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https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82512159155
phone-in for (audio only).Phone Number: (646) 558-8656
Meeting ID: 825 1215 9155
Welcome and Theme: Deb
Today is the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary. In the Catholic Tradition of Mariology, the Assumption is one of the Four Dogmas of the Church’s teachings on Mary, developed into formal decree in the 1900s. We celebrate today here in the Upper Room, Mary as the Teacher of Jesus, the Mother and Supporter of the Early Church, and the Witness with others to Jesus’s presence, life and legacy. May we be like Mary, a supporter, guide and witness for those in our lives.
As we begin, I ask you all to center yourselves where you are. Close your eyes. Take in a deep breath and bring awareness to your body in this space. Feel your feet on the floor and feel the push back of Mother Earth below you. Sink into this awareness as you are connected here on this planet. Take in another deep Breath, Open your Eyes. Jean and I Welcome you to this Celebration of Mary, our Mother.
Opening Song: Ancient Mother by Jan Novotka.
https://youtu.be/PJSBqNoIqsMLITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
After Jesus had been taken up to Heaven, the Apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath’s day journey away.
When they entered the city they went to the upper room where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer together with some women, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
These are writings attributed to Luke, and our community affirms them by saying AMEN.
Alleluia.
Gospel Reading. Luke 1:39-56 (From the New, New Testament)
Mary set out, and made her way quickly into the hill country, to a town in Judah; and there she went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child moved within her, and Elizabeth herself was filled with the holy Spirit and cried aloud: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But how have I this honor, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, as soon as your greeting reached my ears, the child leaped within me with delight! Happy indeed is she who believed that the promise which she received from the Lord would be fulfilled.
And Mary said:
“My soul exalts the Lord, my spirit delights in God my Savior; for he has remembered his humble slave; and from this hour all generations count me happy!
Great things has the Almighty done for me; and holy is his name. From age to age his compassion rests on those who fear him. He has used the power of his arm; he scattered the proud of heart, he overthrew princes from their thrones, and the humble he uplifted, the hungry he has loaded with good things, and the rich he sent away.
He has stretched out his hand to his servant Israel, ever mindful of his mercy (as he promised to our ancestors) for Abraham and his race forever.”
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned to her home.
These are writings attributed to Luke, and our community affirms them by saying AMEN.
Homily Starter. Deb Trees
Mary is celebrated in many ways: as a Queen, Mother of all, and supporter of Jesus and his Spiritual Way. The Church has put Mary on a pedestal, above all other saints. It holds dear the concepts of Mary as Perpetual Virgin, Immaculately Conceived, Assumed into Heaven, and as the Mother of God. These dogmas surrounding Mary are a tall order for any human! And of course, Mary is not equal to a Goddess! She is above the saints, but below a Male Godhead.
Through many centuries, in a patriarchal system both secular and religious, women have been second class citizens, and often considered slaves or owned. Yet The Rose, the sign of Mary, could not be put down. She has consistently popped up in early Christian rites, art in churches, devotions and prayers, and in societies of believers seeing her presence. The Catholic Churches’ “allowance” of her is possibly a realization that her followers will not go away. In The Way of the Rose Strand and Finn note that for thousands of years humans have called her The Great Mother, The Queen of Heaven and Earth, the Star of the Sea, the Mother of Life. She has had other names too: Inanna, Isis, Venus. Her New-Life Celebrations every May were practiced long before two-thousand years ago.
So how can we perpetuate our personal relationship with Mary? As the mother of Jesus I believe that she was his teacher. He learned his sense of social justice, gained his awareness of spirit, and demonstrated love to all from the example of the one who taught him. As parents, it is what we do. In that light, I think of Mary as My teacher, My supporter, My Connection to the Divine. In the face of great adversity, Mary became a leader and teacher to the community left behind trying to follow what Jesus taught them.
How do you think of Mary? If you would like to share, please unmute yourself and then mute again when you are done.
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
Jean: 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.
Intentions read
Deb: We bring these and all deeply held blessings, cares, and concerns to the table of friendship and peace.
With open hands let us pray our Eucharistic Prayer together:
Jean: Holy One, we yearn to be close to you and to live in the embrace of your gentle wisdom. Your divine grace and love lead us away from our anxieties, fears and distractions and toward all that is blessed and joyous.
Each of us is divinely created in Your image. We are precious to you and to each other because of who we are. We are beloved and blessed in your unconditional love, quite apart from how we act or fail to act.
Deb: Thankful for Jesus who treated all of Creation with respect and abundant love, we resolve to follow his example to be a light in the darkness. We recognize Your loving Presence here with us today and always, and we sing:
Holy, Holy, Holy Here in this Place by Chris Grundy
Jean: Dearest Holy One, there are times when we feel scarcity and emptiness even though we know You love us more than our human imagination can grasp. May we have the presence of mind to live in Your love. We strive to see You reflected in every person we meet. Guide us in sharing our gifts and in being open hearted so that we may accept help from others.
We thank you for Jesus, who knew what it was like to be an outsider in occupied and foreign lands. May his presence prompt us to bring gospel kindness and understanding to the divisions and conflicts of our time.
Jean: Please extend your hands in blessing.
We call upon your Spirit that is present in us at this Eucharistic table. We are grateful for the bread and wine that remind us of our call to be the light of Christ to the world.
On the night before he faced betrayal and death, Jesus shared supper with his 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.
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, this is my very self.
Then he took 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.
(pause)
Let us share this bread and cup to proclaim and live the gospel of justice and peace, using the words: “I live the Desires of the Divine in my life.”
Communion Song: Ave Maria. https://youtu.be/sv87obLDUvQ
Post-Communion Prayer
Deb: Holy One, your transforming grace inspires us to follow our consciences and bring comfort to wherever people are in need. We pray for wisdom, patience and persistence to make a difference in our world. We resolve to love as Jesus loved, to discern the better angels of our nature with hearts open to your Spirit. Amen.
Jean: 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
Deb: Blessings to each of us as we go on our way into the world. We bring the beauty and love of the Mother with us. We shine with dignity and caring for ourselves and those around us. We search for ways to support the work of peace and justice as Mary did, living the vision of Jesus with her life. May we always remember she is only a thought away.
Closing Song: You Say, I Believe by Lauren Daigle
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