phone-in for (audio only) Phone Number: (646) 558-8656
Meeting ID: 825 1215 9155
Blessed are We
Welcome and Theme: We are so happy to welcome each of you, both present here and those zooming in from all over the US and especially our FRIENDS in Canada. Today, we will celebrate the Beatitudes, that remarkable teaching that Jesus bestowed upon us. We are greatly blessed and today we will reflect upon these sacred teachings, we find guidance, comfort, and the call to live with mercy, humility, and love.
Opening Prayer: Bishop Marianne Budde Sermon 1/21/25 Washington Cathedral
https://youtu.be/Y17GhAr7_Sc?si=uwYBHw27qGC0xLPQ
Opening Song: Blessed Are You written and performed by Sara Hart
https://youtu.be/0XSViv4a9eQ?si=TGXbqr359nSqraPe
LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading: A reading from Matthew Fox’s book “Original Blessing”
Since “blessing” is the theological word for “goodness,” original blessing is about original goodness. The forces of fear and pessimism so prevalent in society and religion need to be countered by an increased awareness of awe and goodness. This goodness is inherent in the beauty, wisdom and wonder of creation. Goodness and creation go together as do goodness and God. As Meister Eckhart put it, “Goodness is the proper name for God the Creator.” When creation becomes the starting point of spirituality once again, then hope will return also. We will see everything differently, including Divinity itself.
These are the inspired words of Matthew Fox, from his book “Original Blessing” and the community affirms them by saying Amen.
Second Reading: A reading from Rev. Lauren McLaughlin’s book, “Blessing the Animals”
God bless the animals, and especially the dog. Dogs are willing, even anxious to love us. Help us to be willing and anxious also, God, to love them and to love one another. Dogs illustrate for us how to be loyal, faithful, playful, creative, intelligent, tenacious, steadfast and most of all forgiving. Dogs, if we let them be, are among your most patient and gentle teachers. God, thank You for dogs – for the gifts they bring, the lessons they teach, the joy of life they exhibit. Bless the dogs of our planet, God – everywhere. Amen.
These are the inspired words of Rev. Lauren McLaughlin, from the book “Blessing the Animals.”
Celtic Alleluia – Christopher Walker sung by San Tomaso Choir
https://youtu.be/QOOkNMPc_l0?si=IouslPei8JQFAOVx
Gospel: Luke 6:17, 20-26
Coming down the mountain with them, Jesus stopped in a level area
where there were a great number of disciples. A large crowd of people
was with them from Jerusalem and all over Judea,
to as far north as the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon.
Looking at the disciples, Jesus said:
“You who are poor are blessed, for the reign of God is yours.
You who hunger now are blessed, for you’ll be filled.
You who weep now are blessed, for you’ll laugh.
You are blessed when people hate you, when they scorn and insult you
and spurn your name as evil because of the Chosen One.
On the day they do so, rejoice and be glad: your reward will be great in heaven,
for their ancestors treated the prophets the same way.
But woe to you rich, for you are now receiving your comfort in full.
Woe to you who are full, for you’ll go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now, for you’ll weep in your grief.
Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated
the false prophets in the same way.
These are the inspired words of the anonymous writer known as Luke, and the community affirms them by saying “Amen.”
Shared Homily
Bless me Father, for I have sinned.
God Bless you.
Bless us O Lord and these they gifts.
The words bless, blessing, and blessed are all a part of our everyday lexicon. But what did Jesus mean when he taught blessed are the poor, mourning, meek and more? The Beatitudes challenge worldly values by teaching that true blessing comes not from power, wealth, or comfort but from humility, righteousness, mercy, and faithfulness to God. They describe the qualities of those who follow the way of Jesus and the rewards of living in alignment with God’s kin-dom.
One understanding could align his teaching with the Ecclesiastes 3:1. “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” You who weep now are blessed, for you will laugh; You who hunger now are blessed, for you’ll be filled. If we look more deeply into the second half of each phrase in the Beatitudes, there is an implication that action is required in feeding hungry people, comforting grieving people and welcoming people living in poverty into our lives. We can’t just passively assume that ‘there is a season’ means ‘this too shall pass.’ We are the ones they have been waiting for to ease their suffering.
