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Meeting ID: 825 1215 9155
Welcome: (MT): Welcome to our Upper Room liturgy. Today our theme is Wisdom: An Understanding Heart. Like Solomon, we pray for wisdom in our daily lives. Following Jesus, we live into a greater understanding of what it means to be alive within a kin-dom that cherishes all of creation.
Opening Prayer: (BMM) We rejoice in You, Lover of All, Beloved, and the Breath of Love, for You are with us, within us and beyond us. Nourish us with your beauty, inspire us with your hope, enlighten us with your wisdom, empower us with your love. We trust in Your divine presence to guide us to make wise choices and grow in wholeness and holiness. Lead us by your truth to become all that you created us to be. Amen.
Opening Song: Come, Be in Our Hearts by Sara Thomsen and video by Denise Hackert-Stoner https://youtu.be/gwxldz6oH2w
First Reading: (Jeannie Albert) A reading from the First Book of Kings
The Most Holy One appeared to Solomon in a dream and said,
"Ask something of me and I will give it to you."
Solomon answered: “Most Holy One, you have made me, your servant,
king to succeed my father David; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act.
I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen,
a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted.
Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart
to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.
For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?"
God was pleased that Solomon made this request and said to him:
"Because you have asked for this—not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right—
I do as you requested.
I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you."
These are the inspired words of the author of the Book of Kings, and we affirm them by saying, Amen.
Response to readings: More Light by Christopher Grundy
Second Reading: (Suzanne De Froy) Praying for Wisdom
Adapted from Richard Rohr, Simplicity: The Freedom of Letting Go (Crossroad Publishing: 1991, 2003), 68, 70, 75.
On the last day of the year, I generally withdraw to pray. A few years ago, I asked myself: What should I pray for this year? What do we need in these turbulent times? Naturally I was strongly tempted to pray for more love. But it occurred to me that I’ve met so many people in the world who are already full of love and who really care for others. Maybe what we lack isn’t love but wisdom. It became clear to me that I should pray above all else for wisdom.
We all want to love, but as a rule we don’t know how to love rightly. How should we love so that life will really come from it? I believe that what we all need is wisdom. I’m very disappointed that we in the Church have passed on so little wisdom. Often the only thing we’ve taught people is to think that they’re right—or that they’re wrong. We’ve either mandated things or forbidden them. But we haven’t helped people to enter upon the narrow and dangerous path of true wisdom. On wisdom’s path we take the risk of making mistakes. On this path we take the risk of being wrong. That’s how wisdom is gained.
Jesus came to teach us the way of wisdom. He brought us a message that offers to liberate us from both the lies of the world and the lies lodged in ourselves. The words of the Gospel create an alternative consciousness, solid ground on which we can really stand, free from every social order and from every ideology. Jesus called this new foundation the Reign of God, the kingdom.
These are the inspired words of Richard Rohr, mystic and prophet, and we affirm them by saying, Amen.
Celtic Alleluia
Gospel: (Bridget Mary) The Gospel according to Matthew 13: 33, 44-46
Jesus said: “The kingdom of heaven is like the yeast a baker took and mixed in with three measures of flour until it was leavened all through.” Or again,
"The kingdom of heaven is like a buried treasure found in a field. The ones who discovered it, hid it again, and, rejoicing at the discovery, went and sold all their possessions and bought that field.
Or again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant’s search for fine pearls. When one pearl of great price, was found, the merchant went back and sold everything else and bought it.”
These are the words of the Gospel writer known as Matthew and we affirm them by saying: Amen
Homily Starter – Mary Theresa
There is so much to unpack in today’s readings. The first reading is about the young King Solomon. Solomon, son of King David, was chosen by his father to be the next King. At that time, Solomon was faced with a great challenge: to bring together the tribes of the Jewish people from the north and the south under one united kingdom. I can imagine that task occupied many waking moments and many dreams or nightmares. So, it is significant that Solomon chooses wisdom, an understanding heart, to govern his people. It is both a practical and humble choice and one that reflects Solomon’s understanding of the Holy One who values social equality and justice in human relationships. This story is about a community’s call to walk in faithfulness, and righteousness with an understanding mind and a listening heart.
