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phone-in for (audio only) Phone Number: (646) 558-8656
Meeting ID: 825 1215 9155
Why should you pay the price?
Welcome: Welcome! I’m so glad to be here with you today as we think about the true cost of discipleship.
Opening Prayer Let us pray. Holy One, even as we celebrate this glorious Season of Creation, we are reminded of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Let us feel your love and support as we walk the way together. AMEN
Opening Song: Canticle of the Sun by Marty Haugen
https://youtu.be/CfJ6WJPUff8
LITURGY OF THE WORD
Gospel Acclamation: Celtic Alleluia by Christopher Walker
https://youtu.be/4cs8NDVM3Vk?si=LjKW18DK_ms_MYHw
Gospel:
A Reading from the Gospel attributed to Mark 8:27-37
Jesus journeyed on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. On the way, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist. Others say Elijah. Still others, one of the prophets.” Jesus asked them, “But you… who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Anointed One, the Christ.” Jesus sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
Immediately, he began to teach them that the Human One, the Anointed One, must undergo great suffering, be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and religious lawyers, be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him. Turning, and looking at the disciples, Jesus rebuked Peter saying, “Get behind me, Satan! Your mind is not set on the things of God, but on human things.”
Jesus called to the crowd, as well as his disciples. He said to all of them, “If any want to become my followers, you can no longer live for yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me. Those who want to save their life will lose it. Those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit you to gain the whole world and forfeit your soul, your very life? Indeed, for what could you ever trade your life?"
These are the inspired words of the gospel writer known as Mark and the community affirms them by saying AMEN.
Second Reading:
A Reading from the First Letter attributed to Peter 1:1b, 2d -7; 3:13-18
To the exiles of the Dispersion…
May grace and peace be yours in abundance.
Blessed be the God of Jesus the Christ! In great compassion, God gave us new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus the Christ from the dead. We now have an inheritance that does not fail. This is your treasure, awaiting you when your time comes. You, by the power of God, are safeguarded through faith, to a wholeness that will ultimately be revealed. In this you rejoice! Although now - for a little while - you may have to suffer various trials. In the trials you may suffer, the genuineness of your faith will be tested, like gold in a refiner’s fire. However, your faith is more precious than gold. Gold can perish. May the genuineness of your faith prove stronger than gold. May it prove to be for the praise, glory, and honor of Jesus the Christ.
Now, who is going to harm you if you are enthusiastic for doing good? But even if you should suffer for doing the right thing, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified. Do not fear those who seek to hurt you. Rather, revere Jesus the Christ in your hearts. Always be ready to explain, to anyone who asks, the reason for your hope; but do it with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed for their slander. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.
A Reading from a late first century Pastor and the community affirms them by saying AMEN.
Shared Homily:
Julie: Usually when I read today’s gospel, I focus on “Who do people say that I am?” Two thousand years later, it’s still a great question! Today though I want to bring your attention to the next part, “If any want to become my followers, you can no longer live for yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me. Those who want to save their life will lose it.” That’s because when preparing today’s liturgy, I read in Barbara Reid’s Abiding Word, that some women take this text to mean that they need to accept every abuse from their spouses, even if it kills them. That it’s their cross to bear. It is not! While oppressors at every level—government, church, and family—have twisted scripture to suit their selfish purposes, Jesus protected the vulnerable. He did not encourage their further victimization. Let’s all take a deep breath and as we blow it out, let’s promise ourselves that the next time we hear this gross misinterpretation, we speak up and say, No, that’s not what he meant.
So, what did Jesus mean? That’s where our second reading comes in. The Inclusive Catholic Lectionary uses this instead of the standard epistle because it “describes the role of suffering in the lives of Jesus’ disciples. It is not just Jesus who suffered, but those who follow him must be prepared to do so if needed.” We’ve touched on that before, the cost of discipleship. Even today, discipleship has a cost. The way of Jesus is a countercultural one, even here in North America, where so many call themselves Christians. I especially love this line, “Always be ready to explain, to anyone who asks, the reason for your hope; but do it with gentleness and respect. …” Because, let’s face it, we’ve all gotten questions about what we do. Why do you go to that weird church? Why do you volunteer in that bad part of town where it’s not safe? Why are you going to another protest? In today’s polarized environment, it’s easy to get defensive when our choices are questioned. If instead we answer with “gentleness and respect,” we will be much less likely to end up in an argument. We may even inspire someone else to come to church. Or to volunteer. Or to speak up against injustice.
What did you hear today? What will you do? What, if anything, will it cost you?
