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Welcome and Gathering
Presider: (BMM) Welcome to our Zoom liturgy at Mary Mother of Jesus, an inclusive Catholic Community where all are welcome. Today our theme is Wisdom: An Understanding Heart. Like Solomon, we pray for wisdom in our daily lives. Following Jesus, we live into a greater understanding of what it means to be alive within a kin-dom that cherishes all of creation.
Opening Song: Come, Be in Our Hearts by Sara Thomsen and video by Denise Hackert-Stoner
https://youtu.be/gwxldz6oH2w
Communal Transformation Rite
Presider : (BMM) Aware of Holy Wisdom within us and all around us, we open ourselves to our deepest desires , the deepest desires of our hearts.
(place your hand over your heart in silent prayer)
Opening Prayer:
Presider: (MT) We rejoice in You, Lover of All, Beloved, and the Breath of Love for You are with us, within us and beyond us. Nourish us with your beauty, inspire us with your hope, enlighten us with your wisdom, empower us with your love. We trust in Your divine presence to guide us to make wise choices and grow in wholeness and holiness. Lead us by your truth to become all that you created us to be. Amen.
All: Amen
GLORIA: Linda Lee Miller
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbarqE9o8QY
Liturgy of the Word
Reading 1:Mary Montavon
Our First Reading is from 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12
The Most Holy One appeared to Solomon in a dream and said,
"Ask something of me and I will give it to you."
Solomon answered: “Most Holy One, you have made me, your servant,
king to succeed my father David;
but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act.
I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen,
a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted.
Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart
to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.
For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?"
God was pleased that Solomon made this request and said to him:
"Because you have asked for this—
not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies,
but for understanding so that you may know what is right—
I do as you requested.
I give you a heart so wise and understanding
that there has never been anyone like you up to now,
and after you there will come no one to equal you."
These are the sacred words of the author of the Book of Kings and we affirm them by saying,
All: AMEN.
Response to Reading: More Light by Christopher Grundy
https://youtu.be/a8XaUlqb8t0
Reading 2: Jack McKillip
Second Reading: Praying for Wisdom by Richard Rohr
Adapted from Richard Rohr, Simplicity: The Freedom of Letting Go (Crossroad Publishing: 1991, 2003), 68, 70, 75.
On the last day of the year, I generally withdraw to pray. A few years ago, I asked myself: What should I pray for this year? What do we need in these turbulent times? Naturally I was strongly tempted to pray for more love. But it occurred to me that I’ve met so many people in the world who are already full of love and who really care for others. Maybe what we lack isn’t love but wisdom. It became clear to me that I should pray above all else for wisdom.
We all want to love, but as a rule we don’t know how to love rightly. How should we love so that life will really come from it? I believe that what we all need is wisdom. I’m very disappointed that we in the Church have passed on so little wisdom. Often the only thing we’ve taught people is to think that they’re right—or that they’re wrong. We’ve either mandated things or forbidden them. But we haven’t helped people to enter upon the narrow and dangerous path of true wisdom. On wisdom’s path we take the risk of making mistakes. On this path we take the risk of being wrong. That’s how wisdom is gained.
Jesus came to teach us the way of wisdom. He brought us a message that offers to liberate us from both the lies of the world and the lies lodged in ourselves. The words of the Gospel create an alternative consciousness, solid ground on which we can really stand, free from every social order and from every ideology. Jesus called this new foundation the Reign of God, the kingdom.
These are the inspired words of Richard Rohr, mystic and prophet, and we affirm them by saying, Amen.
https://youtu.be/IC4nbwmQDVw
Reader: BMM
Gospel: The Gospel according to Matthew13: 30, 44-46
Jesus said:
“The kindom of heaven is like the yeast a baker took and mixed in with three measures of flour until it was leavened all through.” Or again,
"The kindom of heaven is like a buried treasure found in a field. The ones who discovered it, hid it again, and, rejoicing at the discovery, went and sold all their possessions and bought that field.
