On the Journey to the Stable
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/93473708926?pwd=VHFKZGJ5N3ljbzZtVU1qQVRZY1lodz09
Meeting ID: 934 7370 8926
Passcode: 552967
Welcome and Gathering
Katy Welcome to our Zoom liturgy at Mary Mother of Jesus, an inclusive Catholic Community where all are welcome.
-All participants will be muted during the liturgy except for the presiders and readers.
-Please have bread and wine/juice nearby as we pray our Eucharistic prayer.
Whoever you are,
Wherever you are,
Just as you are,
You are welcome at this table.
(Integral Christianity by Paul Smith)
Let us now take a few minutes 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 celebrate this time of waiting and gathering for our journey to the stable in Bethlehem.
Opening Song
A time for quieting ourselves as we enter the desert
"Just Imagine..." A Sand Art by Ilana Yahav
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKo7oy2p44U
Opening Prayer
Katy: Hope is the most courageous and creative of thevirtues. It companions us undaunted into darkness willing us to dream differently. It persists in kneading grace into the shadows staunchly scorning cynics’ cries of gloom. Wounded, weary, yet undaunted it welds itself to us unyieldingly steadfast. Hope, uncompromising, carries the promise of life and love; beauty and goodness. The darkness will not extinguish nor overcome the light. (On Hope by Sr. Amarcella Clancy, CSJ)
Liturgy of the Word
Bob Ferkenhoff: The First Reading is from Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
“Console my people, console them” says our God. “Speak to the heart of Jerusalem and cry to the city that her period of service is ended…A voice cries, “prepare in the desert away for Yahweh. Make a straight highway for our God across the wasteland. Let every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill be levelled, every cliff become a plateau, every escarpment a plain: then the glory of Holy Mystery will be revealed and all humanity will see it together, for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken…The Holy One is like a shepherd feeding the flock, gathering lambs in God’s arms, holding them against her breast and leading to their rest the mother ewes…., ALL: Let it be so.
Psalm Response: O Antiphons
Jerry and Suzanne read bold, All read response.
Come o Wisdom, Sophia’s Child and Mary’s too bring us back to you.
Come O Adonai, Child of Ancient Israel set us free of fear, despair, and misogyny.
Come O of Flower of Jesse’s tree, uproot our hatreds. Wash us clean in just-reign waters, plant us deep in thee.
Come O Key of David, Open heaven’s gate. Unlock, unblock, free this captive Church too long enthralled with power.
Come O Radiant Dawn, dispel death’s dark shadow. Light the way of all who long to preach, to teach, to consecrate Heavenly hosts of God’s indwelling.
Come O Emmanuel, God’s gladsome “with us” news, Strengthen weary arms, steady trembling knees. Bring surcease of sorrow.
Jerry and Suzanne and All: Come O Advent Light, pierce December gloom, quicken our waiting world with life’s fresh blessed tomorrow. Bring hopefuljoyful tidings of God’s new birth. Come through the labor of a woman, borne So all know well Emmanuel. Amen (adapted from Chris Schenk CSJ, 10/98 based on the O Antiphons)
Pat F Second Reading: The 12 Messages revealed toNancy Rynes (pg. 47*)
(Read Slowly and deliberately)
We respond All: May this be so
*Nancy Rynes. “Awakenings from the Light: 12 Life Lessons from a Near Death Experience (NDE)” CreateSpace, Amazon.com and Solace Press, Denver CO, 2015,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1rc7ojQtJU
Jim Brandi Gospel Reading: Mark 1: 1-8
The Good news of Jesus Christ—the Message! —begins here,
follow to the letter this scroll of the prophet Isaiah:
Watch closely, I’m sending my preacher ahead of you;
He’ll make the road smooth for you.
Thunder in the desert!
Prepare for God’s arrival!
Make the road smooth and straight!
John wore a camel-hair habit, tied at the waist with a leather belt. He ate locusts and wild field honey. John the Baptizer appeared in the world, preaching a baptism of life change that leads to forgiveness of sins. People thronged to him from Judea and Jerusalem and as they confessed their sins, were baptized by him in the Jordon River to a changed life.
As John preached, he said, “The real action comes next: The star in this drama, to whom I’m a mere stagehand, will change your life. I’m baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kin-dom life. His baptism—a holy baptism by Sophia his Wisdom—will change you from your inside out.” The inspired words of Mark. All: I do believe. (from the Message by Peterson
Homily Starter and Community Sharing
Communal Statement of Faith
Kathryn S and ALL: We believe in Holy Mystery in whom we are born, we live and move and have our being and to whom we return. We believe in Jesus our Universal Christ,our brother and love, our hope and our light. Born in a stable, he now resides in our souls and all of creation.
