojQtJU

(Andrea) Gospel Reading: A reading from the Gospel according to Luke 18: 9 – 14

Jesus spoke this parable addressed to those who believed in their own self-righteousness while holding everyone else in contempt: “Two people went up to the Temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed like this: ‘I give you thanks, O God, that I am not like others – greedy, crooked. adulterous—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week. I pay tithes on everything I earn.’ The other one, however, kept a distance, not even daring to look up to heaven. In real humility, all the tax collector said was, ‘O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’ Believe me, the tax collector went home from the Temple right with God, where the Pharisee did not. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Gospel Acclamation: Celtic Alleluia:

https://youtu.be/o1rc7ojQtJU

Shared Homily/Community Reflection

(Beth) Affirmation of Faith -- Let us together affirm our faith:

(Beth and All): We believe in our Creator who nurtures the earth and who resides in our expanding universe.

We believe in Jesus, the Word incarnate, who journeyed on the earth, instilling faith in his followers so that they may continue the work He began.

We believe in the Spirit of Life, the breath of wisdom Sophia, who fills us with the breath of Life,

We believe God, through us ,supports our friends and families and all with whom we journey in this life.

We believe in the communion of saints, our heavenly friends who walk with us in love as we continue our life journey.

We believe in our prophetic call to speak truth to power and live Gospel teachings. Amen.

Prayers of the Community

(Pat): We now bring our prayer intentions to the Table. Our response is: Heal us as we awaken to your call.

~We bring to the table the devastated families of all those in Kentucky, California, and elsewhere impacted by deadly floods, wildfires, and other weather related disasters. R. Heal us as ……….

~We bring to the table 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. Heal us as…….

~We bring to the table all those still suffering the ravages of hurricane Ian. We remember those who have died and those who have lost their homes, possessions, and businesses. May we support their efforts to rebuild their lives. R. Heal us as………

~We pray that our government puts children above guns, power, and greed. R. Heal us as…….

~We pray that all who are suffering at the hands of our Nation’s unjust policies know that we stand in solidarity with them and send them our love.

R. Heal us as……

~We pray for our MMOJ intentions on our community prayer list. (Joan M shares)

~For what else should we pray? Begin with, “I bring to the table..” Our response is: 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

Elena) Let us listen as Joe Wise helps us to bring ourselves with gratitude and humility, just the way we are, to the celebration of Eucharist.

Song: We offer our gifts. 🎶 “Here is My Life” by Joe Wise

https://youtu.be/Ao5VnopCP-Y

Preparation of the Gifts

(Cathy) Blessed are You, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, this grain of the earth that human hands have prepared for our use. It will become for us the bread of life.

All: Blessed be God forever

(Cathy): Blessed are you God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, this fruit of the vine that human hands have prepared for our use. It will become for us our spiritual drink.

All: Blessed be God forever.

Gathering of the Gifts

(Beth):

All: Loving and caring God, we, your people are united in this sacrament by our common love of Jesus. We are one with all beings in the community of creation and with all those who share your gift of compassion, especially toward those who are marginalized and oppressed. May we love tenderly, do justice and walk humbly with you in solidarity with our sisters and brothers. May we strive to live as prophetic witnesses to the Gospel of our brother Jesus, supported by the wisdom that directed him and by the Wisdom of the Spirit who supports us. Amen.

(Pat): Let us give thanks to the Creator and Sustainer of all that exists.

All: With hearts full of love, we give God thanks and praise.

(Pat): Holy Spirit, we realize your presence among us as we gather at the family table.

All: Fill us with reverence for you, for one another, and for all of creation.

(Pat): Let us lift up our hearts.

All: We lift them up to the Holy One who lives in us and loves others through us.

(Pat): God dwells in each one of us. All: Namaste!

Eucharistic Prayer

(Andrea and All) Loving God, you embrace us with your extravagant affection in our times of both blessedness and weakness. You are always with us…you live in us and we live in you. May we reflect your compassionate care in everything we do and say with everyone we meet today. And moved by the Spirit, each one of us will sing our shared blessing:

Song: Holy, Holy, Holy (Karen Drucker)

https://youtu.be/orKBBIj5LZA

(Mary Kay and All):

We thank you, God, for the gift of Jesus in history – and the gift of Jesus in faith. Through him, you breathe life into us. He was moved by his vision of your constant presence in everyone, everywhere he went. He revealed you in everything he did in his life well lived. And he showed us, through his example, not only how we should live, but also for what we may die.