Or again, the kindom of heaven is like a merchant’s search for fine pearls. When one pearl of great price, was found, the merchant went back and sold everything else and bought it.”
These are the sacred words in the Gospel of Matthew and we affirm them by saying:
All: Amen
Homily Starter: Mary Theresa
There is so much to unpack in today’s readings. The first reading is about the young King Solomon. Solomon, son of King David, was chosen by his father to be the next King. At that time, Solomon was faced with a great challenge: to bring together the tribes of the Jewish people from the north and the south under one united kingdom. I can imagine that task occupied many waking moments and many dreams or nightmares. So, it is significant that Solomon chooses wisdom, an understanding heart, to govern his people. It is both a practical and humble choice and one that reflects Solomon’s understanding of the Holy One who values social equality and justice in human relationships. This story is about a community’s call to walk in faithfulness, and righteousness with an understanding mind and a listening heart.
In the second reading Richard Rohr responds to our turbulent times by praying for wisdom, the wisdom Jesus taught us that provides a solid ground on which we can really stand, free from every social order and from every ideology. Jesus called this place the Reign of God, the kingdom. We refer to this today as the kin-dom, the loving connection that makes us all one.
In today’s gospel there are three short parables about the kingdom.
The kingdom is like leaven in flour. A small amount of leaven brings enormous change, transformation. When we are wise like the young Solomon and seek the Kingdom with an understanding heart, we are changed and we make a difference in our relationships with each other. We are empowered to seek what is best for all of creation. It is a place where we can offer our bit of salt, leaven and light.
The Kingdom is like treasure buried in a field or a pearl of great price. When we seek the kingdom, we seek the wisdom and the faith to see the true value of the Reign of the Holy One hidden in the everyday fields of life. This is what Jesus urges for His disciples. He is teaching them that the rewards of the kingdom are worth giving up everything to follow Him.
Community Sharing: What did you hear in our readings today?
Communal Statement of Faith
Prayer Leader 1: Beth Ponce
Please join in our Communal Statement of Faith
We believe in the Holy One, 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 the Divine Word,
bringer of healing, heart of Divine compassion,
bright star in the firmament of the Holy One's
prophets, mystics, and saints.
We believe that We are called to follow Jesus
as a vehicle of divine love,
a source of wisdom and truth,
and an instrument of peace in the world.
We believe in the Spirit of the Holy One,
the life that is our innermost life,
the breath moving in our being,
the depth living in each of us.
We believe that the Divine 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 for the Community
Prayer Leader 2: Jim Brandi
As we prepare for the sacred meal, we bring to this table our blessings, cares, and concerns. Please voice your intentions beginning with the words, “I bring to the table…”)
Prayers for the community are offered.
We pray for these and all unspoken intentions. Amen.
Preparation of the Gifts:
Presider 1: BMM Blessed are You, Holy One, through Your divine providence we have this bread, to share, the Bread of Life.
All: Blessed are You, Holy One, forever.
Presider 2: MT Blessed are You, O Loving One through Your divine providence we have this wine to share, our spiritual drink.
All: Blessed are, You, Holy One, forever.
Presider: Spirit Sophia, we are united in this sacrament by the love of Christ, whose presence we are as we proclaim your liberating presence within us, all around us, and beyond us making us whole.
Eucharistic Prayer
(Adapted from Pentecost Prayer by Joyce Rupp, in Prayer Seeds)
Prayer Leader 1: Beth Ponce
Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up with joy.
Prayer Leader 2: Jim Brandi
Give thanks for the gifts of Spirit Love
All: Alleluia!
Holy Wisdom, you lovingly abide in our depths and graciously guide our every step. You lead us to ever stronger growth and draw us more fully toward inner freedom. This day we renew our purpose of being faithful to our relationship with you and we sing your praise:
All: Holy, Holy, Holy (adapted from Holy, Holy, Holy by Karen Drucker)
https://youtu.be/orKBBIj5LZA
Prayer Leader 1: Beth Ponce
Source of Vision and Wisdom, 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.
