Theme: Protect Us
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https://zoom.us/j/93473708926?pwd=VHFKZGJ5N3ljbzZtVU1qQVRZY1lodz09
Meeting ID: 934 7370 8926
Passcode: 552967
Welcome and Gathering
Stephen: Welcome to our Zoom liturgy at Mary Mother of Jesus, an inclusive Catholic Community where all are welcome.
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 moments 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 transform ourselves and our world through love; love for our Holy One, love for our neighbors, love for ourselves, and love for our planet. Let us begin our liturgy by expressing this love through song.
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Opening Prayer
Kathryn: In the name of our Beloved, we gather to celebrate life in the fullest and our oneness with and in you and in all things. Oh Holy One, you have protected us through the many storms in our lives and brought us through our darkest hours into the light with renewed hope and courage. We give thanks for your great love and protection. May we be the people you have called us to be; co-creators of a world that is yet unfolding. May we be the seeds that grow into a world of unconditional love, compassion, and embracement of all people, especially those living on the margins. Let our ears hear, our eyes see, and our hearts receive as we work to expand the power of Your love on this Earth. Amen.
Rite of Transformation
Bob: We pause now to remember the times we have not born fruit in caring for self, others, and our planet Earth. Take a moment to recall one missed opportunity, one broken or damaged relationship. (Pause briefly and extend your hand over your heart)
Bob and ALL: As we ask for and receive forgiveness, we open our hearts to Infinite Love embracing and healing us. Let it be so! Alleluia!
A Joyful Gloria: Linda Lee Miller and graphics by Rick Miller
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lA5I0nODZI
Liturgy of the Word
Anna: First Reading: Ezekiel 17:22-24
Thus says our GOD:
I, too, will take from the crest of the cedar,
from its topmost branches tear off a tender shoot,
and plant it on a high and lofty mountain;
on the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it.
It shall put forth branches and bear fruit,
and become a majestic cedar.
Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it,
every winged thing in the shade of its boughs.
And all the trees of the field shall know
that I, the Creator, bring low the high tree,
lift high the lowly tree,
wither up the green tree,
and make the withered tree bloom.
As I, the LORD, have spoken, so will I do.
And to this we say, AMEN.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 92 Oh Most High
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jERlH2pg7e4
Seth: Second Reading: Ode to My Dad (adapted from Power of Poetry)
This is for my hero, my dad
He is the best father a kid could ever have.
He laughs a lot, and makes me happy
Even though some of his jokes are kind of sappy.
I try to do things on my own, because that is how I'm raised.
But my dad is there in case I fail, and he is never fazed.
He picks me up and dusts me off, and shows me how it's done.
He makes things seem so easy,
even hard jobs seem like fun.
Sometimes he is a chef, working at the barbecue.
I can still smell the smoke as he cooks a steak or two.
Sometimes he is a chauffeur, driving here and there but,
Sometimes I drive him crazy.
I'm surprised he still has hair.
I know my dad will always protect me and always keep me safe.
He would do anything to keep a smile on my face, and I would do the same.
We love each other a whole lot.
That is why my dad is my go to guy.
Alle, Alle, Alleluia: Linda Lee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID5UGWcS6Ws
Joan P: Gospel. Mark 4:26-34
Jesus said to the crowds:
“This is how it is with the kingdom of God;
it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land
and would sleep and rise night and day
and through it all the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how.
Of its own accord the land yields fruit,
first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once,
for the harvest has come.”
He said,
“To what shall we compare the kingdom of God,
or what parable can we use for it?
It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground,
is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.
But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants
and puts forth large branches,
so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”
With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it.
Without parables he did not speak to them,
but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.
These are the inspired words of the Gospel writer known as Mark, and the community affirms them by saying, Amen.
Homily Starter/Community Sharing
Communal Statement of Faith
Pat and ALL: We believe in one God, 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 God's Word, bringer of God's healing, heart of God's compassion, bright star in the firmament of God's prophets, mystics, and saints.
We believe that we are called to follow Jesus as a vehicle of God's love, a source of God's wisdom and truth, and an instrument of God's peace in the world.
We believe that God's 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.
Prayers of and for the Community
Bob: We now bring our prayer intentions to the Table.
Our response is: All: May our love bring protection and healing to all in need.
We pray for all who continue to be impacted from the natural disasters in our world. R
We pray for the people in all war-torn countries in our hurting world, most especially the children, that they may live in peace without fear and that goodness and sanity will fill the hearts and minds of those that would cause them harm. R
We pray that our government puts children above guns, power, and greed. R
We pray for our MMOJ intentions on our community prayer list. (Joan shares)
Our response is: All: May our love bring protection and healing to all in need.
For what else should we pray?
Our response is: All: May our love bring protection and healing to all in need.