Bishop Budde’s sermon is actually the 21st century version of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. As she bravely spoke to the leader of our country begging him for mercy for immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, and those living in poverty, she is calling us to action. Bishop Budde does not expect him to change, nor do we. However, right in this community, we are already taking action. Some of us serve in St. John’s/St. Ann’s Soup Kitchen; some support refugees through Family Promise; some support Dreamcatchers to prevent the trafficking of vulnerable people; some work for justice for homeless and indigenous peoples; some call others to action through petitions, protests and contacting legislative representatives. Discerning where our time, our money and our energy will be directed is an important step for each of us.
One more comment about our readings. You may have been startled by the second reading about dogs. (If you know me at all, including a reflection about dogs, would not startle you.) Rev. Lauren McLaughlin calls on God to bless the animals, specifically highlighting the most endearing and pure behavior of dogs. Isn’t humility, tenacity, forgiveness, patience and gentleness what Jesus is calling us to in the Sermon on the Mount?
We can bless them and learn from them to be unconditionally loving, loyal, tenacious, steadfast and forgiving. I read them as the Beatitudes for dogs.
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.
Presider 1: Prayer of the Community
As we prepare for this sacred meal, we are aware that just as Jesus is anointed, so is each of us. As bearers of LIGHT and HOPE, we bring to this table our blessings, cares and concerns. Please feel free to voice your intentions beginning with the words, “I bring to the table.....”
We pray for all blessings, cares and concerns, and all unspoken intentions. Amen.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Presider 2: With open hands let us pray our Eucharistic Prayer together:
All: O Holy One, the first passion of Jesus was his passion for you and for justice so that all may reap the beauty and bounty of Creation in equal measure. Jesus lived to incarnate your justice for all the world according to your covenant with Israel. In solidarity with Jesus, and with all the faithful men and women who have gone before us, we lift up our hearts and sing:
Holy, Holy, Holy: Cello and Piano @Tenacity_Music
https://youtube.com/shorts/fmosHXYcZHY?si=18YdFdNXBsWq6g4c
All: Holy One, we celebrate the life of your son and our brother, Jesus. He lived his life and walked forward to his death knowing that you were leading him. We walk forward in his pathway and follow his teaching.
We are standing in the right place with Jesus when we let go of money, possessions, pride and privilege, to become vulnerable and open to you, to accept poverty of spirit and reliance on you.
We are standing with You when we are compassionate for all human beings, and when we extend empathy and love to everyone, especially the poor, oppressed, and mournful. We remember all those who suffer and die each year from war, poverty and unjust disease. We mourn for them, and for all creatures we destroy, and for the earth itself.
We are blessed when we are gentle, nonviolent, courageous and humble, like your saints. We pray to grow in awareness of our unity with all of creation and co-create with You our earth as a sanctuary of peace.
We rejoice, O Holy One, as we join the lineage of Your prophets of justice and peace. We, Your daughters and sons, continue to work with Your grace as we arise and walk forward in the footsteps of our peace-loving brother, Jesus.
Presiders stand at table
All: On the night before he died, Jesus did more than ask us to remember him. He showed us how to live in humility and generosity when he washed the feet of his friends.
Presider 1 lifts bread
All: At the table, he took the Passover Bread, spoke the grace, broke the bread and offered it to them saying:
Take and eat of the Bread of Life
Given to strengthen you
Whenever you remember me like this
I am among you. (pause)
Presider 2 lifts the cup
All: Jesus then raised a cup of blessing, spoke the grace 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.
All: O Holy One, 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.
Please receive the Bread of Life and the Cup of Blessing with the words: You are a whisper of God’s presence in the world.
Communion Song: I Am So Blessed - written and performed by Karen Drucker
https://youtu.be/2SHaEjFtP2g?si=thXNCpPFqVFC9XHC
Presider 1: Let us pray together the prayer that 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
Presider 1: Let us raise our hands and bless each other.
May we be blessed with a restless discomfort about easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships.
May we seek truth boldly and love deeply.
May we continue to be the face of the Holy One, and
May our names be a blessing in our time.
Closing Song: Holy as the Day is Spent by Carrie Newcomer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxzO8DyY9e8
The Eucharistic Prayer is adapted from Beatitudes for Peace by John Dear
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