Upper Room Inclusive Catholic Community August 1, 2026, Liturgy Sophia Wisdom Presider: Julie Corron

Zoom:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82512159155  phone-in for (audio only).Phone Number: (646) 558-865

Welcome: Welcome to you all! I’m so happy to be with you here today as we celebrate liturgy together.

Opening Prayer: Let us pray. Holy One, quiet our minds so that we can find your peace within us. In that peace, let wisdom grow. AMEN

 

Opening Song: Quiet Place by the Many – video by MT Streck

https://youtu.be/hcq385i1kHE

 

LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading

A Reading from the Prophet Isaiah 55:1-3 

 

You who are thirsty! 

     Come to the water! 

You who have no money! 

     Come! Buy, and eat! 

Come! Buy wine and milk, 

     without money, without price! 

Why spend your money for that which is not bread, 

     your wages for that which fails to satisfy? 

 

Listen to me.  Listen well, and you will eat well. 

You will delight in rich fare.

Incline your ear and come to me. 

Listen, that you may live, for my words give life. 

I will make an everlasting covenant with you, 

     sealed in my love,  

      - my love which is steadfast, sure, and enduring. 

These are the inspired words of an Isaian prophet, and the community affirms them by saying AMEN.

 

Gospel Acclamation:  Celtic Alleluia by Christopher Walker – MT Video

https://youtu.be/4cs8NDVM3Vk

Gospel: A Reading from the Gospel attributed to Matthew 14:13-21 

When Jesus heard that John the Baptizer had been beheaded at Herod's banquet, and how it had taken place, he took a boat and withdrew to a deserted place by himself.  Hearing of Jesus' whereabouts, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus went ashore, he saw the great crowd and he had compassion for them and cured those who were sick.   

When evening came, the disciples came to Jesus and said, “This is a deserted place, and it’s getting late.  Send the crowds away so they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”  

Jesus responded “They needn’t go away.  You give them something to eat.”  The disciples replied, “We have only five loaves and two fish.”  Jesus said, “Bring the loaves and fish to me.”  Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass.  Taking the five loaves and the two fish, Jesus looked to the heavens, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples.  The disciples then gave them to the crowds.  All ate and were filled.  The disciples gathered what was left of the broken pieces of bread, twelve baskets full.  Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting the women and children. 

These are the inspired words of the anonymous storyteller we call Matthew, and the community affirms them by saying AMEN.

Homily Starter—Julie: Do you remember back a few decades ago when Bring Your Daughter to Work Day started? It was cast as a way to show girls more of the world of work, to make up for decades, centuries, of sexism and gendered career choices. But it didn’t take long, maybe 10 years, for it to get rebranded as Bring Your Child to Work Day and for the boys to pile in. I remember a coworker grumbling about that, about the girls getting lost in the shuffle.

Turns out that there are scholars out there who worry that the same thing will happen to Sophia Wisdom, the feminine face of Wisdom. From the Inclusive Lectionary’s commentary,

Some scholars interpret Jesus, especially in “Matthew’s” gospel, as Wisdom personified.  Other scholars, while recognizing that Matthew’s Jesus embodies the religious wisdom of his time, are reluctant to say Jesus personifies Wisdom, since that involves the replacement of a strong female Biblical image of the Holy with yet another male image.

Yet another male image. Oof. There are certainly plenty of male images in Christianity. Even in our first reading, I don’t hear a strongly feminine voice in Wisdom inviting us to partake of her life sustaining food, her life sustaining voice. Although if you’re hungry, I don’t know that it makes much difference who’s providing the food. Still, after millennia of women from Mary of Magdala to Thecla and all the unnamed women in scripture being erased, discredited, and scratched out of artwork, it’s hard to sign Wisdom over to Jesus. He’s already got a lot, right? For myself, I really, really want to keep Wisdom with Sophia and compassionate love with Jesus. As if we can really divvy up the Holy! But I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Which is to say, what would you like to share about today’s readings?

Statement of Faith

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.

 

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

 

Prayers of the Community

 

As we prepare for the sacred meal, we bring to this table our blessings, cares and concerns. Please feel free to voice your concerns beginning with the words “I bring to the table….”

 

We pray for these and all the unspoken concerns held in the silence of our hearts. AMEN

Eucharistic Prayer

O Holy One, you have birthed us in goodness, gifted us with life and cherished us in love.

