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https://zoom.us/j/93473708926?pwd=VHFKZGJ5N3ljbzZtVU1qQVRZY1lodz09
Meeting ID: 934 7370 8926
Theme: Be The Light You Want To See in the World!
Welcome and Gathering
MaryAl: Welcome to our Zoom liturgy at Mary Mother of Jesus, an inclusive Catholic Community where all are welcome. Our theme today is “Be The Light”. Please have bread/crackers andwine/juice for our celebration of the Eucharist and a candle for our closing song.
Mary Al:
Whoever you are,
Wherever you are,
Just as you are,
You are welcome at this table. (Integral Christianity by Paul Smith)
Joan M: Let us now take a few moments 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 be a light in this world engulfed indarkness. Let us beam our light out to help 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: We Are Called |
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Opening Prayer
Kathryn: In the name of our Beloved, we gather to celebrate life in the fullest and our oneness with and in you and in all things. Oh, Holy One, we place our faith and trust in you and all aspects of Divinity. May we be the people you have called us to be: prophets, disciples, apostles, and co-creators of a world that is yet unfolding. May we be the seeds that grow into a world ofunconditional love, compassion, and embracement of all people, especially those living on the margins. May we be the change agents that speak truth to power. Let our ears hear, our eyes see, and our hearts receive as we work to speak truth to power and bring light to our dark world. Amen.
Rite of Transformation
Suzanne: Please pray the Hawaiian Ho’oponopono Prayer of Forgiveness:
I am sorry.
Please forgive me.
I love you.
Thank you.
Suzanne and ALL: As we ask for and receive forgiveness, we open our hearts to Infinite Love embracing and healing us. Let it be so! Alleluia!
Gloria: Glory to God by Marty Haugen - video by Bridget Mary Meehan and Mary Theresa Streck
https://youtu.be/udjH7EON5IY
Liturgy of the Word
MaryAl: First Reading: Isaiah 8
First the Lord degraded the land of Zebulun
and the land of Naphtali;
but in the end he has glorified the seaward road,
the land west of the Jordan,
the District of the Gentiles.
Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness:
for there is no gloom where but now there was distress.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing,
as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,
as people make merry when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them,
the pole on their shoulder,
and the rod of their taskmaster
you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.Firstthe Lord degraded the land of Zebulun
and the land of Naphtali;
but in the end he has glorified the seaward road,
the land west of the Jordan,
the District of the Gentiles.
Alleluia: Alleluia by Christopher Walker
https://youtu.be/o1rc7ojQtJU
Joan M: Gospel - Matthew 4:12-23 or 4:12-17
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested,
he withdrew to Galilee.
He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea,
in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet
might be fulfilled:
Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles,
the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death
light has arisen.
From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,
casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.
He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father
and followed him.
He went around all of Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness among the people.
These words are attributed to the gospel writer Mathew and we affirm them be saying, Amen
Alleluia: Alleluia by Christopher Walker https://youtu.be/o1rc7ojQtJU
Homily Starter/Community Sharing
Kathryn and Community
Communal Statement of Faith
MaryAl and ALL:
We believe in one God, 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 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
Joan M:
We now bring our prayer intentions to the Table, stating, “I bring to the table..”
Our response is: All: We are called to be light in our world.
We pray for all the emotional and physical paintaking place in our country and our world as a result of human’s inhumanity.
Our response is: All: We are called to be light in our world.
We pray for the people in all war-torn countries, most especially the children, 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.
Our response is: All: We are called to be light in our world.
We pray that our government finds its right mind.
All: We are called to be light in our world.
We pray for our MMOJ intentions on our community prayer list. (Joan shares)
Our response is: All: We are called to be light in our world.
For what else should we pray?
Our response is: All: We are called to be light in our world.
Joan: Holy Mystery may we respond to the needs of our sisters and brothers in loving prayer and solidarity. Amen
Presentation of the Bread and Wine
Susie: Gracious God, you have set the banquet table and have invited all of us to a feast of unending delight. Blessed are You, Holy One, through Your divine providence we have this bread, to share, the Bread of Life.
Susie and All: Blessed are You, Holy One, forever.
Suzanne: Blessed are You, O Loving One through Your divine providence we have this wine to share, our spiritual drink.
Suzanne and All: Blessed are, You, Holy One, forever.
Joan: Let us lift up our hearts.
Joan and All: We lift them up to the Holy One, living in us and loving through us.
Eucharistic Prayer
Kathryn:
Gracious Wisdom, you embrace us with your extravagant affection in our times of both blessedness and weakness. You are always with us…you living in us and we living in you. In this festive meal, your Spirit is poured out on each of us gathered in the circle of your friends and disciples, 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
Mary Al: 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.
Suzanne 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.
Kathryn and 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]
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.
MaryAl: 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 usnow in this cup. Let us proclaim this mystery of faith.
Susie and All:
Jesus has died. Christ is risen. The Divine Presence lives in us and through us in the world today.
Susie: 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..)
Joan M: 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
COMMUNION RITE
The Prayer of Jesus
Joan M and ALL: Let us pray as Jesus taught us.
Holy One beyond all names
Eternal Wellspring
May love rise again in us today
With food for every table
Shelter for every family
And reverence for every life.
Forgive us our failings in love
And free us from all falseness
That the light of our souls may shine
And the strength of our spirits endure
For Earth and all its people
This day, tonight and forever.
Amen.
(Celtic Version of Prayer of Jesus by John Philip Newell)
Sign of Peace
Kathryn:
Eternal wellspring of peace-
May we be drenched with the longing for peace
That we may give ourselves over
As the earth to the rain, to the dew,
Until peace overflows our lives
As living waters overflow the seas. (Marcia Falk)
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 as we say,
Kathryn: “Namaste, Namaste, Namaste.”
Mary AL:
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.
Kathryn: This is the bread of life and the cup of blessing. Blessed are we who are called to Christ’s table.
Joan and All: May we live as the Body of Christ in the world, serving all in need, especially those living on the margin.
Joan: Please receive/share Eucharist now, saying: “You are the bread of life.” And “You are the cup of compassion.”
Communion Song: Be A Light
https://youtu.be/tSIN3aD8NkA?
Introductions/Thanksgiving/Announcements
Closing Community Prayer of Reflection
MaryAl:
Loving God,
You are the light that meets us on our own roads—
the roads where we are tired, confused,
or certain we already know the way.
In these dark and uncertain times,
when fear feels louder than hope
and division feels stronger than love,
turn us again toward Your light.
Open our eyes where we have grown blind—
blind to the pain of others,
blind to our own complicity,
blind to the ways You are calling us to change.
Give us the courage of Paul,
not to defend ourselves,
but to be transformed.
Not to cling to certainty,
but to surrender to truth.
Make us bearers of Your light in a wounded world:
light that listens before it speaks,
light that heals rather than harms,
light that refuses despair
and chooses love again and again.
Send us from this place as quiet flames—
steady, faithful, and brave—
trusting that even small lights
can break through great darkness.
We ask this in hope,
and in love,
and in the name of Jesus,
the Light of the World.
Amen. 💛
Community Blessing and Commissioning
Kathryn: And together with our arms extended we say:
Spirit, be with us each and every moment of every day as we navigate these difficult times. Let our hearts be open to hear your message and give us the courage to act as your disciples, apostles, to act upon
your messages, even when we are afraid. Keep us ever mindful of the powerful possibilities of love as we walk through all the seasons of our lives, and may our light always shine unto the world. Amen.
ALL: Thanks be to God. Let it be so! And so it is! Alleluia!
Closing Song: Go Light Your World
Go Light Your World - YouTube Music
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.
