As we approach September, many of us are deeply involved with school planning and readiness.For many young people, the future is unsure – new schools, new instructors, and even safety concerns.We focus this evening on all who are looking toward the next few days and weeks with uncertainty and more than a little anxiety.Tonight, we send blessings and the message that we indeed have everything we need. We send calm and hopeful energy to everyone experiencing transitions of any kind.
A reading from Jeremiah
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Holy One, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Life’s great decisions are all hidden behind a veil that makes it impossible for us to use the results of them.
All choice is crisis in the Chinese sense of the word.It is both danger and opportunity.It is when we see only one of these polarities that we are more than likely to make a bad decision in the choice.
Against danger we must always be prepared.In the face of opportunity, we must never say ‘impossible’.
It isn’t in most cases that we don’t know which road we want to take.It is simply that we waste our lives wanting a guarantee of it.
Indeed, the big decisions in life are hardly ever clear.But one thing is:Life is a series of dilemmas, of options, of conundrums, of possibilities, taken and not taken.Good decision, bad decision, who knows? What makes the difference between them? Only this:It is the values that we bring to the decision making-process and the attitude we take into the living out of them that turn the crossroads into new life.
Crossroads are those moments in life when we get the opportunity – when we have no other choice but to begin again.Indeed, if you come to a fork in the road, take it with an open heart.Trust that the Spirit that brought you this far will not abandon you on the way.
Silent prayer
Closing Blessing
We offer hope and blessings to all students and teachers embarking on new beginnings.
We offer hope and blessings to anyone struggling with tough decisions.
We offer hope and blessings to all who experience loss and loneliness
We offer hope and blessings to all experiencing medical decisions and care
We offer hope and blessings to The Upper Room and all members of our growing community.
We offer hope and blessings to our world – so torn by anger and fear
We offer hope and blessings that our actions will be inspired by the commitment to love and justice for all …Like Molly Brown
Margaret: Welcome to all here present with us today. Suzanne and I invite you to celebrate the gift of humility. We have been told to be humble, but in that humility we are called to be bold and stand up for what we believe. As a church the Upper Room is doing just that.
Opening Prayer:
Suzanne: Let us celebrate the indwelling of our God among us. Divine Spirit, you call us to open our hearts and act to bring peace and justice to our world.Yet, as Mother Theresa reminds us: “Do small things with great love.” We ask your holy blessing on us as we discern what is ours to do.
Opening Song:Go Light Your World(Fountainview Academy)
My dear sisters and brothers: every worthwhile gift, every genuine benefit comes from above, descending from the Creator of the heavenly luminaries, who cannot change and is never in shadow. God willingly gave birth to us with a word spoken in truth, so that we may be, as it were, the first fruits of God’s creatures.
Humbly welcome the word which has been planted in you, because it has power to save you. But act on this word— because if all you do is listen to it, you’re deceiving yourselves.
Pure, unspoiled religion, in the eyes of our Abba God, is this: coming to the aid of widows and orphans when they are in need, and keeping oneself uncontaminated by this world.
These are the inspired words of the writer known as James and the community affirms them by saying AMEN.
Second Reading: A thought from Ruth Bader Ginsberg
“Whatever you choose to do, leave tracks!
That means, don't do it just for yourself.
You will want to leave the world a little better
for your having lived.”
These are the inspired words of Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Supreme Court Justice, Powerhouse and Wisdom figure.The community affirms them by saying AMEN.
Alleluia
Gospel:Luke: 14 1, 7-14
Then Jesus said to the host, “Whenever you give a lunch or dinner, don’t invite your friends or colleagues or relatives or wealthy neighbors. They might invite you in return and thus repay you.No, when you have a reception, invite those who are poor or have physical infirmities or are blind. You should be pleased that they can’t repay you, for you’ll be repaid at the resurrection of the just.
These are the inspired words of the writer known as Luke, and the community affirms them by saying AMEN.
Shared Homily
While Margaret and I were preparing this liturgy, we considered a few different scripture readings and recognized the theme of humility. For many of us, growing up as Catholics, and especially as women, the message was clear – we should embody humility. As Paul admonished in Corinthians, ‘Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission.’Well look what Phillis and Mary Anne did this weekend.Along with a growing number of sister priests, they will surely be ‘speaking up in Church.’ As for being submissive, they are standing on the shoulders of so many bold and prophetic women, often hidden in our faith tradition.