In the heart of our being, your Spirit dwells; a Spirit of courage and vision, a Spirit of wisdom and truth. 

In the power of that same Spirit, we lift our hearts in prayer, invoking anew the gift of wisdom and enlightenment, that we may continue to praise and thank you, in union with all who sing the ancient hymn of praise: 

 

Holy, Holy, Holy:  Here In This Place – New

https://youtu.be/uXyu57tR2gk

 

Holy One, 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, your creatures, often deviate from that wisdom, thus hindering your creative presence in our midst. 
 
Sending among us Jesus, our brother, you birth afresh in our world the power of Sophia-Wisdom, and in the gift of Your Spirit, your creative goodness blooms anew, amid the variety and wonder of life. 
 

(Extend hands in blessing.)  

 
We invoke Your Spirit upon the gifts of this Eucharistic table, bread of the grain and wine of the grape, that they may become gifts of wisdom, light and truth which remind us of our call to be the body of Christ to the world. 

 

On the night before he faced his own death and for the sake of living fully, Jesus sat at supper with his companions and friends. He reminded them of all that he taught them, and to fix that memory clearly within them, he bent down and washed their feet.

 

(Lift the bread)

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. Go and love one another.

 

(Lift the cup)

He then raised high 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.

 

What we have heard with our ears, we will live with our lives,
As we share communion, we will become communion
Both Love’s nourishment and Love’s challenge.

 

In faith and hope we are sustained; in grace and dignity reclaimed. In praise, we thank you. 
 
Please receive communion with the words: I am wise.

 

Communion Meditation: Come to the Water by John Foley, SJ

https://youtu.be/_FMuokL8tZc

Prayer after communion: Let us pray. Like Jesus, we will open up wide all that has been closed about us, and we will live compassionate lives, for it is through living as Jesus lived, that we awaken to your Spirit within, moving us to glorify you, O Holy One, at this time and all ways. AMEN.

 

Prayer of Jesus

 

Let us pray as Jesus taught us: 

 

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 that 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.  
Adapted by Miriam Therese Winter 

 

BLESSING

 

Please raise your hands as we bless each other:

 

May we shine like the face of God to each other. May we honor our own wisdom. May we be a blessing in our time! AMEN

 

Closing Song: Shine—Dolly Parton

https://youtu.be/8e-Ip9RagkU?si=4kmNB8rssnFmKvGA

 

"Shine"

Give me a word
Give me a sign
Show me where to look
Tell me what will I find?
What will I find?

Lay me on the ground
Or fly me in the sky
Show me where to look
Tell me what will I find?
What will I find?

Chorus
Whoa. Heaven, let your light shine down
Whoa. Heaven, let your light shine down
Whoa. Heaven, let your light shine down
Whoa. Heaven, let your light shine down

Love is in the water
Love is in the air
Show me where to look
Tell me will love be there?
Will love be there?

Teach me how to speak
Teach me how to share
Teach me where to go
Tell me will love be there?
Will love be there?

Chorus

Give me a word
Give me a sign
Show me where to look
Tell me what will I find?
What will I find?

Lay me on the ground
Or fly me in the sky
Show me where to look
Tell me what will I find?
What will I find?

Chorus

I'm gonna let it shine, I'm gonna let it shine
Heaven, send a light. Let it shine on me
Hey, yeah, hey, yeah
Heaven, send a light. Let it shine on me

(Shine) Shine on me. Hey, hey, yeah-hey-yeah
(Shine) Well, come on and shine

Upper Room Inclusive Catholic Community August 2, 2026 Kathie Ryan, Presider Suzanne DeFroy, Phillis Sheppard – Zoom Presiders (Liturgy prepared by Dennis)

Zoom:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82512159155  phone-in for (audio only).Phone Number: (646) 558-865

Peace Prayer

 

Welcome: We gather today to reflect on the Parable of the Loaves and Fishes, recognizing the call of Jesus to be mindful of those in need of sustenance. Let us remember that all are called to come to the water to be fed and nourished in the grace of the Divine.

 

Opening Song: At This Table by Idina Menzel video by Denise 

https://youtu.be/n9Xf4cHOcwQ

 

Opening Prayer:  

 

Holy Mystery, be in our midst today as we open our hearts and mind to your ever-giving love for those who hunger for love, for faith, and for sustenance. May we, like Jesus, bring the Bread of Life to all those who cross our paths. Amen. 

