Bridget Mary's Blog: 5/21/23

Welcome. Jan. We warmly welcome you to the inclusive Catholic Community of Mary Mother of Jesus in Sarasota. All are welcome here.

Whoever you are,

Wherever you are,

Just as you are,

We welcome you to this table.

(Integral Christianity by Paul Smith)

Theme. Michael.

Sign of Peace. Den. We offer each other a sign of peace.

All: 🙏 🙏🏿 Namaste. The peace of Christ be with you! Namaste.

Gathering 🎶 Prayer of St Francis

https://youtu.be/hC77O0fMuL0 (2:55)

Make me a channel of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me bring your love.

Where there is injury your pardon, God,

And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.

Make me a channel of your peace.

Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope.

Where there is darkness only light,

And where there’s sadness, ever joy.

Oh God, grant that I may never seek

So much to be consoled, as to console,

To be understood as to understand,

To be loved, as to love with all my soul.

Make me a channel of your peace.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

In giving of ourselves that we receive,

And in dying that were born to eternal life….

Make me a channel of your peace.

Opening Prayer. Andrea.

Spirit! Dwelling Place, Sanctuary of Silence,
you are the home for which we deeply yearn.
You are the resting place for which we long.
We find both comfort and challenge in you.
May we keep our whole selves open
to the transforming power of your indwelling,
that we may ever know the blessings
of your tremendous companionship. All: Amen.

Liturgy of the Word (Please pause for a moment of silence.)

Jim B. A reading from the Good News by John.

Later on that day [Easter Sunday], the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you." Then he showed them his hands and side.

The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were exuberant. Jesus repeated his greeting: "Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you."

Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. "Receive the Holy Spirit," he said. "If you forgive someone's sins, they're gone for good. If you don't forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?”

Excerpt From The Message by Eugene H Peterson

Den: Spirit! Power and Passion of our being,
press upon our hearts your profound love.
Move through the fragments of our days;
enable us to sense your fiery Presence
consecrating our most insignificant moments.

Spirit! Source of Vision, Perceptive Guide,
permeate the moments of our choices
when falsehood and truth both call to us.
Turn us toward the way of goodness,
so that we will always lean toward your love.

Jim B. A reading from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.

God's various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit.

God's various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit.

God's various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God is behind it all.

Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits.

All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful:

wise counsel

clear understanding

simple trust

healing the sick

miraculous acts

proclamation

distinguishing between spirits

tongues

interpretation of tongues.

All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when.

You can easily enough see how this kind of thing works by looking no further than your own body. Your body has many parts—limbs, organs, cells—but no matter how many parts you can name, you're still one body. It's exactly the same with Christ. By means of his one Spirit, we all said good-bye to our partial and piecemeal lives. We each used to independently call our own shots, but then we entered into a large and integrated life in which he has the final say in everything. (This is what we proclaimed in word and action when we were baptized.) Each of us is now a part of his resurrection body, refreshed and sustained at one fountain—his Spirit—where we all come to drink. The old labels we once used to identify ourselves—labels like Jew or Greek, slave or free—are no longer useful. We need something larger, more comprehensive. Excerpt from The Message by Eugene H Peterson

Jack: Spirit! Blessing for the heart grown weary,
encircle us with your loving energy,
empower us with your active gentleness.
Deepen within us a faith in your dynamism
which strengthens the weak and the tired.

Spirit! Breath of Life, Touch of Mystery,
you are the ribbon of inner connection,
uniting us with the groaning of all creation.
Because of you, our lives gather into a oneness.
Keep us attentive to this interdependence.
Fill our beings with constant compassion
and a deep hope that knows no bounds.

Ann C. A reading from Luke’s Acts of the Apostles.

When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.

There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were thunderstruck. They couldn't for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, Aren't these all Galileans? How come we're hearing them talk in our various mother tongues?

Parthians, Medes, and Elamites;

Visitors from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia,

Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,

Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene;

Immigrants from Rome, both Jews and proselytes;

Even Cretans and Arabs!

They're speaking our languages, describing God's mighty works!

Excerpt from The Message by Eugene H Peterson

Shared homily. “Peter” & MMOJ community

Michael: A continuation of Luke’s Acts of the Apostles. Their heads were spinning; they couldn't make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: "What's going on here?"

Others joked, "They're drunk on cheap wine."

