phone-in for (audio only) Phone Number: (646) 558-8656
Meeting ID: 825 1215 9155
Welcome and Theme (Connie)
Good morning and welcome to the Upper Room Community. This morning we will learn about the healing of the mother-in-law of Simon Peter. Jesus continues to fulfill his destiny as a son of God. He is compelled, as is each one of us, to know his purpose, to help where he can, to pray and seek God in solitude and to use that time to fortify him for ongoing ministry,
Opening Prayer: (Kim)
We join together as individuals forming a community of those seeking wisdom and holy purpose. We commit this time to opening our hearts and minds to the still small voice of God, expressed in readings, shared through deep listening to one another and nourished at our table of friendship. May all listen attentively to what we are called to hear this morning. Amen
Opening Song: Be Still And Know-Song by Shaina Knoll and video by MTStreck https://youtu.be/CCGsExqtYKo
LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading: (Rich) A reading from the Book of Job 7:1-4, 6-7
Job spoke, saying:
Is not man's life on earth a drudgery?
Are not his days those of hirelings?
He is a slave who longs for the shade,
a hireling who waits for his wages.
So I have been assigned months of misery,
and troubled nights have been allotted to me.
If in bed I say, "When shall I arise?"
then the night drags on;
I am filled with restlessness until the dawn.
My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle;
they come to an end without hope.
Remember that my life is like the wind;
I shall not see happiness again.
Gospel: (Donna) A reading from the Gospel attributed to Mark Mk 1:29-39
On leaving the synagogue
Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
When it was evening, after sunset,
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
Rising very early before dawn, he left
and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you."
He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come."
So he went into their synagogues,
preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.
These are the inspired words from Gospel attributed to Mark, and we affirm them by saying, Amen.
Alleluia: Celtic Alleluia by Christopher Walker
Third Reading: (Mary Theresa) A reading from Megan McKenna from On Your Mark: Reading Mark in the Shadow of the Cross
“I am often amazed that this last line offends many, especially women, who may cynically respond, that's why she was healed, to be a servant to the men." But they have missed the meaning of the phrase "to wait on them," which is the term used for a deacon. She "ministers" to him, just as the "angels ministered to him" during his time in the desert. Jesus has gone out to Simon's mother-in-law in her disease and grasped her by the hand for the victory of justice. In gratitude for his taking hold of her and giving her life to do his work, she responds wholeheartedly. Now the first four followers of Jesus become five in number.
These are the inspired words of Megan McKenna and we affirm them by saying, Amen.
Homily Starter – Connie
In today’s liturgy we hear from Job who is overwhelmed by tragic experiences and still able to hold onto his belief. We also hear about Jesus traveling to Capernaum and enters the home of Simon and Andrew. He is then told that Simon’s mother-in-law is ill and He goes to her, takes her hand and she is healed.
Let’s consider the risks Jesus is taking by leaving his home and touching a woman, which was seen as unclean in the Jewish tradition. He joins with her and they begin to minister to others. This is evident in the second reading when we learn that Nana is a deacon and his followers become 5 instead of 4.
In joining with “Nana”, we see Jesus demonstrating the value and dignity of women. As others gather (some in search of healing), we see the formation of a community.
There are at least two primary lessons in today’s readings. The first is that we are each called to be both Jesus and Simons’ mother-in-law. At his baptism in the Jordan River, Jesus saw a vision of the skies opening when he heard God say that Jesus is His son. It is from this personal conversion. This metanoia is when Jesus began to understand his need to preach and teach and heal. So once we have our own calling, we are called to take risks, just as Jesus did, to go beyond our own comfort zone, and the acceptable norms of both society and yes, even our religious traditions , in order to be true to ourselves and our call. We are also called to be the woman who is healed. Healing does not mean that we are restored to perfection. It means we are once again functional, and also enriched by our healing experience. We move forward as healed people sometimes with scars, but for sure the scars make us more beautiful.
The second lesson is Jesus’ example of what is involved in living a gospel life. The first thing we do is create community or a sense of spiritual home. This is represented in the mother-in-law‘s house. For some of us it is the Upper Room, for Buddhists, it is the Sangha. For some Christians it’s a church or for Jews, a synagogue. But we form community around our kitchen table or the friendship table when we worship. Like Jesus, we also sometimes need to go out on a personal retreat to become quiet in the desert, in the solitude. Jesus goes out into the desert frequently in scriptures, and in today’s reading, so that he can pray and be at union with God to be able to hear God‘s still small voice. We are called to do the same. Lastly, from that sense of grounding and connection with his God, Jesus goes and continues on in his ministry, his active ministry. For those of us who enjoy the work of Richard Rohr, it is that understanding of Action and Contemplation.
We would love to hear what you hear in the readings and in today’s theme. This community is an important part of each of our individual spiritual journeys towards a gospel life.
Shared Reflections
Statement of Faith (Joan)
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 of the Community
Connie : As we prepare for the sacred meal, we share our intentions with the words “ I bring to the table”.
Connie: We pray for these and all unspoken intentions. Amen.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Kim: With open hearts and hands let us pray our Eucharistic prayer in one voice:
O Great Love, thank you for living and loving in us and through us as we set our hearts on belonging to you. May all that we do flow from our deep connection with you and all creation.
You know our limitations and our essential goodness and you love us as we are. You beckon us to your compassionate heart and inspire us to see the good in others and forgive their limitations. Acknowledging your presence in each other and in all of creation, we sing:
Holy, Holy: Here in This Place by Christopher Grundy
Kim: Guiding Spirit, when opposing forces in us tug and pull and we are caught in the tension of choices, inspire us to make wise decisions toward what is good.
We thank you for our brother, Jesus, and for all our sisters and brothers who have modeled for us a way to live and love in challenging times. Inspired by them, we choose life over death, we choose to be light in dark times.
Please extend your hands in blessing.
We are ever aware of your Spirit in us and among us at this Eucharistic table and we are grateful 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 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.
All lift the plate and pray:
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 the cup and pray:
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)
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.
Please receive communion saying: You/I are/am healed and whole.
Communion Song: In the Name of Love by The Outer Banks Music
Prayer after Communion:
Connie: Holy One, your transforming energy is within us and we join our hearts with all who are working for a just world. We pray for wise leaders in our religious communities. We pray for courageous and compassionate leaders in our world communities.
We pray for all of us gathered here and like Jesus, we open ourselves up to your Spirit, for it is through living as he lived that we awaken to your Spirit within,
moving us to glorify you, at this time and all ways.
Amen.
Connie: 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
Connie: Let us raise our hands and bless one another.
May we go forth, confident in our dignity and worth as those who are healed and whole as daughters and sons of God. May we live in gratitude for this blessing.
May we, like Jesus, be brave and bold in living the gospel message. May we be earnest seekers of justice and peace. May we be a blessing in our time. AMEN.
Closing Song: Where Did Jesus Go? - Video Denise Hackert-Stoner https://youtu.be/biPM_MTQVgI
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