 

LITURGY OF THE WORD

 

First Reading: A reading from the Hebrew text of the Prophet Isaiah (Is. 55:1-3)

Thus says the LORD:
All you who are thirsty,
come to the water!
You who have no money,
come, receive grain and eat;
Come, without paying and without cost,
drink wine and milk!
Why spend your money for what is not bread;
your wages for what fails to satisfy?
Heed me, and you shall eat well,
you shall delight in rich fare.
Come to me heedfully,
listen, that you may have life.
I will renew with you the everlasting covenant,
the benefits assured to David.

 

These are the inspired words from the Hebrew text of the Prophet Isaiah and we affirm them with, Amen.

 

Second Reading: Giver of All Good Gifts by Walter Brueggeman (edited by Dennis)

You are the God who feeds and nourishes

You are the God who assures that we have more than enough,

And we do not doubt that you satisfy the desire of every living thing.

 

Even in such an assurance, however, we scramble for more food,

After we have filled all our baskets with manna we seek a surplus –

Enough education to plan ahead, enough power to protect our supply,

Enough oil to assure that protection.

 

And in the midst of that comes your word, that we share bread and

Feed the hungry, even to the least and so to you.

We mostly keep our bread for ourselves, our neighbors, and our friends.

 

Until we remember that you are the giver of all good gifts,

Ours to enjoy, our to share.

 

Stir us by your Spirit beyond fearful accumulation toward outrageous

Generosity, that giving bread to others, makes for peace,

That giving drink to others makes for justice,

That giving and sharing opens the world and assures abundance for all.

 

Feed us till we want no more!

 

These are the inspired words of Walter Brueggeman, and we affirm them with Amen.

 

Prayers for a Privileged People, Walter Brueggeman, 2008, Abingdon Press

 

Gospel Acclamation: More Light by Christopher Grundy video by MTStreck 

https://youtu.be/a8XaUlqb8t0

 

Gospel: A reading from the anonymous Gospel author known as Luke (Lk. 9:10-17)

 

Taking them with him, he retreated to the town of Bethsaida where they could be by themselves. But when the crowd found out, they followed him. Jesus welcomed the crowd and spoke to them about the reign of God, and healed all who were in need of healing. As sunset approached, the Twelve came and said to Jesus, “Dismiss the crowd, so they can go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and food, for this is a remote and isolated area.” Jesus answered them, “Give them something to eat yourselves!” The disciples replied, “We have nothing but five loaves and two fish. Or do you want us to go and buy food for all these people?” There were about five thousand gathered. Jesus said to the disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of fifty or so.” They did so and got them all seated. Then, taking the five loaves and two fishes, Jesus raised his eyes to heaven, said a blessing over them, broke them and gave them to the disciples for distribution to the crowd. They all ate until they were satisfied and, when the leftovers were collected, there were twelve baskets full.

 

Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible: The First Egalitarian Translation (p. 680). Bloomsbury Publishing. Kindle Edition.

 

These are the inspired writings of the author known as Luke and we affirm them with, Amen. 

 

Shared Homily

The story of the Feeding the Multitude is one that we hear every year, and yet, there are things I discovered in preparing this liturgy that I did not know. Did you know that in both Mark and Matthew there are actually two Feeding the Multitude stories. They are just a couple of chapters apart, with the second one occurring after Jesus and the disciples cross the Sea of Galilee. Why the two? According to various scripture scholars it’s because in one Jesus is feeding the people on the Jewish side of the sea, and the other he is feeding Gentiles. It is the way the two authors are sharing with their respective faith communities that Jesus feeds all people.

 

The second thing I discovered is that based on which of the four Gospels your reading, there are either 5,000 or 4,000 people fed, with a changing number of loaves and fishes. In some it’s five, in others it’s 7 loaves, and the fish are either two or a few. In the Gospel of John it is a young boy who has the loaves and the fishes, while all the others say the disciples provide them.  And each story ends with 7 or 12 baskets of bread being gathered.

