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Meeting ID: 934 7370 8926
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https://mmojliturgies.blogspot.com/
Welcome and Theme(Jim M)
Whoever you are, wherever you are, please know that you are most welcome here just as you are. Mary Mother of Jesus is a virtual inclusive catholic community of equals that has no boundaries.
Our readings come from the Lectionary for this 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time. While the first and third readings seem to indict priests and religious leaders, I think there is a message for each and all of us who profess to follow Jesus, the Jewish Teacher. So, let us begin our prayer in song.
Opening Song:Welcome to this Circle - Trish Buxvoort, sung by River’s Voice
https://youtu.be/djUm4M3-5vQ?si=I_SHELAv59gtEKLF
Prayer of Lament and Transformation:(Jim M)
We lament the brokenness of our world and acknowledge that we, as followers of Jesus, have “missed the mark” at times in our response to “neighbor.”
For the weakness of our faith, we pray …. HAVE MERCY.
For our lack of hope, we pray ………………. HAVE MERCY.
For our failures in love, we pray …………… HAVE MERCY.
The Holy One is merciful, forgiving and loves us as a mother. May we transform our world by being healers and reconcilers. In thanksgiving, we sing a song of praise.
Glory to God - Marty Haugen (video by Bridget Mary Meehan and Mary T Streck)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udjH7EON5IY
Liturgy of Word
First Reading:Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10(Joan Pesce)
I am a great ruler, says Yahweh Omnipotent, and my name inspires awe among the nations. And now, you priests, this decree is for you: unless you listen to me and take it to heart to give honor to my name, I will lay a curse on you. You turned aside from that path—you caused many to stumble with your instructions! You have corrupted the covenant of Levi. So I, Yahweh Omnipotent, made you vile and contemptible to the whole people because you did not keep to my path but showed partiality in the way you administered the law.
These are the inspired words of the prophet Malachi, and we respond by saying AMEN!
Sung Response:More Light - Christopher Grundy
https://youtu.be/a8XaUlqb8t0
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:7b-9, 13(Joan Meehan)
Brothers and sisters:
While we were with you, we were as gentle as any nursing mother caring for her little ones. So well-disposed were we toward you in fact, that we were willing to share with you not only the Good News, but our very lives—you had become that dear to us. Let us remind you, sisters and brothers, of our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the Good News of God to you.And we constantly thank God for the way you received the words we preached to you, not as our word but as the word of God, which it really was. And it changed your lives when you believed it.
These are the inspired words of Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles, and we respond by saying AMEN!
Alleluia (Eightfold) – Jan Phillips
https://youtu.be/IC4nbwmQDVw
Gospel Reading: Matthew 23:1-12 (Joan Pesce)
Jesus told the crowds and the disciples, "The religious scholars and the Pharisees have succeeded Moses as teachers; therefore, perform every observance they tell you to. But don’t follow their example. Even they don’t do what they say. They tie up heavy loads and lay them on others’ shoulders, while they themselves will not lift a finger to help alleviate the burden. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and wear huge tassels. They are fond of places of honor at banquets and the front seats in synagogues. They love respectful greetings in public and being called 'Rabbi.' But as for you, avoid the title 'Rabbi.' For you have only one Teacher, and you are all sisters and brothers. And don’t call anyone on earth your ‘Mother’ or ‘Father.’ You have only one Parent—our loving God in heaven. Avoid being called leaders. You have only one leader—the Messiah. The greatest among you will be the one who serves the rest. Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, but those who humble themselves will be exalted."
These are the inspired words of the Evangelist named Matthew; we respond by saying AMEN!
Homily and Shared Reflections(Jim M)
Statement of Faith(Mary Al G)
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(Joan Meehan)
As we prepare to share a sacred meal, we voice our personal cares, concerns and the needs of our world…..
We pray for all those suffering destruction and devastation caused by war,
especially in Ukraine and Russia, Palestine and Israel,
We pray for the courage to live nonviolently as Jesus taught.
We pray for all those suffering from earthquakes, famine, and all
environmental disasters.
Who and For what else and for whom should we remember as we gather at
table today? (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.
(Jim M)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. May Spirit Sophia transform us and the gifts on our Eucharistic tables to reveal the presence of the Christ in our midst and in our world.
(Dotty S)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 and to fix that memory clearly with them, he bent down and washed their feet like the least of household servants.
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 M)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 who proclaim the Good News by living justly, loving tenderly, and walking with integrity all our days on the earth. As we eat and drink, be mindful that we are “God’s Beloved!”
Communion Song: At This Table - Idina Menzel (video by Denise Hackert-Stoner)
https://youtu.be/n9Xf4cHOcwQ
Prayer After Communion(Elena G)
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)
Let us raise our hands and sing our blessing to and over each other!!!
Blessing Song - Jan Phillips
https://youtu.be/l1hFUfSb1Ww
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If you would like to add your intercessions to our MMOJ Community Prayers book, please send email to:Jmeehan515@aol.com
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Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community
5342 Clark Rd. PMB #3079
Sarasota, FL 34233
