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4:00 PM EDT
https://mmojliturgies.blogspot.com/
Welcome and Theme(Jim M)
Whoever you are, wherever you are, just as you are, please know that you are most welcome here at Mary Mother of Jesus, an inclusive virtual catholic community of equals.
Today, in our Gospel we hear a story of transfiguration. In the next few days, we may recall the disfiguration of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 78 years ago by using atomic bombs. “If today, you hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts!” So, let us begin our prayer in song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7ykbXZUCOw
Glory to the Creator and the Christ,
and the Spirit so near.
As it was from the start,
so it shall be forever:
one God, always here.
Opening Prayer(Elena G)
O Holy One, our remembrance of Hiroshima and Nagasaki remind us of our capacity to disfigure and destroy all of creation. Forgive us, and help us to remember that this must never happen again. Inspire us to imagine that another world is possible—a world transfigured by our trust, joy and peaceful actions toward all and our planet earth. We make our prayer in the name of the One who came so that we might have life, and have it abundantly. AMEN!
Liturgy of Word
First Reading:Isaiah 2:2-5(Joan Meehan)
In days to come, the mountain of our God’s house will be established as the most important mountain and raised above all other hills. All nations will stream toward it. Many people will come and say: “Come, let us climb God’s mountain, that God may instruct us in God’s ways, and we may walk in God’s paths.” Instruction will be given from Zion and the word of God from Jerusalem. God will judge between the nations, and render decisions for many countries. They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation will not raise the sword against another, and never again shall they train for war. Come, let us walk in the light of our God.
These are the inspired words of the prophet Isaiah, and we respond by saying AMEN!
Sung Response:More Light - Christopher Grundy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBx5MSmCDk0
Gospel Reading: Matthew 17:1-9(Joan Pesce)
Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on a high mountain to be alone with them. And before their eyes, Jesus was transfigured—his face becoming as dazzling as the sun and his clothes as radiant as light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said, "Rabbi, how good it is that we are here! With your permission, I will erect three shelters here—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah!" Peter was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them. Out of the cloud came a voice which said, "This is my Own, my Beloved, on whom my favor rests. Listen to him!" When they heard this, the disciples fell forward on the ground, overcome with fear. Jesus came toward them and touched them saying, "Get up! Don’t be afraid!" When they looked up, they did not see anyone but Jesus. As they were coming down the mountainside, Jesus commanded them, "Don’t tell anyone about this vision until the Chosen One has risen from the dead."
These are the inspired words of a disciple named Matthew, and we respond by saying AMEN!
Sung Response:More Light - Christopher Grundy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBx5MSmCDk0
Third Reading:Excerpt from “Pacem in Terris” (Peace on Earth) (Joan Meehan)
Nuclear weapons must be banned… Everyone must sincerely cooperate… But this requires that the fundamental principles upon which peace is based in today’s world be replaced by an altogether different one, namely, the realization that true and lasting peace among nations cannot consist in the possession of an equal supply of armaments but only in mutual trust.
These are the inspired words spoken by John XXIII, Bishop of Rome, on April 11, 1963 and we respond by saying AMEN!
Sung Response:More Light - Christopher Grundy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBx5MSmCDk0
Fourth Reading:Excerpt from the Apostolic Address at the Peace Memorial in Hiroshima, Japan(Joan Pesce)
With deep conviction I wish once more to declare that the use of atomic energy for purposes of war is today, more than ever, a crime not only against the dignity of human beings but against any possible future for our common home. The use of atomic energy for purposes of war is immoral, just as the possessing of nuclear weapons is immoral, as I already said two years ago. We will be judged on this. Future generations will rise to condemn our failure if we spoke of peace but did not act to bring it about among the peoples of the earth. How can we speak of peace even as we build terrifying new weapons of war?
These are the inspired words spoken by Francis, Bishop of Rome, on November 24, 2019 and we respond by saying AMEN!
Homily and Shared Reflections(Jim M)
Statement of Faith(Dotty S)
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.
COMMUNITY PRAYERS(Elena G)
As we prepare to share a sacred meal, we voice our personal cares and concerns and the needs of our world.
We pray for the courage and creativity to challenge the madness of stockpiling nuclear weapons.
We pray for all those suffering destruction and devastation caused by war, especially in the Ukraine and other parts of our world.
We pray for the courage to live nonviolently as Jesus taught.
