Divine Presence within and in all
Theme: Happiness-Recognizing the Divine Presence in All
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Welcome
(Mary) Welcome brothers and sisters. We come together once again, as a church without walls, at the table of Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community, for a liturgy in which everyone is welcome to share the gifts of the compassionate presence of God with one another. 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. When speaking a part please unmute and re-mute yourself. Following the shared homily we ask you to unmute yourself to contribute your thoughts and when you are finished, remember to re-mute.
-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)
(Elena) We gather together today with just a few short weeks before the Lenten season begins. A season when we voluntarily retreat to the desert with you and strive to look through a different lens at the depth and magnitude of Your love for us. A time when we give ourselves the opportunity to experience Your Divine Presence and listen for Your Call To Participate in the Divine Plan for renewal and unity in all creation and within ourselves. In this liturgy, let us ask for the grace to open our hearts to explore through prayers, readings and sharing what it means to “Recognize The Divine Will and Presence in All” We continue to live in increasingly difficult times … each of us with separate paths and different destinies...and all of us guided on our way by God, who is ever present within us.
Today’s readings speak to us about those times when we are conflicted between feeling a burning desire to follow and an equally burning desire to flee from God and Her request. The main characters with a message for us today are Jonah, Peter, Andrew, James and John.
Let us take a moment to recall that we are always in the presence of the Divine and the Divine Presence dwells within each and all of us. Let us delight in this knowledge. In our gathering song I invite you to join in the repetition of the invitation to the Divine Presence to permeate our beings with Peace, Joy, Light, and Grace.
Opening Prayer:
(Elena) O Holy One, voice in the listening heart, your gifts to us are beyond measure, and your patience without limit. We gratefully acknowledge your presence among us and within us. As we gather to celebrate Eucharist, we offer you thanks and praise for the gift of our humanity, the consciousness and freedom that allows us to know you and respond to you and one another. We ask that you continue to graft us onto your wholeness so that with absolute self-confidence we may experience an impassioned desire to have everyone else experience the same transformation and ecstasy. Amen
Gathering Song: “O Come Round” by Jan
https://youtu.be/HS4qnF6aqNY?si=9rPjU7SA_XpA8_do
~O Come Round Come Round Me, Come Round Come Round Come Round
O Come Round Come Round Me, Come Round Come Round Come Round
~O Come Peace Come Round Me, Come Round Come Round Come Round
O Come Peace Come Round Me, Come Round Come Round Come Round
~O Come Joy Come Round Me, Come round Come Round Come Round
O Come Joy Come Round Me, Come round Come Round Come Round
~O Come Light Come Round Me, Come Round Come Round Come Round
O Come Light Come Round Me, Come round Come Round Come Round
~O Come Grace Come Round Me, Come Round Come Round Come Round
O Come Grace Come Round Me, Come Round Come Round Come Round
~O Come Friends Come Round Me, Come Round Come Round Come Round
O Come Friends Come Round Me, Come Round Come Round Come Round
~O Come Round Come Round Me, Come Round Come Round Come Round
O Come Round Come Round Me, Come Round Come Round Come Round
Sign of Peace (Andrea) Let us offer each other a sign of the Peace of Christ that dwells within us.
All: Namaste. 3x The Peace of Christ be with you. Namaste
Transformation Rite
(Mary and All) We pause now to remember the times 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)
All: As we ask for and receive forgiveness, we open our hearts to Infinite Love embracing and healing us. Let it be.
GLORIA
(Jeanne S and All)
Glory to the Spirit of Life, to the Holy One who surrounds us, who lives within us, whose Sacred Word is shared by us.
Glory to the Spirit of Life, who cares for the health workers, postal workers, store clerks, garbage collectors and all those who serve our special needs in numerous ways.
Glory to the Spirit of Life, who offers us peace; peace in our hearts, peace in our thoughts, and peace with one another.
Glory to the Spirit of Life, who sent Jesus who teaches us how to live the Gospels, who brings hope and healing to all those in need.
O Holy One, you are one with us. We are strong in our faith and will live life in hope and faithfulness to you, to be Church, committed to the message of the Gospel’s Sacred Word as shared by us.
We depend upon the ever-present Spirit, Sophia Wisdom, to walk with us as we journey in the present and rejoice in the life before us.
Glory and Praise to the Spirit of Life who dwells within us!
Liturgy of the Word
(Andrea)
Everybody knows about Jonah. People who have never read the Bible know enough about Jonah to laugh at a joke about him and the “whale.” Jonah has entered our folklore. There is a playful aspect to his story, a kind of slapstick clumsiness about Jonah as he bumbles his way along, trying, but always unsuccessfully, to avoid God. But the playfulness is not frivolous. This is deadly serious. While we are smiling or laughing at Jonah, we drop the guard with which we are trying to keep God at a comfortable distance, and suddenly we find ourselves caught in the purpose and commands of God. All of us. No exceptions.