In the second reading Richard Rohr responds to our turbulent times by praying for wisdom, the wisdom Jesus taught us that provides a solid ground on which we can really stand, free from every social order and from every ideology. Jesus called this place the Reign of God, the kingdom. We refer to this today as the kin-dom, the loving connection that makes us all one.
In today’s gospel there are three short parables about the kingdom.
The kingdom is like leaven in flour. A small amount of leaven brings enormous change, transformation. When we are wise like the young Solomon and seek the Kingdom with an understanding heart, we are changed and we make a difference in our relationships with each other. We are empowered to seek what is best for all of creation. It is a place where we can offer our bit of salt, leaven and light.
The Kingdom is like treasure buried in a field or a pearl of great price. When we seek the kingdom, we seek the wisdom and the faith to see the true value of the Reign of the Holy One hidden in the everyday fields of life. This is what Jesus urges for His disciples. He is teaching them that the rewards of the kingdom are worth giving up everything to follow Him.
What did you hear in today’s readings?
Statement of Faith (Phillis)
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.
Prayers for the Community
MT: As we prepare for the sacred meal, we bring to this table our blessings, cares, and concerns. Please voice your intentions beginning with the words, “I bring to the table…”)
We pray for these and all unspoken intentions. Amen.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Eucharistic Prayer
Adapted from Prayer of the Spirit by Joyce Rupp
MT / Phillis: With open hands and hearts, we pray our Eucharistic prayer:
Holy Wisdom, you lovingly abide in our depths and graciously guide our every step. You lead us to ever stronger growth and draw us more fully toward inner freedom. This day we renew our purpose of being faithful to our relationship with you and we sing your praise:
Here in this Place – Holy Holy Holy by Christopher Grundy
Source of Vision and Wisdom, Perceptive Guide,
permeate the moments of our choices
when falsehood and truth both call to us.
Turn us toward the way of goodness,
so that we will always lean toward your love.
Breath of Life, Touch of Mystery,
You are the ribbon of inner connection,
uniting us with the groaning of all creation.
Because of You, our lives gather into a oneness.
Keep us attentive to this interdependence.
Fill our being with constant compassion
and a deep hope that knows no bounds.
Dwelling Place, Sanctuary of Silence,
You are the home for which we deeply yearn.
You are the resting place for which we long.
We find both comfort and challenge in You.
Grant that we may keep our whole selves open
to the transforming power of your indwelling,
that we may ever know the blessings
of Your companionship.
BMM: Please extend your hands in blessing.
As we bless this bread and wine, we are ever aware of Your Spirit in us and among us at this Eucharistic table. We remember our brother Jesus whose life and teachings reflected the depth of Your love beyond our hopes and dreams.
All: 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.
Lift plate as the community prays 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)
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.
Whenever you remember me like this,
I am among you.
(pause)
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.
MT: Please receive Communion with the words: Holy Wisdom is within you.
Communion song: Compassion (Change the World) by Andrew Witt
Prayer After Communion
BMM / Phillis: Let us pray together: Holy Wisdom, You call us to live the Gospel of peace and justice. We will live justly. You call us to be your presence in the world. We will love tenderly. You call us to speak truth to power. We will walk with integrity in your presence.
MT / Phillis: Let us pray as Jesus taught us:
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
(Miriam Therese Winter)
Blessing
BMM / Phillis: Please raise your hands and pray our blessing:
Holy One, you fill all things with a fullness and hope that we can never comprehend. May we have the courage to awaken to greater truth, greater humility, and greater care for one another. May we place our hopes and dreams in what matters and what lasts, trusting in your eternal presence and love. And, may we be a blessing in our time. Amen. (adapted from Richard Rohr)
Closing Song: Behold the Kingdom – John Michael Talbot – video by Denise Hackert-Stoner
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