In the first reading, James invites us to humbly welcome the word that is planted in us.In this welcoming, we open our hearts to respond to the call that is distinctly ours. The phrase: “if all you do is listen…” jumped out at me.It is ours to do to determine our call to be love in the world.That call will be different in each of us, yet the invitation to respond is clear.
Luke puts our response to our call into perspective.Focus time and energy on the marginalized; the others will typically do just fine. It is up to us to follow our hearts. Perhaps we are called to literally serve the hungry, or to spend time in deep prayer that their needs be met. Or maybe what is ours to do involves being present to a person struggling with the decision to come out, knowing they will be ostracized – or worse - by family and by friends. You all know the great needs in our world and our awareness of our call to act is as different as we are.
When I first entered seminary, our spiritual director asked us to identify what breaks our heart.After each of us stood and responded, she paused and said ‘That is where your call lies.’
Mary Anne and Phillis have boldly responded to their calls. Further, an awareness of others who listen to the call of their hearts can energize and awaken in us a renewed commitment to act.
I am always amazed at the goodness of the people in the South End of Albany. They live in a food desert, yet right now an old McDonald's is being transformed by a group of people who live there. They had a Farmer's Market just last week bringing fresh produce to this desert.The store itself will open December 26th after a huge transformation. It will bring glorious food to the people of the South End.
I welcome your thoughts on the readings and what they have awakened in you.If you are on zoom, please remember to unmute yourself and then re-mute when you are finished sharing.
Margaret:Let us join together to share our statement of faith.
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
(Written by Jay Murnane)
Suzanne: 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 prayers for the community.Please state your intention beginning with the words “I bring to the table.”
We pray for these and all unspoken intentions. Amen.
Margaret: Please join in praying the Eucharistic prayer together:
All: Blessed are you, Holy One, source of all creation. Through your goodness you made this world and called us to be Your co-creators. We give thanks for the diversity and beauty of life around us and within us.
We open our awareness to the goodness of all of creation and we remember our responsibility to serve. You invite us to build the earth into a community of love rooted in justice. You placed confidence in us, for you made us and you know that we are good.
In joy and in thanksgiving we join with all the faithful servants who have gone before us and we sing:
Holy, Holy, Holy: Here in this Place by Christopher Grundy https://youtu.be/sgkWXOSGmOQ
ALL: We thank you for Jesus, simple servant, lifting up the lowly, revealing you as God-With-Us, and revealing us as one with you and all of creation.
He lived among us to show us who we are and challenged us to know you. He taught us the strength of compassionate love.
Please extend your hands in blessing.
We are grateful for your Spirit at our Eucharistic Table and for this bread and wine which reminds us of our call to be the body of Christ in the world.
On the night before he died, Jesus gathered for supper with the people closest to him. Like the least of household servants, he washed their feet, so that they would re-member him.
All lift their plates and pray the following:
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.
(pause)
All lift their cups and pray the following:
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)
All: What we have heard with our ears, we will live with our lives. As we share communion, we become Communion - both love’s nourishment and love’s challenge.You are called, consecrated, and chosen to serve.
Please share Communion with the words: “ I see the Divine in you.”
Communion Song:Follow Your Heart’s Desire (Jan Phillips)
Suzanne: Holy One, we are willing to do everything Jesus did, to re-create the living presence of a love that does justice, of a compassion that heals and liberates, of a joy that generates hope, of a light that illumines people and confronts the darkness of every injustice and inequity.
We trust you to continue to share with us your own spirit, the spirit that animated Jesus, for it is through his life and teaching, all honor and glory is yours, O Holy One, forever and ever. Amen.
All: Amen.
Margaret: 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
Suzanne:Let us raise our hands in blessing pray together:
Holy One, hold us, envelop us in compassion because we are not yet who you made us to be. Illuminate our circle of life with the wisdom and nurturing we need, so that we may see and respond to what is ours to do. Amen.
Picture of Mary, as per the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary celebrated in August.