 

Bishop John Shelby Spong shares that these numbers would have had meaning to those hearing the stories back in first century Israel. The number 5 refers to the five books of the Torah and five books of Moses. Seven refers to the seven nations of Gentiles, a way to acknowledge the feeding of all people. And twelve would point to the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 sons of Jacob. The idea here is to connect Jesus to Jewish history, especially the story of manna in the desert, in which everyone, each morning, eat to their fill

 

This idea comes from both Spong and John T Squires, another biblical scholar, that the story is actually a parable. In each case the disciples come to Jesus saying that the people have to be sent away, since they do not have enough food or the money to purchase enough food. Jesus balks at this and says, “feed them yourselves”, and asks what food they do have.  He then takes what they offer, raises his eyes to heaven, blesses the loaves and fishes, breaks them and offers them to the disciples to distribute. Might you hear the similar language to the Last Supper in those words, ‘take, blessed, broke, offered’. Jesus, as he does so often, uses an opportunity to open the eyes of the disciples to be of service to the people and trust in God. The message of the parable and the lesson for those hearing the story is to, unlike the disciples, recognize the situation and trust that God will provide what is needed, if only, as Jesus does, pray for assistance allowing him to feed them, and not send them away hungry.

 

Our first reading from Isaiah supports this with the repeating word, “Come”, no matter what, come and receive without cost what is needed and be blessed. And the second reading from Walter Brueggeman challenges us to feed the hungry without a second thought. Don’t put you or your family or neighbors first, and then feed the hungry. Don’t consider it once you feel you have enough, then share your bread. He states,

“Generosity, that giving bread to others, makes for peace,

that giving drink to others makes for justice,

that giving and sharing opens the world and assures abundance for all.”

 

This is our call, to feed the hungry in our midst, whatever that hunger might be. 

Please share your thoughts on what you read or heard.

 

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

 

Prayers of the Community

As we prepare for the sacred meal, we bring to this table our blessings, cares and concerns. Please feel free to voice your concerns beginning with the words “I bring to the table….”

 

We pray for these, and all the unspoken blessings, cares, and concerns held in the silence of our hearts. AMEN

 

Eucharistic Prayer

(by Diarmuid O’Murchu, modified by Kathie & Dennis)

 

Please join in praying the Eucharistic Prayer

God of life, you nurture and sustain your people.
You bless us with abundance; you gift us with your graciousness;
you know our every need.

In the birthing forth of creation you call us into being.
You gift us with health and wholeness; you sustain our every endeavor.
You feed your hungering people.

You call us to work for justice, to share our table with all creation,
to feed the needy at our door, to see nobody left in need.

For the blessing of your gifts, and the challenge of your call to us,
we lift our voices as we acclaim in song your gracious love:

Holy, Holy:  Here In This Place by Christopher Grundy

https://youtu.be/uXyu57tR2gk

 

The table we share is adorned with the gifts of creation,
gifts given for all to share in equality and justice, a table where all are welcome,
and from which nobody is to be excluded, from the greatest even to the least.

We celebrate the open table, proclaimed by Jesus, our brother,
a table of abundant life, inclusive love, and redemptive liberation.

Awaken anew in our hearts the empowering grace of your abundant Spirit, who infuses these gifts of bread and wine with the transforming energy of life, to nourish and sustain us in our time of need.

 

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 them, and to fix that memory clearly with them, he bent down and washed their feet.

In the power of the creative Spirit, Jesus lived life to the full.
We, too, are blessed in the power of that same Spirit, which we now invoke upon all gathered here, to celebrate the transformative energy symbolized in our gifts of bread and wine, given to nourish and sustain us into the fullness of life.

That same bread, Jesus took and broke, to restore the unity of our broken world. Jesus blessed you, then he shared the bread with those at table saying:

 

Take and eat the Bread of Life for all who hunger for peace and justice.

 

pause

 

After the meal, he then raised the cup of blessing poured in a spirit of solidarity and empowerment, spoke the grace, and offered them the wine saying:

 

Take and drink the Cup of Compassion for a broken world.

 

pause

We share this bread and cup to proclaim and live the gospel of justice and peace. We choose to live justly, love tenderly, and walk with integrity.

Receive the Bread of Life and the Cup of Compassion with the words, You are Bread for

The World

 

Communion Meditation: Until All are Fed by Bryan McFarland 

https://youtu.be/RkwSHYlf9TQ

 

Post-Communion Prayer

In celebrating this Eucharistic feast, we call to mind that we are nourished throughout the ages; and we look forward in hope to that day when justice will guarantee food for all who hunger for the fullness of life.