Bob: Holy Mystery may we respond to the needs of our sisters and brothers in loving prayer and solidarity. Amen
Presentation of the Bread and Wine
Anna: Gracious God, you have set the banquet table and have invited all of us to a feast of unending delight. Blessed are You, Holy One, through Your divine providence we have this bread, to share, the Bread of Life.
Anna and All: Blessed are You, Holy One, forever.
Joan: Blessed are You, O Loving One through Your divine providence we have this wine to share, our spiritual drink.
Joan and All: Blessed are, You, Holy One, forever.
Pat: Let us lift up our hearts.
Pat and All: We lift them up to the Holy One, living in us and loving through us.
Eucharistic Prayer
Stephen: Gracious Wisdom, you embrace us with your extravagant affection in our times of both blessedness and weakness. You are always with us…you living in us and we living in you. In this festive meal, your Spirit is poured out on each of us gathered in the circle of your friends and disciples, we also ask that your Spirit be spread to those of our community who are not with us today.
Let us rejoice as we sing:
All: Holy, Holy, Holy Linda Lee Miller
(adapted from Holy, Holy, Holy by Karen Drucker)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orKBBIj5LZA
Pat: We thank you for the gift of Jesus of Nazareth in history -- and the gift of Jesus in faith. On earth, his life burned with the vision of his mission on earth. Through the example of his life – his teachings and actions - he showed us not only how we should live, but also what was worth even dying for.
Kathryn and All: When his time on earth had come to an end, Jesus – aware of and accepting his destiny – gave us his life for the values that he deeply believed, lived and taught…his conviction that love is stronger than death. And then, in providing an example of this wisdom for all people in ages to come, he opened wide his arms…and died. And the spirit that lived in Jesus resurrected him to a new life, a promise made to all of us too who live the new story. Jesus is with us today and he will be through the end of time.
(With an outstretched arm, we pray the consecration together.
Stephen and ALL: We remember the gift that Jesus gave us on the night before he died. He gathered with his friends to share a final Passover meal. And it was at that supper that Jesus took bread, said the blessing and shared it with them 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. When you do this, remember me and all that I have taught you. This is the new and everlasting covenant.
[short pause]
In the same way, Jesus took a cup of wine, said the blessing and gave it to his friends 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.
Kathryn: Jesus, who was with God “in the beginning of the creation of the heavens and the earth,” is with us now in this bread. The Spirit, of whom the prophets spoke in history, is with usnow in this cup. Let us proclaim this mystery of faith.
Kathryn and All: Jesus has died. Christ is risen. The Divine Presence lives in us and through us in the world today.
Anna: God, we know that you bless your church 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, our Bishop and for everyone with whom we come in contact, especially those who live on the margins of church and society. They are all our brothers and sisters, members 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..)
Anna and ALL: 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.
Great Amen: Linda Lee Miller
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy76fpfkNsg
COMMUNION RITE
The Prayer of Jesus
Stephen, Seth, and ALL: Let us pray as Jesus taught us.
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 Adapted, Miriam Therese Winter, MMS
Sign of Peace:
Kathryn: 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)
Seth: 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.”
Bob: 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.
Kathryn: This is the bread of life and the cup of blessing. Blessed are we who are called to Christ’s table.
Stephen and All: May we live as the Body of Christ in the world, serving all in need, especially those living on the margin.
Please receive/share Eucharist now, saying: “You are the bread of life.” And “You are the cup of compassion.”
Communion Song: Great is Your Faithfulness by James Block
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1I_X2bxfAq8
Introductions/Thanksgiving/Announcements
Closing Community Prayer
Stephen: Oh Holy One, As we step into each new day, we humbly place ourselves under Your loving care. Surround us with Your shielding presence and let Your grace be our armor. Guide our steps and lead us along paths of righteousness. Keep us safe from the unforeseen dangers of the day and guard our minds against negative thoughts. As we interact with others, let us be a beacon of Your love and peace, reflecting Your goodness in all that we do.
We entrust our loved ones into Your hands, knowing that Your watchful eyes are upon them too. As the shepherd watches over his flock, watch over us, protecting us from harm and leading us away from the snares of the enemy. In the name of all that is Holy, we pray. Amen.
Community Blessing and Commissioning
Kathryn: And together with our arms extended to one another we say:
Spirit that glistens in the light, bless this community that shares so generously with their hands and their hearts. Keep us ever mindful of the powerful possibilities of love as we walk through all the seasons of our lives. Amen.
ALL: Thanks be to God. Let it be so! And so it is! Alleluia!
Closing Song: Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0n-mYqB9WQ
If you would like to add your intercession to our MMOJ Community Prayers book,
Please send an email to jmeehan515@aol.com
If you would like to invite another person to attend our liturgy please refer them to
www.marymotherofJesus.org where the day’s liturgy is found. Zoom instructions are also included there.
Please send donations to: Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community
5342 Clark Road #3079
Sarasota, FL 34233 www.marymotherofjesus.net
