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Meeting ID: 934 7370 8926
Passcode: 552967
THEME: Knowing the teachings of Jesus in the depths of our hearts.
(Mary M) Welcome to our Zoom liturgy at Mary Mother of Jesus, an inclusive Catholic Community where all are welcome.
-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. All are welcome to share during Shared Reflections following the homily. Please remember to unmute to speak and remute when you are finished sharing.
-Please have bread and wine/juice nearby as we pray our Eucharistic prayer.
GATHERING SONG:
(Mary M) Let us begin with our gathering song-
“Women of the Church” by Carey Landry, Recorded for MMOJ Liturgy by Linda Lee Miller
Verses 1-2:
https://youtu.be/aY7ghskzwCU
Refrain
Women of the Church, how rich is your legacy!
Women of the Church, how great is your faith!
Women of the Church, wellsprings of integrity,
Lead us in the ways of Peace!
1. Women at the foot of the Cross,
Fearless and truly faithful friends,
First ones to see the Risen One of Life
And the first to tell good news.
2. Companions and disciples of Jesus,
chosen and called by name,
witnesses of wisdom, weavers of the Word,
lead us in the ways of Truth.
© 2005, 2010, 2011, Carey Landry. Published by OCP. All rights reserved.
OPENING PRAYER
(Mary M) Holy One may we grow in deep understanding of Jesus’ teachings, and, follow his example of compassionate service to our sisters and brothers. May we spend time in the Beloved’s embrace each day. May we open our hearts to the Risen One’s call to use our unique gifts to lift others up, to bring comfort to those who are hurting, and to be love in our world every day. All: Amen
COMMUNAL RECONCILIATION RITE (Elena) We pause now to remember the times we have let false messages about our unworthiness cloud our vision of the infinite depth of love within us. Now imagine the imperfections, chaos and messes of your life illuminated by a love within you that is healing and transforming you as you evolve and grow in awareness of your divinity and humanity.
(Pause briefly. Then extend arm over your heart )
(Elena and All) I love you, I forgive you, I am sorry, I thank you.
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.
(Elena): 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 love and peace to everyone, everywhere, with no exceptions.
All: Amen. May the peace of our gracious and loving God be always with us.
(Elena) Let us turn to each other and with praying hands offer one another a sign of peace. NAMASTE 3x
GLORY TO GOD
(Suzanne B) My community friends, in gratitude for all the gifts that we have received through our Heavenly Family, let us sing a song to our loving Holy One.
Glory to God - by Marty Haugen and video by Bridget Mary Meehan and Mary Theresa Streck
https://youtu.be/udjH7EON5IY
LITURGY OF THE WORD
(Suzanne B) Our First Reading is from “The Gospel of Mary of Magdala” by Karen L. King
The Gospel of Mary makes it clear that leadership is to be based on spiritual achievement rather than having a male body. Clearly, Mary is more advanced than the male disciples, because she did not fear for her life at the departure of the Savior, and did not waver at the sight of him in her vision. She is able to step into the Savior’s role and teach the others. She, thereby, models true discipleship, the appropriation and preaching of the Savior’s message.
In the gospel of Mary 4:8-10 she quotes Jesus as having said, “ Go then, preach the good news about the Realm. Do not lay down any rule beyond what I determined for you, nor promulgate law like the lawgiver, or else you might be dominated by it.”
The portrayal of the conflict between Mary and Peter is followed by a repetition of the Savior’s injunction not to lay down any laws beyond what he commanded, which clearly suggests that any regulation forbidding women’s teaching was one of those laws set by the disciples which would have the effect of injecting illegitimate domination into the life of the Christian community. Any such regulation must be the product of jealousy, and a deep misunderstanding of the Savior’s teaching.
These are the inspired words of Karen King in the “Gospel of Mary of Magdala”, (pp. 55-56) and we affirm them by saying, All: AMEN.
RESPONSORIAL: PSALM 119
(Jerry B) Our response is: All: Your love, O Holy One, radiates to the world through me.
Breathe on me, O Breath of Inspiration, in the silence of my tranquil heart, infill me with your wisdom.
O that I might radiate the compassion and peace, truth and beauty of the Beloved!
All: Your love, O Holy One, radiates to the world through me.
Direct my steps, O Holy One, that I may humbly walk with you.