With grateful hearts we received the gifts of this table.
May the creative Spirit who energizes these gifts,
activate in our hearts, too, a hunger for that justice
that will guarantee sustenance for every human being.

In the spirit of this celebration, we rejoice and are thankful for all we have received; but we do so in the painful awareness of all who are excluded from the table of God’s abundant life.

Awaken in us a passion for equality and generosity of spirit, that all may be welcomed to the table of abundance.

Prayer of Jesus

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 that 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. 

(adapted by Miriam Therese Winter)

 

BLESSING

 

Please extend your hands and pray our blessing:

Let us go in peace to spread the Good News that all are deserving of basic human rights, including to be fed and clothed. May we recognize our call to be the Body of Christ in the world, bringing the message of love and compassion to a world in need of healing and reconciliation. Amen.

 

Closing Song: Go Make a Difference by Steve Angrisano & Tom Tomaszek

https://youtu.be/WDjQEoItGzQ?si=8KovOEhYcpHRQ8_W

 

Resources:

Biblical Hermeneutics (Website): Why does Mark provide two feeding accounts?

John Shelby Spong: Biblical Literalism – A Gentile Heresy

John T. Squires – An Informed Faith (Website): Nothing but five loaves and two fish

Upper Room Inclusive Catholic Community Moment of Oneness July 29, 2026 (Prepared by Phillis Sheppard)

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81507551772

Meeting ID: 815 0755 1772
To connect by phone dial: 1-301-715-8592

Opening Prayer:  Prayer of Awareness

Clear our heart, O God, that we may see you. Clear our heart, O God, that we may truly see ourselves. Clear our heart, O God, that we may know the sacredness of this moment and in every moment seek you, serve you, strengthen you as the Living Presence in every presence. Clear our heart, O God, that we may see. (Phillip J. Newell)

 

Music: Oh Lord Remember Me    (Ruth Foster)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6sU_T2XVtLw&list=RD6sU_T2XVtLw&start_radio=1&pp=ygULUnV0aCBmb3N0ZXKgBwE%3D&ra=m

 

Reading I:

Let go of the place that holds,

Let go of the place that flinches,

 Let go of the place that controls,

Let go of the place that fears.

Just let the ground support me.

Listen, the wind is breathing in the trees

Sensing the edge of soft and hard, I follow the unseen path. Walking in the dark night, I practice faith,

Building confidence in the unknown.

Walking in the dark night, I practice courage, accepting the vastness of what I cannot see.   (Stephanie Kaza A Cedary)

 

Silent Meditation

 

Reading II:

And so, the time comes when all the people of the earth can bring their gifts to the fire and look into each other’s faces unafraid.

Breathe deep. Feel the sacred well that is your own breath, and look.

Look at that circle.

See us come from every direction from the four quarters of the earth.

See the lines that stretch to the horizon the procession,

the gifts borne see us feed the fire.

Feel the earth’s life renewed. And the circle is complete again and the medicine wheel is formed anew and the knowledge within each one of us made whole.

Feel the great turning, feel the change the new life runs through your blood like fire and all of nature rises with it greening, burgeoning, bursting into flower….

 

Reading III:

This is the story we like to tell ourselves. In the night.

When the labor is too hard and goes on too long.

When the fire seems nothing but dying embers winking out, we say we remember a time when we were free.

We say that we are free, still, and always. And the pain we feel is that of labor.

And the cries we hear are those of birth.

And so, you come to the fire where the old ones sit.

You are young just on the edge of ripening.

They are ancient— their faces lined with spiderwebs of wrinkle.

Their faces brown, bronze, cream, black

their eyes are wells of memory.

They say, Listen child. For this is your night of passage. And it is time to learn Your history.

 

Tonight, you will run free, out into the wild. Fearing only the spirit of your own power. (Starhawk)

 

Silent Meditation

 

Closing blessing

May the blessing of rain be on you, the soft sweet rain.

May it fall upon your spirit so that small flowers may spring up and shed their sweetness in the air.

May the blessing of the great rains be on you to beat upon your spirit and wash it clean; and leave there many a shining pool where the blue of heaven shines, and sometimes a star.

May the blessing of the earth be on you, the great round earth; may you ever have a kindly greeting for people as you’re going along the roads.