We believe in the Sophia Wisdom of Jesus renewer of the brokenness within our society and the world. Sofia who energizes and guides us to rebuild caring communities and to challenge injustices. We believe that all are one in the community of creation and we are responsible for tending to and sustaining Earth’s life-giving systems for future generations.
We believe in the Communion of Saints, our heavenly friends and family, who support us on life’s journey. We believe in the partnership and equality of women and men in our faith community and across the world. We believe that God calls us to live fully, love tenderly and serve generously as we cross the desert and return to the stable to celebrate the birth of Jesus. May we make the journey with gratefulness in our hearts.
Prayers of and for the Community
Pat F: We now bring our prayer intentions to the Table.
Response: All: Sophia Wisdom, give us guidance as we respond with your compassion.
We pray for all those who have died as a result of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the West Bank. We pray for those who are hostages, suffering, deceased or missing. R
We pray for ARCWP Wanda Russell in the hospital for heart trouble, and for ARCWP Kim Panaro who has surgery after a fall. And for Marianne Smyth undergoing treatment for cancer. R
We pray for all those suffering as a result of the natural disasters taking place on our planet, as the COP 28 meets in Dubai, may the oil countries’ control be replaced by governments and organizations desiring to keep the earth temperature from rising to “be able to stop climate change” R
(Joan shares) We pray for all the intentions in our MMOJ community prayer list:
Response: All: Sophia Wisdom, give us guidance as we respond with your compassion.
And, for what else should we pray?
Response: All: Sophia Wisdom, give us guidance as we respond with your compassion.
Pat F. Holy Mystery may we respond to the needs of our sisters and brothers in loving prayer and solidarity.as we live, reflect and pray this Advent journeying to the stable for the birth of Jesus, now in our hearts.
Presentation of the Bread and Wine
Jim B: Blessed are you, Holy Mystery, Creator of all life, this bread is your community of MMOJ coming to your birth place through the desert, spending time reflecting on your Way for us. Arriving at your birth place in our hearts bringing our faith, hope and love as a gift for you. We have this bread to offer, it will become for us the Bread of Life. All: Praise to you Jesus Christ, Wise Elder Brother,heralded by John in the desert.
Katy Blessed are you, Holy Mystery, in whom we live and move and have our being. This wine is our desire to live following your Way for us. Lives of reconciliation, healing, justice and peace for humanity and earth. We have this wine to offer, it will become our spiritual drink to sustain us in our desert times and times of celebration. All: Praise to you Jesus Christ, Wise Elder Brother, heralded by John in the desert.
Rite of Transformation
Jerry S We pause now to remember a time we have not born fruit in caring for self and others. Take a moment to recall one missed opportunity, one broken or damaged relationship. (Pause briefly and extend your hand over your heart)
Suzanne and all: As we ask for and receive forgivenesswalking through the desert to the stable. We open our hearts to Infinite Love embracing and healing us on our Advent journey. Let it be so, Yes
Eucharistic Prayer
Let us rejoice as we sing:
All: Holy, Holy, Holy sung by Linda Lee Miller
(adapted from Holy, Holy, Holy by Karen Drucker)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orKBBIj5LZA
Jim: Come Holy Spirit and settle on this bread and wine. Fill them with the holiness and Wholeness of our living Brother, our Cosmic Christ born in a stable and living in the center of our souls today.
(With an outstretched arm, we pray the consecration together.)
Jim and All: We remember the gift that Jesus gave us on the night before he died. He gathered with his friends, followers and family to share a final Passover meal. It was at that supper that Jesus took bread, said the blessing and shared it with us 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 through time. When you do this, remember me and all that I have taught you. This is the new and everlasting covenant.”
[short pause]
Bob F and All: In the same way, Jesus took a cup of wine, said the blessing and gave it to his friends, followers and family 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.
Jim B: God, we know you bless your Pilgrim People of God 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, Mary Eileen, Olga Alvarez our Bishops and for everyone with whom we come in contact, especially those who live on the margins of church and society. All our brothers and sisters aremembers 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..)
Pat F and All (lift up bread and cup) : 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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy76fpfkNsg
COMMUNION RITE
The Prayer of Jesus*
Kathryn S Let us pray as Jesus taught us.