The witness of your Life is my model; therefore, my soul yearns for You.
The unfolding of your Way gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
All: Your love, O Holy One, radiates to the world through me.
My mouth pours forth praise continually, for I am ever grateful for your Promises. You come to me and are gracious to me, as You are to all who open their heart’s door. All: Your love, O Holy One, radiates to the world through me.
Guide my steps according to your Wisdom, and show me how to lovingly co-create with You. Let me not be lured by the world’s values, that I may walk the path of wholeness. All: Your love, O Holy One, radiates to the world through me.
(Adaptation by Nan Merrill, Praying the Psalms; An Invitation to Wholeness)
( Suzanne B ) Our Second Reading is a Letter to the Romans (8:22-28)
All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it’s not only around us; it’s within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We’re also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.
Meanwhile the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. God’s Spirit does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. She knows us far better than we know ourselves; knows our pregnant condition and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
These are Inspired words of Paul, apostle to the Gentiles, and we affirm them by saying: All: Amen.
From “The Message” Bible in contemporary language by Eugene Peterson
https://youtu.be/IC4nbwmQDVw
GOSPEL
(Jerry Bires) The Gospel according to John2011-18
Meanwhile, Mary stood weeping beside the tomb. Even as she wept, she stooped to peer inside, and there she saw two angels in dazzling robes. One was seated at the head, and the other at the foot of the place where Jesus’ body had lain.
They asked her, “Why are you weeping?”
She answered them, “Because they have taken away my Rabbi, and I don’t know where they have put the body.”
No sooner had she said this, than she turned around and caught sight of Jesus standing there, but she didn’t know it was Jesus.
He asked her, ”Why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?”
She supposed it was the gardener, so she said, “Please if you’re the one who carried Jesus away, tell me where you’ve laid the body, and I will take it away.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary”
She turned to him and said, “Rabboni!”-which means “Teacher”
Jesus then said, “Don’t hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to Abba God. Rather, go to the sisters and brothers and tell them, “I’m ascending to my Abba and to your Abba, my God and your God!”
Mary of Magdala went to the disciples, “I have seen the Teacher!” she announced. Then she reported what the Savior had said to her.
These are the inspired words in the Gospel of John and we affirm them by saying: All: Amen
HOMILY STARTER
COMMUNITY SHARING What did you hear in our readings today?
COMMUNAL STATEMENT OF FAITH
(Mary M) Please join in our Communal Statement of Faith (Woman’s Creed)
I believe in God who created woman and man, in God’s own image, who created the world and gave to both sexes the care of the earth.
I believe in Jesus, child of God, chosen of God, born of the woman Mary who listened to women and liked them, who stayed in their homes, who discussed the kingdom with them, who was followed and financed by women disciples.
I believe in Jesus who discussed theology with a woman at a well and first confided in her his Messiahship,
who motivated her to go tell her great news to the city.
I believe in Jesus who received anointing from a woman at Simon’s house, who rebuked the men guests who scorned her.
I believe in Jesus who said this woman will be remembered for her what she did minster to Jesus.
I believe in Jesus who healed a woman on the Sabbath and made her straight because she was human.
I believe in Jesus who spoke of God as a woman seeking a lost coin, as a woman who swept seeking the lost.
I believe in Jesus who thought of pregnancy and birth with reverence, not as a punishment- but as a wrenching event, a metaphor for transformation, born again-anguish into joy.
I believe in Jesus who spoke of himself as a mother hen who would gather her chicks under her wings.
I believe in Jesus who appeared first to Mary Magdalene who sent her with the bursting message…Go and tell.
I believe in the wholeness of the Savior in whom there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for we are all one in salvation.
I believe in the Holy Spirit as she moves over the waters of creation and over the earth.
I believe in the Holy Spirit the woman Spirit of God who like a hen created us and gave us birth and covers us with her wings.
(Rachel Wahlberg, from ‘No longer Strangers)
PRAYERS OF AND FOR THE COMMUNITY
( Jerry B ) As we prepare for the sacred meal, we pray for the needs of the people of God in our community and around the world. Please feel free to voice your concerns beginning with the words “I bring to the table….”
Response to each prayer: Amen
Joan Meehan: MMOJ Book of Intentions
Please share your spontaneous prayers beginning with the words, “I bring to the table….” .