(Elena) Epiclesis: Chris Williamson will sing this “Invocation”

https://youtu.be/-K_kdP-rVDY

**Please extend your hands over the bread and wine as we pray together:

(Elena and All) O God, let your Spirit of life, healing and wholeness come upon these gifts that we brought from your fields and placed on our table – this simple wheat and wine. May She make them holy so that they will become for us the Body and Blood of Jesus, our brother.

(Elena) When his time on earth had come to an end, Jesus - aware of and accepting his destiny - gave up 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 his wisdom for all people in every age to come, he opened wide his arms and died on a cross.

** Please stretch out your arm over the bread and cup

(Elena) We remember the gift that Jesus gave us 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)

(Beth) 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.

(Beth): 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: Christ died, Christ rose, Christ comes again and again and again.

(Cathy) Jesus who walks with us on the path to holiness, is the spark of Love in whom we believe; the Wisdom of Sophia in whom we trust; and the desire for justice that consumes us. As we celebrate the memory of Jesus, we remember our prophetic leader. We remember the communion of saints who have inspired and loved us and all who have gone before us leaving their foot prints on our hearts.(Names………..)

(Elena and All): For it is through living as Jesus lived that we awaken to your Spirit, loving through us, to promote justice and equality in our service to our sisters and brothers. AMEN

Prayer of Jesus

(Mary Kay and All): 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 echoes 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. Amen

(A contemplative prayer in the style of Taize from St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Seattle.)

( Andrea) Please Join me in the PRAYER FOR THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

~O God of Courage, You call us to live the Gospel of peace and justice. We will live justly.

~ O God of Compassion, You call us to be your presence in the world. We will love tenderly.

~ O God of Truth, You call us to speak truth to power. We will walk with integrity in your presence.

(Elena and All): What we have heard with our ears, we will live with our lives. As we share communion, we will become communion, both Love’s nourishment and Love’s challenge.

(Elena) All: When we share in this meal, we who have always been worthy, commit to live your teachings, dear Jesus, and to tell your stories that allow Spirit to rise up within us and empowers us to bring the kin-dom of God to this world. This is the good news of salvation.

Presider: Let us share and spread this good news! All: Amen.

(As we share this sacred meal, we say to one another with the passing of the bread,

“You are(I am) the love of God in the world.”

When we share the wine we say, “You are(I am) the peace of God in the world.”

COMMUNION: Nada Te Turbe (Brotherhood of Hope – Santa Teresa de Avila)

https://youtu.be/EXSn8WESSJM

Prayer of Thanksgiving after Communion

Pause

(Beth) : Bountiful God, we are filled with wonder and gratitude as we strive to realize our calling to tell the message of the gospel with our lives. Let the promises of Christ give us the freedom to leave behind all that hinders the coming of your realm on earth. Give us the courage and peace of heart that comes from confidence in your care. Dispel the darkness of our lives with healing truth; with gratitude and in humility make us ready for the new wine of the future. We ask this of You, God of time and eternity. Amen

PRAYERS OF GRATITUDE, INTRODUCTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS

Closing Community Blessing

(Everyone please extend your hands in mutual blessing.)

(Beth and All): May our hearts be glad on our journeys as we dream new dreams and see new visions.

May we live and work for mercy, peace and justice, in our hearts for ourselves and our brothers and sisters…whoever they are and wherever they are.

May we learn to bless, honor and hold in reverence one another and thus grow in gratitude and humility.

May we continually strive to be the faith of a mustard seed, so we can move mountains that are barriers to justice and equality.

And may we be the face of God to the world, reflecting a compassionate and caring presence in us to everyone we meet.

And finally, as we go forth from this sacred space, let us purposefully look with new eyes and hearts to recognize our call, to Spiritual growth and evolving consciousness. Thanks be to God. Let it be so!

Commissioning

(Elena) Full of Christ’s peace, let us go out in haste to share the Good news of the Divine Presence dwelling within. Remember, that as the face of Christ to the world we are absolute existence and a field of infinite possibilities. Let our service continue with grateful and humble hearts.

All: Amen and Alleluia !!!

Closing Hymn: Song of the Soul by Chris Williamson