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Welcome and Opening Prayer:
Welcome to all, online, in Zoom, in the Upper Room space. We are here together as family, wherever we are. We share a common awareness of how much we are loved, just because we exist. And we learn to love others in return because of this awareness and care. Let us listen with open hearts, minds and souls to the word today. Happy Mother’s Day.
Opening Song: Ancient Mother by Jan Novotka
First Reading: From The Friendship of Women, by Joan Chittister
Elizabeth was the cousin to whom Mary of Nazareth went betrothed, yes, but pregnant by someone other than Joseph “before they came together” and unmarried. It was a major issue, both religious and social. To be pregnant and unmarried in the Jewish community of the time was not simply to risk disapproval, it was to risk death. It was certainly to be shunned. But Elizabeth, contrary to all tradition, against all common sense, took Mary into her home, no questions asked, no verdict levied.
More than that, Elizabeth recognized in Mary the great gain that would eventually come from a situation that looked like such great loss to everyone else. Elizabeth accepted Mary for who she was and she saw the goodness in her. Literally. Immediately.
These are words of wisdom from Sr. Joan Chittister, and we affirm them by saying AMEN.
Second Reading: From The Friendship of Women, by Joan Chittister
Anne, according to tradition, was the wife of Joachim and the mother of Mary of Nazareth. She is an obscure figure. And is known only through the apocrypha, the unofficial gospels of the early church, but real in the mind of any woman who seeks to touch the spirit of women who are our ancestors in the long, plodding game of life. Anne becomes the mother of that whole long line of women who looked to Mary of Nazareth, the mother of Jesus, as a model of courage and endurance, of integrity and goodness. Anne is the root that nourishes the tree. In looking to Mary as a model, we must look at Anne, as well. It was Anne who nurtured Mary to become the woman she was. It is the Annes’ in our own lives, that bevy of invisible women, who have nurtured us as well.
It is the Anne quality that reminds us of what it means to stand on the shoulders of the matriarchs who have gone before us, anonymous and invisible and uncomplaining. Because of what they gave to us unseen, we pour out ourselves on our friends. We live in the tradition of those women who prepared the way for us. Invisibly, often. Immeasurably, sometimes. Unreservedly, always. And one day, sooner or later, we ourselves all become Anne, the nurturer.
These are words of wisdom from Sr. Joan Chittister, and we affirm them with a heartfelt, AMEN.
Third reading: From In God’s Womb by Edwina Gateley.
I am very happy. There is no happiness that can be compared with that of being with God. God supports me and reminds me of his presence. Here I could be a real prey to loneliness and a sense of isolation and insecurity. When I begin to feel lonely, I call upon God to hold me up, and God has never failed me. God is like a father or a mother walking gently behind the child -allowing the child freedom to walk, explore, and wonder-but never leaving her shadow and continually attentive in case she should call and reach out her hand.
Surely this God of ours is great in love! How could I be afraid? God is unable to leave me alone. God is my strength, my inspiration, my hope, and all my joy. Do not ask yourself if you have time to pray, ask yourself if you have time to love. For that is what it is.
These are words of wisdom from Edwina Gateley, and we affirm them with a resounding, AMEN.
Gospel Acclamation: Bernadett’s Alleluia by Joseph Moorman
https://youtu.be/TgzsYa6A2wY?si=CvTNvGSxI_GS0QsU
Gospel: The Gospel from the community named John. (from The New, New Testament by Hal Tausig et.al.)
If you love me, you will keep my commandments, and I will ask the [Mother]/Father, and she will give you another helper, to be with you always—the spirit of truth. The world cannot receive this Spirit, because it does not see it or recognize it, but you recognize it, because it is with you, and is in you. I will not leave you bereaved; I will come to you. In a little while the world will see me no more, but you will still see me; because I am living, you will be living also. At that time, you will recognize that I am in the [Mother]/Father, and you in me, and I in you. It is they who have my commandments and keep them that love me; and the person who loves me will be loved by my [Mother]/Father, and I will love her, and will reveal myself to her.
These are words of wisdom from the Community of John, and we affirm them as the Community of the Upper Room, with AMEN.
Homily Starter: Deb Trees
In our minds eye, we know and see God as a spirit and as a person. Although predominantly God in our culture has been given a masculine persona, there are many references in the Bible to God as a mother.