(Jerry Bires) We give thanks for all whom we held in the circle of grace and will continue to pray for and serve. All: Amen.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Preparation of the Gifts:
(Elena) 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.
(Mary M ) 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.
( Mary M) Nurturing One, we are united in this sacrament by the love of Christ, whose presence we are as we proclaim the liberating power of your Spirit Sophia, in our humanity and divinity. She calls us to build the unity of Love in a more compassionate and just world. All: Amen.
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
( Elena ) Your Spirit, who raised Jesus from the dead, is rising up in all who work for humanity’s healing and well-being. With thankful hearts, in the company of all holy women and men, your liberating Spirit rises up within us, works through us and we sing:
All: Holy, Holy, Holy (adapted from Holy, Holy, Holy by Karen Drucker)
https://youtu.be/orKBBIj5LZA
(Mary M) O Heart of Love, Your Spirit moved through Mary of Magdala as she taught us that we are unified and undivided in continuous communion with you. Your Spirit moves through the love within us, expanding out in widening circles to embrace all people and creation in our evolving universe.
Please extend Your hands in blessing.
(Elena and All) Pour out Your Spirit Sophia anew upon this bread and wine and upon us as we become more deeply the Christ Presence in our world.
(Elena and All) 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)
(Mary M and All) 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.”
(Mary M) Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
All: 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.
Christ comes each day in our ministry, prayers and actions for a renewed world with justice and equality for all.
(Jerry Bires) 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 strive to know the teachings of Jesus in the depth of their hearts in order to rise up in loving service to heal our world. We pause now to remember our personal communion of saints.
(pause)
(Presiders and all hold bread and wine)
(Mary M and All)
For it is through living as Jesus lived, and loving as he loved, that we awaken to Your Spirit, empowering us to work for justice and equality for all people in our country and for the life of your planet Earth.
(All Sing the Great Amen with Linda Lee Miller)
https://youtu.be/Dy76fpfkNsg
(Suzanne B and All) The Abba Prayer of Jesus
Gracious Spirit,
Who loves us like a mother,
Whose realm is blooming among and withinus now.
We pray that your compassion guide us in every action.
Give us what we need for each day,
and help us to be satisfied with the miracle of that alone.
Forgiver, whose embrace brings us to wholeness without our asking, may we reconcile ourselves to one another in humility.
And may we cancel the crushing debts that imprison our neighbors, so that communities of joy and health may flourish.
May we neither profit from nor ignore evil.
But ever work to thwart it with non-violence, as we co-create the realm of peace in this world, now and each day.
Amen. (Bret Hesla/wsj)
COMMUNION
( Elena) Please join in praying the Litany for the Breaking of the Bread
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.
(Mary M) This is the bread of life and the cup of blessing. Blessed are we who are called to Christ’s table.
(All) We are the Body and Blood of Christ for the world.
Please receive/share Eucharist now.
Communion Meditation Song: Standing on the Shoulders by Earth Mam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elh77GtHWPU&t=102s
THANKSGIVING INTRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please unmute yourself if you have a thanksgiving to share.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
(Mary M and All) We go forth, nourished at this banquet table, to be love in the world. May, we like, our sister, Mary of Magdala, know Jesus in the depths of our hearts and, experience the Risen One’s strength within us, enabling us to live as courageous witnesses to the Gospel every day.
CONCLUDING RITE
(Mary M) The Holy One is within us. As wego forth to continue our ministry for justice and equality, and peace for all life and earth itself, may we be a radiant reflection of the Risen Christ in our world. All: Amen, Alleluia!
(Elena) Please extend Your hands as we pray our final blessing.
(Elena and All)
Mary Magdalene was an apostle to the apostles because she knew Jesus’ teaching in the depths of her heart ,and was able to live it in her life. May we do so, too!
We go forth in the spirit of Mary Magdalene, apostle to the Apostles, to share the good news that love lives within us, and, strengthens us to be love in our world.
Closing Song:
Recessional: Woman Spirit by Karen Drucker – video by MT Streck
https://youtu.be/YT4S7aNHzQA
(N.B.: This Liturgy was originally created by Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP and Mary Theresa Streck,ARCWP and adapted first by Mary Kay and today by Elena Garcia, ARCWP)
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