In the Name of Peace and Love and Grace. Amen.(The Sign of Protection and Love, The Companions Rosary, 2019)
Opening Prayer:
Welcome to each of you as we gather this evening, (or whenever, wherever you are sharing this prayerful time.) Earlier in this month of August, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was celebrated in the calendar of the Roman Catholic tradition.
Mary of Nazareth was so much more than we can imagine. The fact that we still honor her life and presence with us is critical to our understanding of Jesus. She was a Leader, a Teacher, a Follower, and a Companion. Today, in our own way, let us remember her.
(Reading from Emotional Sobriety, Rewiring our Programs for Happiness, Center for Action and Contemplation. Richard Rohr, 2011.)
Much of the work of emotional maturity is learning to distinguish between emotions that offer a helpful message about ourselves or the moment, and emotions that are merely narcissistic reactions to the moment. I dare to say that, until we have found our spiritual center and ground, most of our emotional responses are usually too self-referential to be helpful or truthful. They read the moment as if the “I,” with its immediate needs and hurts, is the reference point for objective truth. It isn’t. The small, defensive “I” cannot hold that space.
Reality/God/Creation holds that space. Persistent use of the small self as an objective reference point will only create deeper problems in the long run; it will not solve them.
If an emotion does not help us read a situation better and more truthfully, we must let it go—for our own well-being. Most of us are naturally good at attachment, but we have very little training in detachment or letting go. We must take the risk of legitimate attachment (fully feeling the emotion), learn its important message, and then have the presence and purpose to detach from that fascinating emotion after it has done its work. This is the gift and power of an emotionally mature person.
Quiet Contemplation of Mary’s decisions and leadership impacting our lives…
Mary, You are one of our Spiritual Mothers and Leaders.
Help us to say yes to the call of the Holy One in our daily lives.
Mary, You show us how to live with Courage in our Convictions.
Help us to stand by each other with unending support and love.
Mary, You walked the path of inclusive love with your son, Jesus.
Help us to follow his example, as you taught him.
The Hail Mary(The Companions Rosary)
Hail Mary, full of grace, Our God is with you.
Blessed are You among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother and Friend,
Be with us now, at our hour, and beyond, AMEN.
Closing Blessing and Prayer:
As we pray through our hearts and souls, and through our humanness, we come to know you Holy One, Creator, Lover, and Enhancer.
Bring your blessings on each of us here and remind us that we have the power to share those blessings with everyone we touch in our lives.
Keep us safe tonight as we sleep and always shelter us with your Love.
Thank you for the gifts of Faith, Hope and Patient Awareness and Love.
A warm welcome to those here in the Upper Room, an inclusive catholic community located in Albany, and to those near and far joining us via Zoom. Today is the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time and we are using two of the readings assigned from the lectionary. I’m afraid that like last Sunday, today’s Gospel is a challenge to us as individuals and as community.
Dotty S
O Holy One, We celebrate your abiding, unconditional love as we experience it in our lives. May we recognize your goodness and be strengthened by Word and Sacrament this day. So let us begin in song …..
Opening Song:The Last, the Lost, the Least-David Lohman
Jesus lived among the outcasts, with the Last, the Lost, the Least;
and he offered them a welcome, saying, "Come, and join the feast.
For the banquet hall is open, see a place, set here, for you.
Enter in, lay down your burdens, come and feast and be renewed."
Refrain:And yet still today he’s asking, "My dear friends, don't turn away.
Will you follow my example? Love the outcasts now, I pray."
All their lives they'd heard the message from the gatekeepers of God
that their lives were deemed unworthy, they were sinful, broken, flawed.
But he said, "I'll never leave you on the outside gazing in.
Leave your wounds and hurts behind you, you'll find healing love within." Ref
And yet, all these centuries later, still the painful truth remains
far too many on the outside, and the Church doors locked with chains.
So, we're called to loose those shackles, fling the church doors open wide;
to extend a hand of welcome, and invite them all inside. Ref
Can we find the moral courage now to finally heed his call?
For the Last, can we start proving There is truly room for all?
For the Lost, can we go searching 'til at last they're safely found?
For the Least, can we uplift them, stand them, firm, on holy ground? Ref
Liturgy of Word
First Reading:from the prophet Isaiah66:1-2, 5, 10-14, 18-22
Thus says Yahweh: The heavens are my judgment seat, the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Wasn’t all of this made by my hand? Doesn’t all of this belong to me? The one I esteem is humble and contrite in spirit, and reveres my word.
