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https://zoom.us/j/93473708926?pwd=VHFKZGJ5N3ljbzZtVU1qQVRZY1lodz09
Meeting ID: 934 7370 8926
Passcode: 552967
Theme: We Serve in Joy and Stand with Determination
Welcome and Gathering
Maryal: Welcome to our Zoom liturgy at Mary Mother of Jesus, an inclusive Catholic Community where all are welcome.
Our blessed community gathers weekly on Saturday afternoon to celebrate the Eucharist, love for our Holy One and one another and to give thanks for our many blessings. Our time together is sacred time where we bring our collective loving energy and prayer to help heal ourselves, one another, and our hurting world. “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
Wherever you are,
Just as you are,
You are welcome at this table. (Integral Christianity by Paul Smith)
Let us begin our liturgy by expressing love through song.
Gathering Song: Opening Song: Hosanna Palm Sunday Maranatha
https://youtu.be/YApEIjvE6S4
Opening Prayer
Kathryn: We are grateful, O Holy One, for this opportunity to gather as Christ’s Body. During this liturgy may we endeavor to focus our minds and our hearts on our knowledge that you formed us all as one body, and that we are all supported and strengthened by the same Holy Spirit for the samepurpose: the common good. We are, in the depths of our being, one community.
Blessing of the Palms
Blessing of the Palms (hold your palms up high and gently
wave them)
Maryal: Friends, let us raise our hearts and minds to the mystery of the Holy One, who is fully alive in our world, universe and us. Today, we share the excitement of the people in the holy city of Jerusalem as they welcomed Jesus so many eons ago. It is with hope we welcome the Christ recognizing that eternal and everlasting presence among us. We join in the parade of today that celebrates the ministry of Jesus and we believe that ministry will be made real today in our world, through our efforts and the efforts of all believers.
Kathryn: Sacred Spirit, you whom we call by many names, we bless these palm branches and make them holy. May we, who today hold them high, be bearers of hope as we celebrate the goodness and greatness of all humankind. May we proclaim that all is made new through our individual efforts to create a new parade, a new triumphant entry with our efforts to create the New Jerusalem. We will follow the example of Jesus’s life, his dedication to his purpose, his love for his companions on his journey, and his acceptance of his destiny in standing for justice and peace.
All: Amen
Rite of Transformation
Suzanne: 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)
Seth and ALL: I am sorry. Forgive me. I love you. Thank you.
Liturgy of the Word
Jerry: First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7
God has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.
God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
For our God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
And to these words from Isaiah, we say, ALL: Amen
Response: Psalm 31: 9-16 Song - Trust In You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILehPZNjJfM
Suzanne: Second Reading: Philippians 2:5-11 A reading from Letter to the Philippians
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross. Therefore, God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the people. Thanks be to God. And we respond by saying, AMEN!
Gospel Acclamation: Spirit of the Living God:
https://youtu.be/nkATdLfKufE
Maryal: A reading from the Gospel of LUKE 23:1-49
The whole assembly then rose, and they brought him before Pilate.
They began their accusation by saying, 'We found this man inciting our people to revolt, opposing payment of the tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ, a king.'
Pilate put to him this question, 'Are you the king of the Jews?' He replied, 'It is you who say it.'
Pilate then said to the chief priests and the crowd, 'I find no case against this man.'
But they persisted, 'He is inflaming the people with his teaching all over Judaea and all the way from Galilee, where he started, down to here.'
When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man were a Galilean; and finding that he came under Herod's jurisdiction, he passed him over to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.
Herod was delighted to see Jesus; he had heard about him and had been wanting for a long time to set eyes on him; moreover, he was hoping to see some miracle worked by him.
So he questioned him at some length, but without getting any reply.
Meanwhile the chief priests and the scribes were there, vigorously pressing their accusations.
Then Herod, together with his guards, treated him with contempt and made fun of him; he put a rich cloak on him and sent him back to Pilate.
And though Herod and Pilate had been enemies before, they were reconciled that same day.
Pilate then summoned the chief priests and the leading men and the people.
He said to them, 'You brought this man before me as a popular agitator. Now I have gone into the matter myself in your presence and found no grounds in the man for any of the charges you bring against him.
Nor has Herod either, since he has sent him back to us. As you can see, the man has done nothing that deserves death, so I shall have him flogged and then let him go. He was obliged to release one prisoner for them at the festival.
But as one man they howled, 'Away with him! Give us Barabbas!'
In his desire to set Jesus free, Pilate addressed them again,
but they shouted back, 'Crucify him! Crucify him!'
And for the third time he spoke to them, 'But what harm has this man done? I have found no case against him that deserves death, so I shall have him flogged and then let him go.'
But they kept on shouting at the top of their voices, demanding that he should be crucified. And their shouts kept growing louder.
Pilate then gave his verdict: their demand was to be granted.
He released the man they asked for, who had been imprisoned because of rioting and murder, and handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they pleased.
As they were leading him away they seized on a man, Simon from Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and made him shoulder the cross and carry it behind Jesus.
Large numbers of people followed him, and women too, who mourned and lamented for him.
Kathryn: But Jesus turned to them and said, 'Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children.
For look, the days are surely coming when people will say, "Blessed are those who are barren, the wombs that have never borne children, the breasts that have never suckled!"
Then they will begin to say to the mountains, "Fall on us!"; to the hills, "Cover us!"