And now may God bless you and bless you kindly. Amen

(Celtic oral tradition, Wales, England, Ireland, and Scotland)

Upper Room Inclusive Catholic Community Liturgy, Saturday July 25 and Sunday, July 26, 2026 Presider: Denise Hackert-Stoner

 

Zoom:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82512159155  phone-in for (audio only).Phone Number: (646) 558-865

Welcome as we gather to remember the women who followed and supported Jesus in his ministry. 

 

Opening Prayer:  Holy One, we gather today to remember Mary Magdalene and the sisterhood of women who followed and supported Jesus.  May their faithful and courageous witness to his life, death, and resurrection inspire us to act with courage and to remain faithful to his teachings.

 

Opening Song:  Standing Stone by Melanie DeMore video by MTStreck 

https://youtu.be/Rq8umgc8MT4

 

LITURGY OF THE WORD

 

First Reading:  A reading from The Gospel of Mary 4:33-39, 5:1-4 (modified by Denise for inclusive language)

 

When the Blessed One had said this, He greeted them all, saying, Peace be with you. Receive my peace unto yourselves.

Beware that no one lead you astray saying Lo here or lo there! For the Holy One is within you.

Follow!

Those who seek will find the Holy One.

Go then and preach the gospel of the Kin-dom.

Do not lay down any rules beyond what I appointed you, and do not give a law like the lawgiver lest you be constrained by it.

When He said this, He departed.

But they were grieved. They wept greatly, saying, how shall we go to the Gentiles and preach the gospel of the Kin-dom of the Holy One? If they did not spare Jesus, how will they spare us?

Then Mary stood up, greeted them all, and said to her brothers and sisters, do not weep and do not grieve nor be irresolute, for Grace will be entirely with you and will protect you.

But rather, let us praise the greatness of our teacher, for he has prepared us and made us into brave men and women.

When Mary said this, she turned their hearts to the Good, and they began to discuss the words of Jesus.

 

These are the words of a faithful ancestor.  We affirm these words with Amen.

 

Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia by Jan Phillips 

https://youtu.be/IC4nbwmQDVw

 

Gospel: A reading from the Gospel writer known as Luke (Lk 8:1-3)  

 

Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. 

 

These are the words of a writer we know as Luke.  We affirm them with Amen.

 

Homily Starter:

Welcome to the feast of Mary Magdalene.  From a gospel point of view, Mary is an enigma.  She is mentioned by name 13 times in the canonical gospels, more than any other woman except Mary the mother of Jesus.  But not much detail is given about her.  Current research suggests that she might have been the sister of Lazarus. Some people suggest she might have been the woman with the alabaster jar who anointed the feet of Jesus.  For centuries she was falsely labeled as a contrite harlot.  Writers of fiction have suggested a romantic relationship between her and Jesus.  But, for today I’d like to begin with what we know of her from the gospels.

Our gospel reading today describes Mary as part of a group of women of means who supported Jesus’s ministry, both financially and as traveling companions.  

We learn in all of the gospels that Mary, along with a whole group of women remained faithful to Jesus right through to his crucifixion.  And it was these women who were first among the disciples to witness the resurrected Christ.  (Matthew, Mark and Luke all recount at least one other woman with Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb. Luke describes a group of an unspecified number of women, but more than 3)

In our first reading, from the gospel that is named for her, Mary is painted as a strong woman of authority among the disciples, able to bolster their courage and fan the fading embers of their faith during their darkest hours after the death of Jesus.

So, that’s what we know.  But from that slim foundation, what can we imagine? 

I imagine a group of first-century women.  Women who had their own money.  Some may have been widows, who would have had access to their marriage dowry after the death of their husbands.  Perhaps they had some other type of inheritance, as some women did, even when males were more favored in this regard.  They may have earned money by running small businesses where they would sell home-made goods.  I imagine them to be single women because they seem free to follow Jesus in his traveling ministry.  In my mind they are a friend group with the common goal of wanting to support this traveling preacher whose message they clearly love.  Mary is one of them.  Some of the others are Joanna (wife of Herod's steward), Susanna, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and Salome.  They were probably among many more, un-named women who were actively involved in the ministry of Jesus.  

We don’t know about the specific roles these women played in the ministry, but they did support it financially, and traveled with it as well, so they were clearly important members and faithful disciples. 