Hear the word of Yahweh you who revere God’s word! Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, all you who love her, exult with her. Oh that you may suckle fully of the milk of her comfort, that you may nurse with delight at her abundant breasts! As nurslings, you will be carried in her arms, and fondled in her lap. As a mother comforts her child so will I comfort you. In Jerusalem you will find your comfort. When you see this, your heart will rejoice. God’s faithful ones will see the power of Yahweh.
I am coming to gather the nations of every language. They will come to witness my glory. I will give them a sign and send some of their survivors to the distant coastlands that have never heard of me or seen my glory. And they will declare my glory among the nations. As an offering to Yahweh, they will bring all of your sisters and brothers from all the nations to my holy mountain in Jerusalem, says Yahweh. For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I am making, will endure before me, so will your progeny and your name endure, declares Yahweh.
Gospel Reading:Luke13:22-30
Jesus went through cities and towns teaching, all the while making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked “Will only a few people be saved?"
Jesus replies: "Try to come in through the narrow door. Many, I tell you, will try to enter and won’t succeed. Once the head of the household gets up and locks the door, you may find yourselves standing outside, knocking and saying, ‘Please open the door! It’s us!’ but the answer will come, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ Then you’ll begin to say, ‘But we ate and drank in your company. You taught in our streets.’ But you’ll hear, ‘I tell you, I don’t know where you come from. Get away from me!’
There will be wailing and the grinding of teeth when you see Sarah and Abraham, Rebecca and Isaac, Leah and Rachel and Jacob and all the prophets safe in the kin-dom of God, and you yourselves rejected. People will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south and will take their places at the feast in the kin-dom of God. Some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last."
Homily and Shared Reflections
Let me begin my remarks today with a short tale about an old Irish pastor who said, ‘Everyone who wants to go to heaven, stand up!’ and the whole church stood up. And then he said, ‘And those who want to go to hell, remain standing!’ Well at the very back of the church he could see old man Murphy still standing. The pastor asked “Murphy, do you want to go to hell? Murphy said, “No, Father; I just hate to see you go there all by yourself!”
This isn’t a trailer about my homily today. I’m not going to be preaching about hell.
What word, phrase or sentence from today’s readings stood out for you? Could it be one of these?
Where is the house you will build for me?
As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you … oh that you may suckle fully and nurse with delight
I will gather sisters and brothers from nations of every language and bring them to my holy mountain.
The new heavens and new earth which is in the making will endure and so will you and your descendants.
Will only a few be saved?
A narrow door then suddenly becomes a closed door
and finally, People will come from every place known and take part in the kin-dom feast.
In our first reading, Isaiah is speaking to the survivors of the Babylonian captivity which lasted nearly 70 years;so they have now returned to Zion (Jerusalem) to begin rebuilding their Temple. Rememberthat the Jews saw themselves as God’s chosen ones and that God would protect, defend and save them if they were faithful to the covenant established with Abrahamand Sarah.And what is Isaiah’s message to these exiles?
First, they hear a question:Where is the house you will build for me? Furthermore, do you think I can be contained there?
Second, God says “I am making things new; I am gathering all peoplesand inviting them to my holy mountain in Jerusalem.”I dare say Isaiah is challenging their notion that they have a monopoly on God who is the source and creator of all that is.
Finally, he also speaks of God as a mother; a mother who nurses with delight to comfort and cradle her child safely in her lap. What a powerful image of intimacy and universality! Biblical scholars tells us there are many Hebrew names for God in Scripture, one of them being El Shaddai—literally, “God who has breasts” as opposed to our translation being “Almighty God.”
For the most part, our Gospel for this year of the Lectionary is taken from Luke’s account. We know that he was a Gentile and a traveling companion of Paul. His audience is primarily Gentiles and his account often has Jesus showing care for the least and the lost, those oppressed and marginalized, Gentiles, Samaritans and women. We also know that it was written after the ‘Followers of the Way’ were expelled from the Temple and more than likely after the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple by the Roman occupiers.
“Try to come in through the narrow door.”
“Please open the door!”
“Go away, I don’t know you.”