That's when Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency:

Peter: Fellow Jews, all of you who are visiting Jerusalem, listen carefully and get this story straight. These people aren't drunk as some of you suspect. They haven't had time to get drunk—it's only nine o'clock in the morning. This is what the prophet Joel announced would happen:

"In the Last Days," God says,

“Your sons will prophesy,

also your daughters;

Your young men will see visions,

your old men dream dreams.

When the time comes,

I'll pour out my Spirit

On those who serve me, men and women both,

and they'll prophesy.

I'll set wonders in the sky above

and signs on the earth below,

Blood and fire and billowing smoke,

the sun turning black and the moon blood-red,

Before the Day of the Holy One arrives,

the Day tremendous and marvelous;

And whoever calls out for help

to me, God, will be saved.”

Fellow Israelites, listen carefully to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man thoroughly accredited by God to you—the miracles and wonders and signs that God did through him are common knowledge—this Jesus, following the deliberate and well-thought-out plan of God, was betrayed by men who took the law into their own hands, and was handed over to you. And you pinned him to a cross and killed him. But God untied the death ropes and raised him up. Death was no match for him. David said it all:

“I saw God before me for all time.

Nothing can shake me; he's right by my side.

I'm glad from the inside out, ecstatic;

I've pitched my tent in the land of hope.

I know you'll never dump me in Hades;

I'll never even smell the stench of death.

You've got my feet on the life-path,

with your face shining sun-joy all around.”

Dear friends, let me be completely frank with you. Our ancestor David is dead and buried—his tomb is in plain sight today. But being also a prophet and knowing that God had solemnly sworn that a descendant of his would rule his kingdom, seeing far ahead, he talked of the resurrection of the Messiah—'no trip to Hades, no stench of death.' This Jesus, God raised up. And every one of us here is a witness to it. Then, raised to the heights at the right hand of God and receiving the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, he poured out the Spirit he had just received. That is what you see and hear. For David himself did not ascend to heaven, but he did say,

God said to my Master, "Sit at my right hand

Until I make your enemies a stool for resting your feet."

All Israel, then, know this: There's no longer room for doubt—God made him Master and Messiah, this Jesus whom you killed on a cross.

Ann: Cut to the quick, those who were there listening asked Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers! Brothers! So now what do we do?”

Peter: Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites.

Ann: He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over,

Peter: Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!

Ann: That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.

Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met.

They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.

Excerpt from The Message by Eugene H Peterson

Michael: Please unmute to share about the Pentecost readings or Peter’s Pentecost homily starter.

Profession of Faith. Jan & All

We believe in God, who creates all things,
who embraces all things, who celebrates all things,
who is present in every part of the fabric of creation.
We believe in God as the source of all life,
who baptizes this planet with living water.
We believe in Jesus Christ, the suffering one, the poor one, the malnourished one, the climate refugee, who loves and cares for this world and who suffers with it.
And we believe in Jesus Christ, the seed of life,
who came to reconcile and renew this world and everything in it.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the breath of God,
who moves with God and who moves among and with us today.

We believe in everlasting life in God.
And we believe in the hope that one day
God will put an end to death and all destructive forces.

(Gurukul Theological college, India / adapted by Keld B. Hansen 2009)

Prayers for Our World. Andrea (From Joyce Rupp, May I have this dance?)

When we come face to face with the challenge of self-giving, when we are asked to go the extra mile, to take the risk of reaching out to another, to offer forgiveness to the heart that rejects us…

All: Spirit of God, You fill us with the energy of your love.

When our world seems bleak, when we walk with sadness written on our soul, when we have days during which everything goes wrong…

All: Spirit of God, You stir the energy of your joy within us.

When anxiety and concern take over our spirit, when restlessness or boredom holds sway over us, when our world cries out in distress and turmoil…

All: Spirit of God, You deepen in us the energy of your peace.

On those days when we hurry too much, during those times when our anger flares because our pet agendas aren’t met, when we stop giving people our acceptance and understanding…

All: Spirit of God, You create in us the energy of your kindness.

As we face the shadow of our inner world or peer into the darkness of our outer world, as we struggle to believe in our own gifts and blessings…

All: Spirit of God, You, strengthen in us the energy of your goodness.

In those difficult times when fear threatens to drown our trust in you, during those experiences of growth when we are tempted to doubt all the ways we have known you…

All: Spirit of God, You renew in us the energy of trusting you.