For if this is what is done to green wood, what will be done when the wood is dry?'
Now they were also leading out two others, criminals, to be executed with him. When they reached the place called The Skull, there they crucified him and the two criminals, one on his right, the other on his left.
Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.' Then they cast lots to share out his clothing.
The people stayed there watching. As for the leaders, they jeered at him with the words, 'He saved others, let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.'
The soldiers mocked him too, coming up to him, offering him vinegar, and saying, 'If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.'
Above him there was an inscription: 'This is the King of the Jews'.
One of the criminals hanging there abused him: 'Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us as well.'
But the other spoke up and rebuked him. 'Have you no fear of God at all?' he said. 'You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong.'
Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'
He answered him, 'In truth I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.'
It was now about the sixth hour and the sun's light failed, so that darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.
The veil of the Sanctuary was torn right down the middle.
Jesus cried out in a loud voice saying, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' With these words he breathed his last.
When the centurion saw what had taken place, he gave praise to God and said, 'Truly, this was an upright man.'
And when all the crowds who had gathered for the spectacle saw what had happened, they went home beating their breasts.
All his friends stood at a distance; so also did the women who had accompanied him from Galilee and saw all this happen.
These are Gospel writer Luke’s words, and we respond, “Thanks be to God!”
Gospel Acclamation: Spirit of the Living God:
https://youtu.be/nkATdLfKufE
Homily Starter and Community Sharing
Communal Statement of Faith
Suzanne and ALL: Together let us profess our Faith.
We believe in our Creator who has not forgotten us, rather is ever and always present with us.
We believe in Jesus, the Word incarnate, who journeyed on the earth, blessing the sick, making whole the broken, healing many, instilling faith in his followers so that they may continue the work He began.
We believe in Christ, the everlasting Presence in our world in our universe.
We believe in the Spirit of Life, the breath of wisdom Sophia, who stays present and real to us during this great human struggle we face today and in the days ahead.
We believe in the communion of saints, our heavenly friends who walk with us in love as we continue our life journey.
We believe in one another and our individual and collective response to being diligent in following the directives given by medical professionals at this time.
We believe in the partnership and equality of women and men in our Church and our world. Here we live our prophetic call of Gospel equality.
We believe that 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.
Suzanne: We pray that the Holy One renew in our hearts our commitment to journey always in faith and hope as we reach out and support, comfort and love those closest to us, those who live in our country and all the people of the earth.
Prayers of and for the Community
Jerry: We now bring our prayer intentions to the Table, saying, “I bring to the Table…”
Our response is: May our words bring healing.
We pray for all those suffering, or will be suffering, as a result of those in charge in our government.
Response: May our words bring healing.
We pray for all who are suffering, lonely, and without faith or hope. Response: May our words bring healing.
We pray for all those living in the conditions of war and fear.
Response: May our words bring healing.
We pray for all those suffering from natural disasters throughout our world.
Response: May our words bring healing.
We pray for the intentions in our MMOJ community prayer list. (Joan shares)
Response May our words bring healing.
And, for what else should we pray?
Response: May our words bring healing.
Jerry: Holy Mystery may we respond to the needs of our sisters and brothers in loving prayer and solidarity. Amen
Eucharistic Prayer
Kathryn: Gracious Wisdom, you embrace us with your extravagant affection in our times of both blessedness and weakness. Even though we have times of doubt, we know 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 as we sing,
Holy, Holy, Holy: Here In This Place by Christopher Grundy
https://youtu.be/sgkWXOSGmOQ
Maryal: 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.
Suzanne: 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.
Kathryn: 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]
Maryal: 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.
Maryal: 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..)
Maryal 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.
COMMUNION RITE
The Prayer of Jesus
Jerry: Let us pray as Jesus taught us.
Jerry and All:
Holy One beyond all names
Eternal Wellspring
May love rise again in us today
With food for every table
Shelter for every family
And reverence for every life.
Forgive us our failings in love
And free us from all falseness
That the light of our souls may shine
And the strength of our spirits endure
For Earth and all its people
This day, tonight, and forever.
Amen
-John Philip Newell
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.”
Maryal: Please join in praying the Litany for the Breaking of the Bread:
Maryal 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.
Kathryn: This is the bread of life and the cup of blessing. Blessed are we who are called to Christ’s table.
Kathryn: Please receive/share Eucharist now, saying: “You are the bread of life.” And “You are the cup of compassion.”
Communion Song: The Servant Song
https://youtu.be/SIhhxhPOwfc?si=-eX6ANTjQD7lL2Kp
Introductions/Thanksgiving/Announcements
Closing Community Blessing
Kathryn and ALL:P With hand extended in prayer:
Peace before us, Peace behind us, Peace under our feet
Peace within us, Peace over us, Let all around us be Peace.
Love before us, Love behind us, Love under our feet
Love within us, Love over us, Let all around us be Love.
Christ before us, Christ behind us, Christ under our feet,
Christ within us, Christ over us, Let all around us be Christ!
Maryal: Go in the peace of Christ. Let us bring God’s reign of peace and compassion to all those we meet. All: Thanks be to God.
Closing Song: I’m Still Standing by Carrie Newcomer (video by Mary Theresa Streck)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tds4ROHz5o
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.net where the day’s liturgy is found. Zoom instructions are also included there.