For what else shall we pray (please unmute and remember to re-mute)
We pray for all the requests listed in our MMOJ Book of Prayer, as well as all the unspoken intentions of our hearts. AMEN!
Liturgy of Eucharist
(Dotty S) With open hearts and hands let us pray our Eucharistic prayer:
Guiding Spirit, you have been called by many names by many people in the centuries of our planet’s life. Yet, no name truly defines you or describes you. We celebrate you as the marvelous, loving energy of life who caused us and our world to be. We celebrate you as the Source of light and life and love, and we celebrate your presence and all-ways care.
May we recognize that, in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms, we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny. United with our vast universe, with our Mother-Planet and her people everywhere, with one another and You, Holy One, we sing this song of praise:
Holy Holy Holy:Here in this Place – by Christopher Grundy
https://youtu.be/sgkWXOSGmOQ
Holy One, may your presence here open our minds
May your Spirit among us help us to find
You are rising up now like a fountain of grace
from the holy ground here in this place, here in this place.
(Mary Al G)We give grateful thanks for those who came before us, for all those who gave from their hearts, who gave from their lives, that there might be a better world, a safer world, a kinder world, we pray for peace in their name.
And for all peoples of this earth who have no voice, especially the marginalized, children, animals and plants; we pray for peace in their name.
[Please extend your hands in blessing]
We are ever aware of your Spirit in us and among us at this Eucharistic table and we are grateful for our brother, Jesus, and this bread and wine which reminds us to be the Christ presence in our world.
(Elena)On the night before he faced his own death, Jesus sat at supper with his companions and friends. He reminded them of all that he taught them, and to fix that memory clearly with them, he bent down and washed their feet.
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)
[All lift cup and pray]
(Jim)Then he took the cup of the covenant, spoke the grace, and offered it to them saying:
Take and drink.
Whenever you remember me like this, I am among you. (pause)
By sharing this bread and cup, we choose to be people of light who proclaim the Good News by living justly, loving tenderly, and walkingwith integrity. As you eat and drink, be mindful that we are “God’s Beloved!”
Communion Song: I Will Sing of your Love, Love, Love -Chris Grundy(c)2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUyjdGNIYH4
I will sing of your love, love, love
of your steadfast love
for as long as I live
and I will sing of your love, love, love
for as long as I live.
I will sing of a love so wide
that it welcomes the neighbor
and will not divide
and I will sing of your love, love, love
for as long as I live
I will sing, "Let the children come
do not hinder them,"
for you love every one
and I will sing of your love, love, love
for as long as I live.
I will sing of the trees so tall
of the oceans so deep
and your love for them all
and I will sing of your love, love, love
for as long as I live
Your love is stronger than the mountains
soaks through me like the pouring rain
it's no wonder that I'm answering your call.
Whenever someone needs a neighbor
and wherever there's a child in pain
we'll be working on a just world for all.
I will sing of your love, love, love
of your steadfast love
for as long as I live
and I will sing of your love, love, love
for as long as I live
for as long as I live.
Prayer After Communion(Dotty S)
God of Abundance, fill us with your Spirit that we might open wide our small circles and expand our tent, thus renewing and transfiguring our world. Together, let us pray as Jesus taught:
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)
Introductions – Thanksgivings – Announcements
Blessing(Jim and all)
Sisters and brothers,
May our living and loving add more joy, more hope, more kindness and generosity to the life of others and our world. Until we meet again, go forth from this place in peace with grateful hearts for the blessings that surround us each day. AMEN!
Closing Song: Go Make a Difference -Steve Angrisano and Tom Tomaszek © 1997
https://youtu.be/Q2vYFN1YNIk
Refrain
Go make a diff’rence.
We can make a diff’rence.
Go make a diff’rence in the world.
Go make a diff’rence.
We can make a diff’rence.
Go make a diff’rence in the world.
We are the salt of the earth,
called to let the people see
the love of God for you and me.
We are the light of the world,
not to be hidden but be seen.
Go make a diff’rence in the world. Ref
We are the hands of Christ
reaching out to those in need,
the face of God for all to see.
We are the spirit of hope;
we are the voice of peace.
Go make a diff’rence in the world. Ref
So let your love shine on,
let it shine for all to see.
Go make a diff’rence in the world.
And the spirit of Christ
will be with us as we go.
Go make a diff’rence in the world. Ref
_______________________________________________
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