When harshness or abruptness dominates our moods, when we feel challenged by the power of another, when we use the things of this good earth…

All: Spirit of God, You bless us with the energy of your gentleness.

As we walk on the edges of life and death, as we struggle with the disciplines of spiritual growth, as we yearn to be faithful amid the many changes of inner and outer growth…

All: Spirit of God, You move us with the energy of your guidance.

Spirit of God, you are the stirrings in our hearts. You urge us to get going. You prompt us to follow. You encourage us not to give up. You call us to open our minds and our hearts to receive your energizing, transforming radiance. May we be receptive so that we will follow your loving movement within our lives. We trust in your powerful presence within us.

(pause for prayers for our community)

Spirit of God, you are always within, around and among us.

Amen.

We offer our gifts. Michael. (Have bread and wine/juice on your table)

O Holy One, these are our gifts from creation, bread 🥖of the grain 🌾 and wine 🍷 of the grapes 🍇. We recognize that they are holy in you their creator. And we know that they will make us holy, one with you and one with each other.

Michael. Please join in song to begin our Eucharistic prayer.

Eucharistic Prayer 🎶 We Are Holy

https://youtu.be/orKBBIj5LZA (1:33)

Jim & All. We thank you for the gift of Jesus in history and the gift of Jesus in faith. Through him, you breathe life into us. His life on earth was deeply moved by his vision of your constant presence in everyone he met. He reflected you in everything he said and did in his life well lived. And he showed us by his many examples not only how we should live, but also for what we might even die, as he did, in the service of the gospel message of selfless love.

(Hold your hand over bread and wine)

Andrea & All. Jesus, we celebrate the last meal you had with your followers. We call upon Sacred Spirit, ever and always with us, to bring blessing on this bread and wine as they are made sacred through our faith in the presence of Christ.

During Jesus’s life on earth, he lived and died loving the poor, healing the sick and challenging the injustices within society. Because of his ministry, Jesus was feared by the authorities, and they sought out ways to bring him to his death.

Jan & All. On the night before he faced his own death, Jesus sat at the Seder supper with his companions and friends. He reminded them of what he had taught them, and to fix that memory clearly with them, he bent down and washed their feet. All lift 🥖 and pray:

When he returned to his place at the table, he lifted the bread, spoke the blessing, broke the bread and offered it to them saying:

Take and eat, this is my very self.

Pause, then lift the 🍷 and pray:

Den & All. He took the cup, spoke the grace, and offered it to them saying: Take and drink. This is the new covenant. Whenever you remember me like this, I am among you. (pause)

Jan & 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.

Den & All: Let us share this bread and cup to proclaim and live the gospel of justice, nonviolence and peace, remembering that we are bearers of light and hope.

We are the Christ alive today. Everyone consumes the bread and wine now.

Instrumental 🎶 Kerani, Sunset Lake https://youtu.be/ykEAlMPzEw0

Jan & All. Sacred Spirit, we rejoice that the Universal Christ remains always and ever present within and around us. We remember all those who have transitioned from life on earth to complete union with your Sacred Presence—Mary of Nazareth and all great saints, prophets and martyrs. We also remember family members, friends, and MMOJ members. We remember all those whose lives have been lost to covid, to war, to racism and other forms of exclusion and violence in our world. And we remember those you wish to be remembered (we pause to remember our loved ones) All are beloved souls who have blessed our lives and who continue to inspire us. And we respond together: All: So be it!

Ann. We pray our common prayer that Jesus taught us:

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 will be done by all created beings!
May your beloved community of peace and freedom

sustain our hope and come on earth.

With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials 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.

(Adapted from The New Zealand Book of Prayer | He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa.

This version of the Lord’s prayer was influenced by Maori theologians)

Final prayer. Jack. Spirit of God, you are present in, around, and among us. May we joyfully share your presence now and throughout the Pentecost season. All: Amen, Alleluia!

Michael. Please share the gratitude you hold in your hearts.

Announcements

Community blessing 🎶 https://youtu.be/2mWaoGn_jTY

Jan. We go forth alive with the Spirit!

All: Amen, Alleluia!

Concluding 🎶 The saints go marching in! (Highlighting Jack Meehan)

https://youtu.be/xvIHW-UbtgA

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To add an intercession to our MMOJ Community Prayer book, please send an email to Joan Meehan jmeehan515@aol.com

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Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community

5342 Clark Road #3079, Sarasota, FL 34233