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Peace Prayer
Welcome: Our task today is to ponder how we respond to the question presented to Jesus in today’s Gospel. Where do our loyalties lay in the mixed-up world of religion and government? As we see a movement to bring a false Christianity more and more into the political and social life of our country, what is our response?
Opening Prayer
Holy Mystery, be present with us this day as we ponder the words brought to us in our readings. Encourage us to listen deeply to those who share their wisdom, and to go forth proclaiming justice and peace for those in our community who are in need of our voices. Amen.
Opening Song: Every Step of the Way by Christopher Grundy
https://youtu.be/Wj0cHXzAGTI?si=ekn8j-8X_B6EzqyF
LITURGY OF THE WORD
Reading 1: A reading from the first letter to the Thessalonians (1:1-5b)
From Paul, Silas And Timothy, To the people of the church in Thessalonica, who belong to Amma God and Jesus the Christ: May grace and peace be yours. We always thank God for all of you and remember you in our prayers. We call to mind before our God and Creator how you are proving your faith by your actions, laboring in love, and showing constancy of hope in Jesus the Christ. We know, sisters and brothers beloved of God, that you have been chosen. Our preaching of the Gospel was not a mere matter of words. It was done in the power of the Holy Spirit and with complete conviction.
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia written by Josh Blakley
https://youtu.be/CnWAjWvArto?si=jhIBHblxqAm2ZmTB
Gospel: A reading from the Gospel named for Matthew (Mt. 22:15-21)
Then the Pharisees went off and began to plot how they might trap Jesus by his speech. They sent their disciples to Jesus, accompanied by sympathizers of Herod, who said, “Teacher, we know you’re honest and teach God’s way sincerely. You court no one’s favor and don’t act out of respect for important people. Give us your opinion, then, in this case. Is it lawful to pay tax to the Roman emperor, or not?” Jesus recognized their bad faith and said to them, “Why are you trying to trick me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin which is used to pay the tax.” When they handed Jesus a small Roman coin, Jesus asked them, “Whose head is this, and whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. At that, Jesus said to them, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, but give to God what is God’s.” When they heard this, they were astonished and went away.
Reading 3: A reading from the works of Bishop John Shelby Spong
Jesus said, “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and render to God what is God’s.” His words suggested that the distinction was clear, that there were no gray areas. That is not the situation today in the United States, where religion has experienced a rebirth of zeal, and seeks to force a particular worldview on the people of this nation. I think the taxes I pay to my government are still the best bargain in my budget. Yes, of course, I am aware that not all of our tax dollars are spent wisely, however, I still believe that the freedom this country provides is worth everything I pay in taxes. If that is what “Render to Caesar” means, then I am prepared to do so and joyfully. There is, however, much more to this admonition than just that. I also believe it is my duty as a Christian to bear a public witness against policies that “Caesar” adopts when these policies violate all that I consider holy. In the Judeo-Christian tradition that is traditionally the role of the prophet. Prophecy has nothing to do with predicting the future; it has everything to do with speaking uncomfortable truth inside the citadels of political power. We owe the “Caesars” in every generation a call to truth when truth is violated; a call to responsibility when incompetence is displayed and a call to morality when evil is rampant. The time has come for us to “Render to Caesar” what is appropriate, what is due to Caesar. The prophetic word of judgment must again be heard in the public arena. The prophets of our day must rise up and speak the ‘Word of God’ to our Caesar.
These are the words of Bishop John Shelby Spong and we affirm them with, Amen.
Shared Homily
In our Gospel today, Jesus is once again confronted by Jewish authorities in an attempt to trap him, thus providing an opportunity to reduce his influence among the people, and set up a way to have him arrested.
As usual in the telling of the story, Jesus recognizes the scheme and turns the tables of the Pharisees.
As we hear from Bishop Spong, Jesus’ saying to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, in this case the coins were the way to pay the tax that had been levied. It had to be paid in the coin bearing Caesar’s head, but which also proclaimed Caesar as Divine. Jesus in adding “give to God, what is God’s”, was delivering the message that God, not Caesar, is the Divine One. What we give to God is living a life that treats the poor and the outcasts with compassion, feeding them, standing up for them, and speaking out for better conditions.
He also points out that it is not just paying the taxes, but giving voice against policies and regulations that negatively impact the lives of people, especially the poor and outcasts.
Reverend Marilyn Pagán-Banks, a UCC minister, said, “Yes, Jesus fed the hungry, and calls for us to do the same. But Jesus also called out systems and structures that kept people hungry and poor.”
Reverand Salvatore Sapienza, also a UCC minister, states that “Jesus was political, breaking bread with women and Tax Collectors was a political act. Healing on the Sabbath was a political act. Turning over tables of exploitation was a political act. Riding into Jerusalem was a political act. Jesus embodied his faith, and this was political.”