By far, the most striking thing about these women is their courage.  They invested so much more than money in this ministry.  Their support was personal.  Along with the male disciples, these women were there through all the traveling; they marveled at the teachings of Jesus, his healings, his story-telling, his vision of the Kin-dom.  And unlike the men, when things went south, and their dear teacher was arrested, they did not abandon him.  They stayed.  Through his trial, through his torture, and up to his death, they stayed as witnesses.  And even after his death, they were there to tend to the body they never found.  And when their brother disciples shook with fear for what might be coming for them, Mary herself spoke her truth and reminded them that their beloved teacher had given them all the gift of courage.  

I think that these women show us what faith is.  If we believe in a cause, a way of life, a ministry, we invest in it.  We give from our means, and we give of our time. we don’t run away when others turn against it. From them, these women from so long ago, we learn how to be brave.

So, we turn to Mary Magdalene and her sister followers today, with admiration and gratitude, for staying, for witnessing, and for reporting what they witnessed to others.  It is because of them that we are heirs to their faith in the teacher from Galilee.

What did you hear in today’s readings?  Please share your wisdom.

 

Statement of Faith 

 

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. 

 

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

 

Prayers of the Community

 

As we prepare for the sacred meal, we voice our intentions beginning with the words, “We bring to the table…..”  

We pray for these and all unspoken intentions. Amen.  

 

Eucharistic Prayer

 

Please join in praying the Eucharistic prayer together:  

 

O Holy One, you have birthed us in goodness, gifted us with life and cherished us in love. In the heart of our being, your Spirit dwells; a Spirit of courage and vision, a Spirit of wisdom and truth. 

 

Throughout the ages you have placed guides before us, guides who with their very lives showed us the way to your Kin-dom.  We give thanks today for the women who followed our brother Jesus, who aided him in his ministry, who witnessed his suffering and death, and who were the first witnesses to his continued presence among them. 
 

With these women of faith and courage, and all who have come before, we lift our hearts in prayer.  We invoke the gift of wisdom and enlightenment, that we may continue to praise and thank you, in union with all who sing the ancient hymn of praise: 

 

Holy, Holy Holy: Karen Drucker video by Denise 

https://youtu.be/kl7vmiZ1YuI

 

Holy One, we see around us the work of your hands, the generosity of your wisdom and love. The unfolding story of creation speaks unceasingly to your creative power.  We are witnesses to the wealth of that creation which overflows with abundance enough to sustain every one of your creatures.
  

Please extend your hands in blessing.  

 
Holy One, Your Spirit dwells within the gifts of this Eucharistic table, bread of the grain and wine of the grape.  They are gifts of wisdom, light and truth, and remind us of our call to be the body of Christ to the world.  

On the night before he faced his own death, Jesus sat at the Seder supper with his companions and friends.  He reminded them of all that he taught them, and to fix that memory clearly within them, he bent down and washed their feet. 

When he returned to his place at the table, he lifted the Passover bread, spoke the blessing, broke the bread and offered it to them saying:

Take and eat; this is my very self.

He then raised high 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.

What we have heard with our ears, we will live with our lives,

As we share communion, we will become communion

Both Love’s nourishment and Love’s challenge.

 

Please receive communion with the words:  We will remain in courage and faith.

 

Communion Meditation:  Be Still, John McCutcheon

https://youtu.be/ic3LlVs0bjY?si=ySZv_ch8SaQYNM8-

 

Post-Communion Prayer

 

In faith and hope we are sustained; in grace and dignity reclaimed. In praise, we thank you. 

 
May we ever be aware and alert to the new things Your Spirit makes possible in us, as our world unfolds amid pain and beauty, into the fullness of life to which all are called, participating in the wise and wonderful work of co-creation. 
 

Like Jesus, we will open up wide all that has been closed about us, and we will live compassionate lives, for it is through living as Jesus lived, that we awaken to your Spirit within, moving us to glorify you, O Holy One, at this time and all ways. Amen.  

 

Let us pray the prayer Jesus: (Miriam Therese Winter)  

 

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 

 

BLESSING

 

Let us pray together our blessing:

 

May we walk the way of Jesus in the company of courageous women.  May the sisterhood of Mary Magdalene, Susanna, Joanna, and their companions inspire us to take courage and remain faithful.  May we be a blessing in our time.   Amen.

 

Closing Song: Brave, Sara Bareilles  

https://youtu.be/QUQsqBqxoR4?si=Hi-bDYNKNvNbkz5B