Last week, Lynn suggested we caught Jesus on a bad day. Certainly, the Jesus Seminar scholars are confident Jesus never said these words. More than likely these words reflect the author’s thoughts or perhaps express the fears and invective of a young sectarian movement away from the Jewish religious establishment. So, if this is “fake news,” is there a take-away message?
I suggest we focus on the ‘door.’ I think it can be a metaphor for our lives,both personally and collectively. For the last several years, people all over the world are migrating and on the move seeking safety, security, salvation. We continue to struggle with this issue here in the US. Just one issue among the myriad issues that we are dealing with as a global society.
Pope Francis has often said that compassion, understanding and mercy are the doorway to new beginnings full of hope and promise.
My friends, this very community is a bridge from what was to a new model that is anything but narrow and exclusive. You are BEATITUDEpeople in your generosity of time and treasure with many wonderful causes and partnerships in the Albany area.
My prayer this day for each of us (from today’s second reading which we did not use) is endure, do not lose heart, but strengthen your drooping hands and weak knees for what needs to be healed.So, open the door, offer hospitality to the guest and set a place at the feast. In whatever you do, proclaim the Good News to everybody that you meet: El Shaddai loves you, and so do I.
What message did you hear?
Response to Word: Celtic AlleluiaDennis McD - cantor
Now with the strength of your Word, send us to be your disciples, to bring all the world to the joy of your kin-dom
Statement of FaithMargaret & Ed Dilgen
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 Eucharist
Deven:
As we prepare for our sacred meal, let us give voice to our blessings, cares and concerns and those of our world, beginning with the words, “I bring tothe table…..”
[for those on ZOOM, remember to unmute and then mute again]
We pray for the cares and concerns written in our Community Book of Intentions, (pause) and all the unspoken intentions in our hearts. Amen.
Jim M
With open hearts and hands let us pray our Eucharistic prayer in one voice.
O Great Mystery, we thank you for the gift of life. Your spirit is incarnate in our living and loving. Inspire and embolden us to open the doors of our hearts and minds to recognize our mystical connection with you, each other and all of creation. In your loving motherly embrace, we can let go of division, fear, conflict, pride and injustice and experience healing and wholeness. Acknowledging all the joyful troubadours and faithful servants who have gone before us and your presence among us, we join our voices with all creation and sing of your great glory:
may your Spirit among us help us to find you are rising up now
like a fountain of grace from the holy ground
here in this place, here in this place.
Holy, holy, holy God of love and majesty
the whole universe speaks of your glory
from the holy ground here in this place, here in this place.
Dotty S [all]
We thank you for Jesus, the Jewish Teacher, who modeled how to live and love in challenging times. He sought to cure the sick, care for those who were poor and wept with those who were sad. He taught us to forgive even our enemies. He took children in his arms and blessed them. He revealed you as God-With-Us, and revealed us as one with you and all of creation.
[extend your hands in blessing]
On the night before he faced betrayal and death, Jesus gathered for a meal with the people closest to him. To remind them to “love one another, as I have loved you,” he bent down and washed their feet, like the least household servant.
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.
[pause]
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]
Jim MThis is the bread of life and the cup of blessing, simple gifts from the earth. As we savor God’s goodness, may we be nourished to live the Gospel of peaceand justice.
All: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’schallenge.
Communion Meditation:Bread of Life by Rory Cooney[Video by MT Streck]
As the Body of Christ, we are willing to do everything Jesus did: to live justly, love tenderly and walk humbly on the earth. Holy One, your transforming energy is within us. May your Spirit, that same spirit that animated Jesus, gift us the courage to open doors and extend joyful hospitality to all, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, class or sexual orientation.
We pray for the leaders of faith communities—may they be signs of unity, hope and joy to all.
We also pray for the secular leaders of our world—may they seek peace and promote justice for the sake of the entire human family and our planet.
Joan PLet us pray as Jesus taught:
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
Dotty S[Let us raise our hands and bless each other as we go our separate ways]
May our door be always open to those in need, whether neighbor or stranger,in times of joy, trouble or sorrow.
May our incarnation of God’s abiding spirit shine brightly as we ‘meet and greet’ everyone. Indeed, may our living and loving be a blessing to all
and give glory to the One in whom we live, move and have our being.