Prayer Leader 2: Jim Brandi
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 being with constant compassion
and a deep hope that knows no bounds.
Prayer Leader 1: Beth Ponce
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.
Grant that we may keep our whole selves open
to the transforming power of your indwelling,
that we may ever know the blessings
of your tremendous companionship.
Please extend Your hands in blessing and pray together.
Presider 1 and All: BMM
As we bless this bread and wine, we are ever aware of Your Spirit in us and among us at this Eucharistic table. We remember our brother Jesus whose life and teachings reflected the depth of divine love beyond our hopes and dreams.
(pause)
On the night before he died, Jesus came to table with his family and the women and men he loved. Jesus took bread blessed and broke it, saying, “Take, eat, this is my body. Do this in memory of me.”
(pause)
Presider 2 and All: MT
After supper, Jesus poured a cup of wine and shared it with his friends, saying,
“This is the cup of the covenant of my love. As often as You drink of it, remember me.”
Presider 2 and All: MT
Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died in all those who have passed away from violent hate crimes.
Christ is rising in all those working for the well-being of humanity, dismantling institutional sexism, racism and all that divides us.
Christ comes each day in our ministry, prayers and actions for a renewed world with justice and equity for all.
Prayer Leader 2: Jim Brandi
Spirit! Embracing Presence, we remember all the companions who have gone before us: Mary, Mother of Jesus, Mary of Magdala, and all holy women and men who are rising up in loving service to heal our world. We pause now to remember our family and loved one in the communion of saints.
(pause)
(Presiders and all hold bread and wine)
Presider 1 and All: BMM
For it is through living as Jesus lived, and loving as he loved, that we awaken to Your Spirit empowering us to work for the flourishing of life on for all people and for planet Earth.
All: Great Amen (Sung) Linda Lee Miller
https://youtu.be/Dy76fpfkNsg
The Prayer of Jesus MT
Presider 2: Let us pray the prayer Jesus:
O Holy One, who is within, around and among us,
We celebrate your many names.
Your Wisdom come.
Your will be done, unfolding from the depths within us,
Each day you give us all we need;
You remind us of our limits, and we let go.
You support us in our power, and we act with courage.
For you are the dwelling place within us,
the empowerment around us
and the celebration among us, now and forever. Amen
(Miriam Therese Winter)
Presider 2: Sign of Peace: Please bow to each other and pray: Namaste, namaste, namaste
Communion
Presider 1 and All:BMM
Please join in praying the Litany for the Breaking of the Bread All:
All: 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.
Presider 2: MT
This is the bread of life and the cup of blessing. Blessed are we who are called to the Feast.
Presider 2 and All: MT
We are the Body and Blood of Christ for the world. Please receive/share Eucharist now.
Communion Meditation Song: Compassion (Change the World) by Andrew Witt
https://youtu.be/Tw_pUMqEZ_E
Presider 1: BMM
Prayer After Communion:
We go forth, nourished at this banquet table, to be love in the world. May, we experience Holy Wisdom enabling us to live as courageous, compassionate witnesses to the Gospel every day.
Thanksgivings, Introductions, Announcements
Concluding Rite
Presider 2 and All: MT
Please extend Your hands and pray our final blessing.
Holy One, you fill all things with a fullness and hope that we can never comprehend. May we have the courage to awaken to greater truth, greater humility, and greater care for one another. May we place our hopes and dreams in what matters and what lasts, trusting in your eternal presence and love. And, may we be a blessing in our time. Amen. (adapted from Richard Rohr)
Closing Song: Behold the Kingdom – John Michael Talbot – video by Denise Hackert-Stoner
https://youtu.be/TWd0OE5jaoA
Mary Mother of Jesus Website:
If you would like to add your intention to our MMOJ Community Prayers book,
Please send an email to Joan Meehan: joanmeehan551@aol.com