Kathrn and All: Oh, Breath of Life, Creator of the Shimmering Sound, that flows through the conscious place, within our womb-space wherein our heart exists giving light, to all. From this divine union and our willing hands, clear our intention for co-creation of a new world of peace.
Create in each of us a divine cooperation, one compassionate action. And help us fulfill what lies within the circle of our lives. Each day we ask no more, no less. Forgive us our hidden past, the secret shames, as we consistently forgive what others hide. Don't let surface things delude us, but free us from what holds us back from our true purpose.
May power be in these statements and may they be the ground from which all our actions grow sealed in trust and faith. May this be so
Sign of Peace:
Bob F 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)
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, “Namaste, Namaste, Namaste.”
Pat F: Please join in praying the Litany for the Breaking of the Bread:
Pat F and 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.
Jim B (lift up the bread and wine) This is the bread of life and the cup of blessing. Blessed are we who are called to Christ’s table.
Jim B and All: May we live as the Body of Christ in the world, serving all in need, especially those living without hope.
Jim B: Please receive/share Eucharist now, saying: “You are the living bread of life.” And “You are the living wine of compassion.”
Communion Song: There is only Love by Karen Drucker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdDhH8hoQ5c
After Communion Reflection
Adapted from a Reflection on John the Baptist
Suzanne and Jerry: And we, glorifying God, the marvelous Creator of miracles, sing to you: Rejoice, change of your mother’s tears into joy.
Rejoice, for in the sixth month after your conception, the Most Holy Virgin Mary was visited by an angel in Nazareth.
Rejoice, for the Name of God was blessed by your father on your account.
Rejoice, great John, Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist of Jesus Universal Christ.
All Amen. Adapted from Akathist hymn to Saint John the Baptist,
Introductions/Thanksgiving/Announcement
Closing Community Prayer
Kathryn: A Prayer for Peace across the world and at Christmas and the New Year 2024
For those who are fleeing: sanctuary
For those who are staying: safety
For those who are fighting: peace
For those whose hearts
are breaking: comfort
For those who see no future: hope
Kathryn and All: Amen
Closing Community Blessing
Katy and Jim: Together with our arms extended to one another;
we say our Final Blessing especially for times
when we are in the desert on the journey to new birth.
May God’s Light encircle you
May God’s Love enfold you
May God’s Peace encourage you
May God’s Hope fill your heart and soul.
May God’s Presence enrich us
As we continue our journey to the stable to celebrate the birth of Jesus in the stable and our hearts each day.
ALL: Thanks be to God. A blessed Advent to all.
Closing Song:
GRATEFUL: A Love Song to the World | Empty Hands Music | nimo feat. Daniel Nahmod
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO2o98Zpzg8&list=RDsO2o98Zpzg8&start_radio=1
If you would like to add your intercession to our MMOJ Community Prayers book,
Please send an email to jmeehan515@aol.com
Please support our community, send your check to:
Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community
5342 Clark Road #3079
Sarasota, FL 34233
If you would like to invite another person to attend our liturgy, please refer them to
www.marymotherofJesus.net where the day’s liturgy is found. Zoom instructions are also included there.
Statement from Catholic Climate Covenant Executive Director Jose Aguto on COP28
Catholic Climate Covenant released the following statement from Executive Director Jose Aguto on the eve of the U.N climate change conference (COP28) in Dubai:
We pray for the quick recovery of Pope Francis. And we pray that our leaders will be guided by wisdom, compassion, and a responsibility for the global common good as they make decisions at COP28 that will shape the future of our planet, its people, and all creation. The climate crisis is upon us, and yet as Pope Francis said in Laudate Deum, “our responses have not been adequate, while the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point.” While President Biden will not be attending, our nation can and must be at the forefront of global efforts to combat the climate crisis. We must act with courage, committing to solutions based upon the scientific evidence. Unless we act now, we risk being unable to deal with the effects of climate change.
We expect our leaders to prioritize the health of our planet over the status quo, and urge them to commit to ambitious and accountable targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and the rapid transition to renewable energy sources. In line with the teachings of Pope Francis and the core tenets of the Catholic faith, we also expect them to uphold principles of climate justice, ensuring that the poorest and most vulnerable communities, who are often the most affected by climate change, are not left behind.
In the spirit of Laudato Si’ and Laudate Deum, we pray they remember that there are three interconnected relationships that demand our attention: our relationship with the Creator, with each other and with our common home, Earth. We cannot attend to just one of these relationships and exclude the others, remaining indifferent to the other two.
We urge our leaders to take bold and decisive action at COP28, including:
| |
|