Statement of Faith:
All: 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 and Intentions, Blessings and Concerns
As we prepare for the sacred meal, we are alert to the wonders and dangers within our task of stewardship of Creation. We bring our gratitude, blessings and concerns to the friendship table. Please begin your prayer with “I bring to the table. …”
We pray for these and all the unspoken concerns held in the silence of our hearts. AMEN.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Let us pray the Eucharistic Prayer of Compassion for the Earth with one voice and open hearts,
All: Holy One, we are amazed at the universe and this planet Earth and we respond with gratitude and compassion. We are blessed by the lights of the heavens, the sun and moon, comets and stars; we are blessed by knowing ours is but one galaxy among many.
We are blessed by the darkness which keeps us from being blinded by the light and which eases us into contemplation and rootedness; likewise, we are blessed by light which awakens our souls to the glory of creation.
We are blessed by oceans and the cliffs and shores which envelop them, by streams and rivers, by snow and sleet and rain. The mountains are our blessing of solitude and summit where we can feel the softest wind, see the furthest horizon and expand our imagination and vision.
We are blessed by the children whose easy smiles and open arms teach us enthusiasm and delight at living in the present. We are blessed by friends and strangers, by those who have gone before us and the friends we have yet to meet. These companions are the face of your love and compassion.
Plant and vegetation, whether beauties of the land or harvest for our survival are also our companions, sharing in the sun and wind and rain. The biodiverse wealth of animal and marine life are our blessed companions, deserving also of our protection and care.
In celebration of Creation and all our blessings, we sing with joy…
Holy, Holy, Holy: Here in this Place by Christopher Grundy
All: In times when the pain in our hearts breaks and the world’s pain seems unreconciled, our appreciation and awareness of Creation can dwindle or lapse. The urgency of addressing climate change is not always recognized; valuing creation and sustaining its life-giving properties is sometimes an afterthought.
May our recognition of Earth as our Eden fill us with gratitude. May the saving grace of the Spirit and of Jesus enhance the dialogue and sacrifice necessary to save ourselves and our world.
We celebrate the truth-tellers and the lovers of the environment, living and dead; Ansel Adams, the landscape photographer, John Audubon, the naturalist, Jane Goodall, the anthropologist, Greta Thunberg, and Erin Brockovich, climate activists and authors Henry David Thoreau and Rachel Carson. Like our brother Jesus, these visionaries were pioneers and prophets who sought to live fully and fearlessly the truth of their calling.
Julie: Please extend your hands in blessing.
All: We are grateful for the bread and wine that remind us that we are called to renew and to be renewed with the love of the Spirit of God who is in everything, every plant, animal and human everywhere. We thank you for Jesus, beacon of love and mercy, forgiveness and healing.
We are grateful for this bread and wine which remind us that we join Jesus in standing with the broken and wounded of the world who are most directly affected by climate change.
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 the bread
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, go and share my love with one another.
lift the cup
Then he took the cup of the covenant, spoke the grace, and offered it to them saying:
Take and drink of the covenant made new again through my life in you. Whenever you remember me like this, I am among you.
Bread and wine are transformed by your Spirit and we are transformed when we open ourselves to Your Spirit. Each time we share this bread with one another we choose to love others as you love us.
What we have heard with our ears, we will live in our lives; as we share communion, we will become communion, both Love’s nourishment and Love’s challenge.
Through Jesus we have learned how to live. Through Jesus, we have learned how to love. Through Jesus we have learned how to serve. AMEN
Please receive the bread and wine with the words, I am a spark of the Divine.
Communion Song: Come to the Water by John Foley, S.J.
Jesus Prayer for the Season of Creation
Let us pray, as Jesus taught us.
All: Generous Creator, the intricate and elegant biodiversity of our world is your hallowed autograph on our lives, our souls and our hearts.
We yearn for the wholeness of being in harmony with Your will and with all living things. Each day we draw on your creative, life-giving energy with awe as we find nourishment in, seed and field, river and forest.
We acknowledge our shortcomings, especially our feelings of being powerless in the face of climate change and injustice. We seek to be reconciled with those we have hurt and we resolve to do better.
With your unfailing wisdom and the wind of Your Spirit, inspire us that we may reach out and love one another and care for the world, our home. Strengthen us to work for local and global justice. May we one day reap a harvest of equality and fairness as if they were wildflowers, propagating spontaneously, unerringly and in surprising abundance. AMEN.
Lynn Kinlan
BLESSING
Please extend your hands as we bless each other
All: May we treat all of Creation as sacred. May our lives show our respect for the earth we share with our sisters and brothers, with all creatures, around the globe. May we live as if the future depends on it. AMEN.
Closing Song: Anthem by Tom Conry
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