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Elaine: Welcome and Theme:
Again, we welcome one another to our liturgy. It is the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time. As the calendar year comes further to a close, we focus our attention on the active choices we make personally and communally to foster life evolving universally in the Creator’s unconditional love.
Peace Prayer
https://youtu.be/IGAGp1Rh2SI?is=df1AhJmGWv8hWMJ7
Lynn - Opening Prayer: Holy One, together we seek wisdom in today’s scripture about how to make tough choices; and in our time, there are similar choices to be made between complicity and resistance, between exploitation and integrity or respect including, self-respect. As always, we are grateful for your presence with us, and for the blessing of being together to learn from each other. Amen
Opening Song: This Is My Song performed by 1st Methodist Houston Choir
(Music: Finlandia by Jean Sebelius; Lyrics by Lloyd Stone)
https://youtu.be/nbAf-NS5PJI?si=3tliACLqbpz-WsF5
LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading: A reading from the letter to the Philippians (Phil. 4: 6-8)
Dismiss all anxiety from your minds, instead, present your need to God through prayer and petition, giving thanks for all circumstances. Then God’s own peace, which is beyond all understanding, will stand guard over your hearts and minds.
Finally, sisters and brothers, – kin among kindred – your thoughts should be directed to all that is true, all that deserves respect, all that is honest, pure, decent, admirable, and worthy of praise. Live according to what you have learned and accepted. Then will the God of peace be with you. {Phil 4:8 italics added}
These are the words of the apostle known as Paul and we affirm them with Amen.
Gospel Acclamation: Celtic Alleluia by Christopher Walker
Gospel: A reading from the Gospel writer known as Mathew (Mt. 25:14-30)
A wealthy landowner was going away on a long journey so he called in three workers, entrusting some funds to them. The first was given five talents; to another, two talents; to a third, one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went away.
Immediately, the worker who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who had received two made another two.
But the worker who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried the money.
After a long absence the master returned and settled accounts with them.
The one who had received five talents came forward saying, “You entrusted me with five talents. See, I have made five more.”
His master said, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were dependable in a small matter, I will put you in charge of larger affairs. Come, share my joy!”
The servant who had received two talents then came forward with the additional two, saying, “You entrusted me with two talents; here are two more.”
The landowner said to this one, “Cleverly done! You too are a good and faithful worker. Since you were dependable in a small matter, I will put you in charge of larger affairs. Come, share my joy!”
Then the one who had received one talent came forward and said,
“knowing your ruthlessness–you who reap where you did not sow and gather where you did not scatter – and fearing your wrath, I went off and buried you’re your talent in the ground. Here it is back.
The landowner exclaimed, “You worthless, lazy lout! So, you know that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter, do you? All the more reason to deposit my money with bankers so that on my return I could have had it back with interest! You there! Take the talent away from him and give it to the one with ten.”
Those who have will get more until they grow rich, while those who have not will lose even the little they have. but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
Throw this worthless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
These are the words of the gospel writer known as Mathew and we affirm them with Amen.
(pause)
Shared Homily – Elaine
These days on the liturgical calendar we look in the same direction as one year ends and another begins. Buoyed by the Living Waters theme in the Season of Creation a short month ago, steeped in the powerful loving Presence experienced in All Saints and All Souls Days two weeks ago, and moving toward Advent at the end of this month we reflect on the new liturgical calendar beginning the cycle again in both chronological and Kairos time .
We join the ancient Community at Phillipi, a Roman colony in Macedonia whose citizens were largely retired Roman soldiers. The words attributed to Paul in the first reading were no doubt greatly influenced by prominent women leaders : Lydia, Euodia (E- o- dee- a), and Synthche ( Sin – chay). We are redirected from pressure in a military industrial complex toward God-like virtues valued in the Wisdom traditon: nobility of the human person, alignment with divine intention, increasing influence in and for the common good.
The phrase “military industrial complex” was popularized in the late 1950’s by non-other than a 5 star General in the U.S. Army, our 34th President Dwight D Eisenhower. In his farewell address on January 17, 1961 he clearly warned us of the perils that besiege us in the insidious relationships among a country’s military, defense contractors, and government officials. In an early draft of his speech, President Eisenhower used the term military-industrial-congressional complex. He was advised to drop the word congressional because it was deemed too confrontational politically.
Despite Eisenhower’s warning, shared by many prominent voices like Joe Biden, Jane Adams, Albert Einstein, Helen Keller, and Martin Luther King Jr – we Americans find ourselves in yet another war for profit. As another Veterans Day approaches, let’s be clear about our love for the women and men in the armed forces who served while we stand against the structures that adore greed rather than global justice.