This view of God as mother is important for us to embrace. Jesus refers to it and has this experience with the God of his life. He tries to expand the thoughts of the people around him to see the God of the Israelites as a mothering servant.
In the past several weeks, we’ve all seen lots of advertisements for Mother’s Day. As we prepare to remember our mothers and the mothers in our lives, we are given special guidance to make sure that we take care of them. We are encouraged to make them feel as special as they have made us feel in our lives. But there was one ad that I saw that really impressed me for today’s theme of God as mother. “I would not be me if it were not for you.” (Marketing – advertising for Floral Company for Mother’s Day as seen on TV, 5-1-2026)
When I heard this, I was reminded of Tom Going, our faithful friend, benefactor and companion. He told us about Ubuntu from African tradition and made sure that we knew its meaning: I am because we are. Most of the time when we would say that as human beings we’re speaking to each other. We might say it to a loved one or to a family group or to our tribe. But what if we were saying something a little different today.
The ad I saw was many mothers in different situations around children, and the ad ended with “I would not be me if it were not for you.” The mothers saying it to their children.
Today, I hear God saying that to us! God needs us just as much as we need God. God as a mothering servant. I am because you are.
Jesus tried to teach us these things and show us, especially in relation to opening our mind about women. He was always including his mother, and she was there for him every step of the way right to his very end. There was a special relationship there. She taught him what he knew about being Inclusive. And he, as a man of his time, then tried to teach his tribe and the people around him.
That spirit that guides us, cares for us, cradles us, shelters us, needles us, also grows with each of us in love and depth. The Actions of Mothering happen all around us as God our Mother becomes one of us. Jesus could see this side of Spirit. And he tries to open our minds to this facet of our usual vision of an Omnipotent and Powerful God.
But this soft side takes form WITH our companionship and accompaniment. Never in a vacuum. God needs us just as much as we need Her.
What did you hear my friends? Please share your insights and wisdom.
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.
Prayers of the Community
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 blessings, cares and concerns.
We bring these and all deeply held blessings, cares, and concerns to the table of friendship and peace.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
With open hands let us pray our Eucharistic Prayer together:
Holy One, we yearn to be close to you and to live in the embrace of your gentle wisdom. Your divine grace and love lead us away from our anxieties, fears and distractions and toward all that is blessed and joyous.
Each of us is divinely created in Your image. We are precious to you and to each other because of who we are. We are beloved and blessed in your unconditional love, quite apart from how we act or fail to act.
Thankful for Jesus who treated all of Creation with respect and abundant love, we resolve to follow his example to be a light in the darkness. We recognize Your loving Presence here with us today and always, and we sing:
Holy, Holy, Holy: Here in This Place by Christopher Grundy
Dearest Holy One, there are times when we feel scarcity and emptiness even though we know You love us more than our human imagination can grasp. May we have the presence of mind to live in Your love. We strive to see You reflected in every person we meet. Guide us in sharing our gifts and in being open hearted so that we may accept help from others.
We thank you for Jesus, who knew what it was like to be an outsider in occupied and foreign lands. May his presence prompt us to bring gospel kindness and understanding to the divisions and conflicts of our time.
Please extend your hands in blessing.
We call upon your Spirit that is present in us at this Eucharistic table. We are grateful for the bread and wine that remind us of our call to be the light of Christ to the world.
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.
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.
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.
Let us share this bread and cup to proclaim and live the gospel of justice and peace, using the words: You are the face of the Holy One.
Communion Song: Standing on the Shoulders by Joyce Johnson Rouse (Earth Mama)
https://youtu.be/4ax09Nokve4?si=V1gXzsnihcbYrrBk
Post-Communion Prayer
Holy One, your transforming grace inspires us to follow our consciences and bring comfort to wherever people are in need. We pray for wisdom, patience and persistence to make a difference in our world. We resolve to love as Jesus loved, to discern the better angels of our nature with hearts open to your Spirit. Amen.
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
Please raise your hands in blessing:
Blessings to each of us as we go on our way into the world. We bring the beauty and love of the Mother with us. We shine with dignity and caring for ourselves and those around us. We search for ways to support the work of peace and justice in our world. May it be so.
Closing Song: I love my Mama. LunchMoney Lewis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iagEc50WcVg
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