This introduction is found in Eugene Peterson’s The Message
A Reading: This reading is a paraphrasing from the Book of Jonah which is comprised of four chapters.
One day long ago, God’s word came to Jonah, Amittai’s son: “Up on your feet and on your way to the big City of Ninevah! Preach to them. They’re in a bad way and I can’t ignore it any longer.” But Jonah got up and went the other way, running away from God. At the Port of Joppa he payed the fare and went on board, joining those going to Tarshish – as far away from God as he could get. But God sent a huge storm at sea. With the waves towering, the ship was about to break into pieces. After praying to their gods to no avail and finding Jonah in the hold of the ship taking a nap, the captain came to him and asked him identifying questions. Learning about his family, his God and the reason he boarded the ship, the sailors prayed to their God asking for guidance and expressing trust. They threw Jonah overboard and immediately the sea was quieted down. The sailors were impressed, no longer terrified by the sea, but in awe of God, they offered a sacrifice and made vows. Then God assigned a huge fish to swallow Jonah. Jonah was in the fish’s belly three days and nights.
This is a part of the story about Jonah presented in THE MESSAGE -- The bible in contemporary language by Eugene Peterson.
And we all respond: So Be It!
Responsorial Psalm
(Jeanne S) Psalm 105 (Nan Merrill-Psalms for Praying)
All: Listen in silence for the Voice of the Counselor
O give thanks to the Beloved and open your hearts to Love.
Sing praises with a glad heart and give witness to the truth with your lives!
Glory in the radiance of the Beloved, and let the hearts of those who call upon you rejoice!
All: Listen in silence for the voice of the Counselor
You are the promise of our wholeness, You await our readiness to choose life,
Your covenant of Love stands firm through all ages;
You forgive us when we stray far from home.
As we sift through our dreams, guide us to the only Dream that brings peace-
knowing we belong to You.
All: Listen in silence for the voice of the Counselor
In You alone is our trust, O Holy One; Walking your Way is the truth that sets us free.
O that we may open our minds and hearts, and welcome you into our home,
That we may live each day conversing with You, O Loving Companion Presence!
Listen in silence for the voice of the Counselor
(Elena) Let us listen attentively as God tells us again about making Her home in us.
Acclamation: Celtic Alleluia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1rc7ojQtJU
Gospel Mark1:14-20 (Joan M) After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee preaching the Message of God: “Time’s up! God’s kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message.” Passing along the beach of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew net-fishing. Fishing was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fishermen out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed. A dozen yards or so down the beach he saw the brothers James and John, Zebedee’s sons. They were in the boat mending their fishnets. Right off, he made the same offer. Immediately, they left their father Zebedee, the boat and the hired hands and followed.
These are inspired words found in the Gospel of Mark the evangelist and we respond: AMEN So be it!
Acclamation: Celtic Alleluia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1rc7ojQtJU
Homily Starter and Community Sharing
Profession of Faith: (Jeanne and All)
~We believe in our Creator who has not forgotten us and is ever and always present with us.
~We believe in Jesus, prophet and teacher, who journeyed on the earth, blessing the sick, making whole the broken, healing many, instilling faith in his followers so that they insure his legacy till the end of time.
~We believe in the Cosmic Christ, the everlasting Presence, one with the universe.
~We believe in Sacred Spirit, the breath of wisdom Sophia, the power of the winds enwrapping us in glory.
~We believe in the communion of saints, our heavenly friends who walk with us in love, who are never far from us, who are separated from us by a mere veil, always near opening our minds to what is difficult to see. ~We believe in the partnership and equality of women and men in our Church and our world. In this space we live our prophetic call of Gospel equality.
Prayer of the Community
(Joan M) In keeping with the 2024 CAC’s (Center for Action and Contemplation) theme of Radical Resilience we pray:
The crisis of our Planet is the result of our contribution to the destruction of our life support system.
(All) Spirit Sophia Wisdom, give us the grace to respond to your call as you lead each of us in a direction that is life-giving and fruitful.
The crisis of Poverty is enhanced by the unequal distribution of wealth and power concentrated on a tiny minority of people.
(All) Jesus, be with our present day prophets who make unpopular decisions for the cause of justice and truth.
The crisis of Peace finds us increasingly setting on fire all our divisions by disseminating more and more weapons of kill power that impact conflicts of racial, economic, religious, and gender related issues.
(All) Holy One, help us to silence all that would deafen us to your call for Peace.
The crisis of Religion identified by some as being led by guilty bystanders who are selling people an evacuation plan.
(All) Fill us with courage and strength to participate in a transformation plan whereby we will engage in healing, feeding, caring, welcoming, and binding up the wounds of the world.
We pray for our MMOJ intentions on our community prayer book.
Who or what else shall we lift up in prayer? (After each petition say) All: Heart of Compassion, hear our prayer.
(Joan M) You, O Holy One, are our place of refuge. You continue to call us forth to be your people in a world of division and distress. You Speak to us in the silence of our hearts, and we listen. Then we speak to you from the fullness of our hearts. This listening and this speaking comes from an awareness of your presence within us and all of creation.