So, I’m particularly cherishing Jesus’ parable popularly known as The Parable of the Talents. The Message translation in contemporary language entitles this passage as The Story About Investments. The master in this reading is usually understood to be an authority figure representing God. However, I’m staunchly with the author Amy Jill Levine who warns against automatically identifying every authority figure in Jesus’ parables with God.” Note, for example, that the master describes himself as “a harsh man, reaping where I did not sow and gathering where I did not scatter.” That’s not the God with whom Jesus - and we -are united.
I believe Jesus is leading us to wonder if the master is actually exploiting others. A talent in Jesus’ time was the largest unit of currency representing 20 years of wages for a common laborer. When the servant safeguards the treasure, perhaps the servant is choosing integrity over profit. In that interpretation we might realize: that is what faithful resistance looks like – regardless of the cost to ourselves.
Upper Room is all about faithful resistance! We know what we’re standing against. And we know what we are working toward.
And here we might circle back to the wisdom in the first of our Readings today where we are urged to direct our thoughts “to all that is true, all that deserves respect, all that is honest, pure, decent, admirable and worthy of praise.” Our public activism flows from the inner work we do – that is, directing our thoughts. Modern discoveries in neuro-science reveal our human brains as “constantly changing in response to what [we] repeatedly think, feel, experience, and practice. This ability is known as neuroplasticity. “[ChatGPT] And so, in directing our thoughts, including our memories ~ toward the goodness we desire, we are better equipped to engage in co-creating the kindom on Earth.
Let’s pause to reflect now on what we’ve heard in the liturgy so far.
When you’re ready, please share to complete the homily today.
Thank you, Friends.
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.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Prayers of the Community
As we prepare for the sacred meal, please voice your intentions beginning with the words, “I bring to the table”,’
We bring the intentions shared and those we hold in our hearts to the table of friendship and peace. Amen.
Eucharistic Prayer
Let us pray our Eucharistic prayer with open hearts and hands:
ALL: Holy One, we yearn to be close to you and to live in the embrace of your gentle wisdom. Your divine grace leads us away from our anxieties, fears and distractions and toward all that is blessed and joyous so that we might live in the Spirit and serve the cause of justice
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. We resolve to look upon all our sisters and brothers as precious and deserving so that we can live in harmony and peace
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
https://youtu.be/uXyu57tR2gk?si=53zwEjCLjcGJQnBK
All: 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.
All: 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.
Lift the 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)
Let us share this bread and cup to proclaim and live the gospel of justice and peace. Please pass the bread with the phrase, You are the face of the Divine.
Communion Song: “By the Stream” by Christopher Grundy
https://youtu.be/bKL3RvAEc9w?si=fX5Xz06xbWYSYrI2
Prayer after Communion:
All: Loving Source of our being, you call us to live the Gospel of peace and justice. We choose to live justly, love tenderly, and walk with integrity in Your Presence. 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.
Your transforming grace inspires us to follow our consciences and bring comfort 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.
Prayer of Jesus
Let us pray as Jesus taught us:
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 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 extend your hands in blessing to bless each other.
ALL: May the infinite beauty and joy of Creation continue to astound us
May the Presence of the Divine always comfort and inspire us
May we be guided to the patience and balance to continue to live our values of love and extravagant generosity and resist cruelty and corruption.
AMEN.
Closing Song: "PEOPLE HAVE THE POWER" by Patti Smith & Choir! Choir! Choir!
https://youtu.be/y6Wz3i_BYUc?is=lX7eUl6U3bJM3K9E
[Verse 1]
I was dreaming in my dreaming
Of an aspect bright and fair
And my sleeping, it was broken
But my dream, it lingered near
In the form of shining valleys
Where the pure air recognized
And my senses newly opened
I awakened to the cry
[Pre-Chorus]
That the people have the power
To redeem the work of fools
Upon the meek the graces shower
It's decreed: the people rule
[Chorus]
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
[Verse 2]
Vengeful aspect became suspect
And bending low as if to hear
And the armies ceased advancing
Because the people had their ear
And the shepherds and the soldiers
Lay beneath the stars
Exchanging visions and laying arms
To waste in the dust
[Pre-Chorus]
In the form of shining valleys
Where the pure air recognized
And my senses newly opened
I awakened to the cry
[Chorus]
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
[Verse 3]
Where there were deserts I saw fountains
Like cream the waters rise
And we strolled there together
With none to laugh or criticize
And the leopard and the lamb
Lay together truly bound
I was hoping in my hoping
To recall what I had found
[Pre-Chorus]
I was dreaming in my dreaming
God knows a purer view
As I surrender to my sleeping
I commit my dream to you
[Chorus]
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
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