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Meeting ID: 934 7370 8926
Theme: Seeing As God Sees
Welcome and Gathering
Joan M: Welcome to our Zoom liturgy at Mary Mother of Jesus, an inclusive Catholic Community where all are welcome. Our theme today is “Seeing As God Sees”. Please have bread/crackers and wine/juice for our celebration of the Eucharist.
Joan M:
Whoever you are,
Wherever you are,
Just as you are,
You are welcome at this table. (Integral Christianity by Paul Smith)
(Pause)
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 that is engulfed in darkness. 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 rejoice as we begin our liturgy by expressing this love through song.
Gathering Song: Carried By Hands I Cannot See by Josh Groban
osh Groban - Carried By Hands I Cannot See | prayerful Song of Hope
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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 ones to see as You see; beauty and love in all living things. May we remember to rejoice every day for our many blessings as we work to heal our world. 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!
Liturgy of the Word
Jerry: First Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a
The LORD said to Samuel:
“Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way.
I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem,
for I have chosen my king from among his sons.”
As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice,
Samuel looked at Eliab and thought,
“Surely the LORD’s anointed is here before him.”
But the LORD said to Samuel:
“Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature,
because I have rejected him.
Not as man sees does God see,
because man sees the appearance
but the LORD looks into the heart.”
In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel,
but Samuel said to Jesse,
“The LORD has not chosen any one of these.”
Then Samuel asked Jesse,
“Are these all the sons you have?”
Jesse replied,
“There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said to Jesse,
“Send for him;
we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.”
Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them.
He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold
and making a splendid appearance.
The LORD said,
“There—anoint him, for this is the one!”
Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand,
anointed David in the presence of his brothers;
and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.
Responsorial Song: Spirit of the Living God by Michael Crawford
212 Spirit Of The Living God Michael Crawford
JOAN: GOSPEL READING: JOHN 9:1-41 OR JOHN 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38
Live as Children of Light
As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.
[His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him. We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”]
When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” – which means Sent. So he went and washed, and came back able to see.
His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?” Some said, “It is, “ but others said, “No, he just looks like him.”
He said, “I am.”
[So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?”
He replied, “The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went there and washed and was able to see.”
And they said to him, “Where is he?”
He said, “I don’t know.”
They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees. Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath. So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”
So some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division among them.
So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?”
He said, “He is a prophet.”
[Now the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and gained his sight until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight. They asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How does he now see?”
His parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. We do not know how he sees now, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him, he is of age; he can speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ, he would be expelled from the synagogue. For this reason his parents said, “He is of age; question him.”
So a second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give God the praise! We know that this man is a sinner.”
He replied, “If he is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.”
So they said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”
He answered them, “I told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?”
They ridiculed him and said, “You are that man’s disciple; we are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this one is from.”
The man answered and said to them, “This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him. It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything.”]
They answered and said to him, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out.
When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”
Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, the one speaking with you is he.”
He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.
[Then Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.”
Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?”
Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.’
These are the inspired words of John and we affirm them by saying: ALL: Amen
Homily Starter/Community Sharing
Kathryn and Community
Communal Statement of Faith
Suzanne 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: We rejoice in all that our God has created.
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: We rejoice in all that our God has created.
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: We rejoice in all that our God has created.
We pray that our government finds its right mind.
All: We rejoice in all that our God has created.
We pray for our MMOJ intentions on our community prayer list. (Joan shares)
Our response is: All: We rejoice in all that our God has created.
For what else should we pray?
Our response is: All: We rejoice in all that our God has created.
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
Jerry: 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.
Jerry 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.
Jerry: Let us lift up our harts.
Joan M 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
Joan M: 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.
Joan M: 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.
Suzanne and All:
Jesus has died. Christ is risen. The Divine Presence lives in us and through us in the world today.
Suzanne: 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
Jerry 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.”
Joan M:
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: In The Garden by Brad Paisley
In The Garden (Lyrics Video) By: Brad Paisley
Introductions/Thanksgiving/Announcements
Closing Community Prayer of Reflection
Joan:
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 and help us to see as You see.
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 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: City of God by Dan Schutte
of God | Catholic Hymn with Lyrics | Dan Schutte & Jane Holstein | Sunday 7pm Choir
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.