Preparation of the Gifts (Elena)
~The Holy One is with us, abounding in Love!
All: We open our hearts in Christ, who lives and loves, heals and empowers through us!
~Let us give thanks to the Source of all Life.
All: O Loving God, you bring to birth the world of our dreams for mutual respect and partnership. We do well always and everywhere to give you praise! Give us courage to act justly and work collaboratively to change systems that keep people poor and marginalized in our society.
~As the Ground of our Being, O Holy One, we marvel and wonder at the size and complexity of our universe. We give thanks for your Creative Presence that “charges” this life and all that exists. We recognize that human life gives your Creator Spirit a particular way of coming to expression, and that in us your Spirit can speak and write, love and create. We now dance and sing with the choirs of angels:
Holy, Holy, Holy:
Here in this Place by Christopher Gundry:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9LZURdBJxE
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 is this place. (x2)
Holy, holy, holy God of love and majesty
the whole universe speaks of your glory
from the holy ground here in this place. Here in this place. (x2)
Eucharistic Prayer
(Mary ) Creator God, we see around us the work of your hands, the fruit of your wisdom and love. The unfolding story of creation witnesses unceasingly to your creative power. We give you praise and thanksgiving for birthing afresh in our world the power of Sophia Wisdom. In the gift of the Spirit, your creative goodness blooms anew amid the variety and wonder of life.
Epiclesis (Elena)
Please raise your hands over the bread and wine for the Invocation of the Holy Spirit
(Elena and All) We call upon you, O Spirit of Life, you who enliven all that exists. Transform these gifts of bread and wine, and our very lives, by your grace that nourishes and sustains us on our journey—our mission to be the loving face of God in our world.
Consecration: (Mary and All)
All: At this gathering, we take bread, as Jesus took bread, and we
remember, as Jesus remembered, the constant presence of the
Spirit of Life and Love. And Jesus offers it to us now, saying: (raise bread)
Take and eat, all of you. This is my body which will be given up for you. (Pause)
When supper ends, Jesus takes the cup, speaks the grace, and offers it to us now, saying:
(raise cup) Take and drink this cup of my life-blood, the life of the new and everlasting covenant. It is poured out for you and for all, so that you might be free. Whenever you re-member me like this, I am among you.
Sanctuary: Lead by Linda Lee Miller
https://youtu.be/F58K3CHK0HI
(Elena) Let us now eat and drink mindful that The Holy One is present in each one of us. Thus we proclaim the sacred presence of our nurturing God.
Communion Meditation Song I am the One within You by Karen Drucker
https://youtu.be/wXZ6Je4xeRU
(Mary and All)
Sacred Spirit, we rejoice that the Universal Christ remains always and ever present within and around us. We remember all those who have transitioned from life on earth to complete union with the Sacred Presence. We remember our sister priests, strong extraordinary women. We remember, too, family members and friends. We remember all those whose lives have been lost to wars, to racism and all other “isims” that exist in our world. And we remember those you wish to be remembered….(pause to name those loved ones you wish to remember) All are beloved souls who have blessed our lives and who continue to inspire us. God of our dreams, may we give birth to the Word made Flesh in us every day.
Great Amen: Lead by Linda Lee Miller
https://youtu.be/Dy76fpfkNsg
(Jeanne S) Let us pray together the prayer of Jesus
All: O Holy One, you are 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 your 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
(Elena)
God of new beginnings, thank you for nourishing us in your sacrament. Reminded again in this liturgy of the power of your Infinite Presence within us may we continue to open our hearts to the daily miracles of life that surround us each day. We ask this in Your Holy Name.
All: Amen
INTRODUCTIONS, GRATITUDES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONCLUDING RITE
(Andrea) As we prepare to leave this holy place and moment, let us confer a blessing on each other, express our gratitude and ask for the grace to continue to recognize the Divine Presence within us and all around us. May we become ever more conscious of our individual and collective call from The Holy One. Thus may we manifest the Glory of God by becoming all we were made to be.
BLESSING
(Elena) Our God is with you. All: And also with you.
(Everyone please extend your hands in mutual blessing)
All: May our loving God fill us with radiant joy and an increase of faith. May our liberating God fill us with deep peace, and may our compassionate God bless us always with strength to serve the broken and excluded. Amen
(Mary) As we leave here in the peace of Christ and the joyful realization that God dwells within us, let us be mindful of our connection to each other, and may we always strive to recognize the Divine Presence in all we encounter. May we strive to be the joyful and compassionate people that God created us to be. And let our service continue!
All: Thanks be to God. Let it be so!
Closing: Learning to sit without knowing----Carrie Newcomer
https://youtu.be/I_t8WqgKL3I?si=dHQcrPypF-7G9jFy
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If you would like to add your intercession to our MMOJ Community Prayers book,
Please send an email to jmeehan515@aol.com
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