We hear from Bishop Spong, “I also believe it is my duty as a Christian to bear a public witness against policies that “Caesar” adopts when these policies violate all that I consider holy. In the Judeo-Christian tradition that is traditionally the role of the prophet. Prophecy has nothing to do with predicting the future; it has everything to do with speaking uncomfortable truth inside the citadels of political power. We owe the “Caesars” in every generation a call to truth when truth is violated; a call to responsibility when incompetence is displayed and a call to morality when evil is rampant.”
As I reflected on this idea of Jesus being political, it made me think of how do you and I bring our faith to the current political world? We stand for justice and are political when we join rallies, when we write postcards, when we fill bins full of food and other necessities, when we speak for the voiceless, when we stand in solidarity with victims. This is how we voice a call to truth to the Caesars of our day.
Paul in our reading from Thessalonians praises them, “you are proving your faith by your actions, laboring in love, and showing constancy of hope in Jesus the Christ.” They were living out the life modeled by Jesus and proclaimed to them by Paul.
We do the same when we live out the clear message that Jesus preached, love your neighbor, love and welcome the stranger, treat all with dignity and respect. When we read the Eucharistic Prayer today, listen carefully. We will read:
“And for all peoples of this earth who have no voice in this,
For the animals that have no voice in this,
For the plants, the trees, the flowers that have no voice in this,
For all who share this earth with us, we pray for peace in their name.”
We are called to speak on their behalf. As our Communion song asks, “who will speak if you don’t, who will speak if we don’t”. Let us continue living as followers of Jesus, speaking as if lives depend on it, because they do.
We welcome you to share your insights on the readings and the homily starter.
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
Presider: As we prepare for this sacred meal, we are aware of our call to serve, and just as Jesus is anointed, so is each of us. We bring to this table our blessings, cares and concerns beginning with the words, I bring to the table.
Intentions read
Presider: We bring these and all deeply held blessings, cares, and concerns to the table of friendship and peace.
Eucharistic Prayer (Eucharistic prayer taken from the work of Diarmuid O’Murchu and Jay Murnane)
Presider: Please join in saying the Eucharistic Prayer
O Holy One, we stand at a critical moment in Earth’s history – a time when humanity must choose its future.
As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future holds both peril and great promise.
May we recognize that, in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms, we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny.
United with our vast universe, with our Mother-Planet and her people everywhere, with one another and You, Holy One, our spirits dance and sing this song of praise:
Holy, Holy, Holy: Here in this Place by Christopher Grundy
We give grateful thanks for those who came before us, for all those who gave from their hearts, who gave from their lives, that there might be a better world, a safer world, a kinder world, we pray for peace in their name.
And for the children, that they may live, that they may have children of their own and that it will go on - this great blossoming that is meant to go on and on – we pray for peace, in their name.
And for all peoples of this earth who have no voice in this,
For the animals that have no voice in this,
For the plants, the trees, the flowers that have no voice in this,
For all who share this earth with us, we pray for peace in their name.
We thank you for our brother, Jesus. He showed us so simply, so tenderly, how the world is in our hands. He had nothing in this world but your love, companions on the journey, and his very self. Together, that was more than enough, and that remains our clarity in the midst of confusion: the miracle of healing, new hope, nurturance, nourishment, liberation, and life.
Presider: Please extend your hands in blessing.
Your Spirit is upon the gifts of this Eucharistic table, bread of the grain and wine of the grape. They are 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 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.
All lift their plate and pray the following:
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, the bread of life for all who hunger for justice and peace.
(pause)
Lift the cup as community prays the following:
Then he took the cup of the covenant, spoke the grace, and offered it to them saying:
Take and drink the Cup of Compassion for a broken world.
Whenever you remember me like this, I am among you.
(pause and drink)
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 the bread and cup with the words, I am/You are the face of the Divine.
Communion Song : Who Will Speak by Marty Haugen
https://youtu.be/kKvAe7FxId8?si=u-T0ka1ERmb7oxIw
Post-Communion Prayer
Presider: Loving Source of All, we have looked for others to save us and to save our world. Yet, we are called, and consecrated and sent into the world to establish justice and show the blessed fulfillment that comes with simplicity and the giving of ourselves in love. We will make new our commitment to the harmony of the original vision of creation.
We will open up wide all that has been closed about us, and our small circles. Like Jesus, in all openness, we will be filled with your own Spirit and renew the face of the earth.
For it is through learning to live as he lived,
And why he lived,
And for whom he lived,
That we awaken to your Spirit within,
Moving us to worship you truly,
O Holy One,
At this time and all time and in all ways.
And we say yes to You!
Prayer of Jesus
Let us pray together the prayer of Jesus:
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
(adapted by Miriam Therese Winter)
BLESSING
Presider: Let us pray together our blessing:
Let us venture forth from this Upper Room filled with courage and compassion, willing to speak truth as prophets of our day, that all may have life and live it more abundantly. Amen
Closing Song: Go Make a Difference by Steve Agrisano
https://youtu.be/Q2vYFN1YNIk?si=N1jvDGuX7KgFw2Ye
