Please join us between 9:30 and 9:55 am via Zoom
Here is the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82512159155
phone-in for (audio only).Phone Number: (646) 558-8656
Meeting ID: 825 1215 9155
A Life of Faith and Love, No Matter What
Introduction:
Lindy: The gospels tell of Jesus encouraging everyone to live a life of love and joy, no matter what. He did so, no matter what …He told us to look at the wonder of Nature all around us and know that all will be well.
What does that mean to you? What does it mean to me? What did that probably mean to Jesus?
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LITURGY OF THE WORD
Gospel: Nori
As Jesus was leaving Jericho with the disciples and a large crowd a blind beggar named Bartimaeus ben-Timaeus, was sitting at the side of the road. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and to say, “Heir of David, have pity on me!”
Many people scolded him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the louder, “Heir of David, have pity on me!”
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.”
So they called the blind man. “Don’t be afraid,” they said.
“Get up; Jesus is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, Bartimaeus jumped up and went to Jesus.
Then Jesus said, “What do you want me to do for you?”
Rabbani,” the blind man said, “I want to see.”
Jesus replied, “Go, your faith has saved you.” And immediately Bartimaeus received the gift of sight and began to follow Jesus along the road.
These holy words were written in a gospel known as Mark 10:46-52
Alleluia: Dennis
Second Reading: Kathie
These are the holy words of living poet John O'Donohue written in his book titled Anam Cara:
"It is a starting truth that how you see and what you see determines how and who you will be. Explore your particular staples of vision: "To the fearful eye, all is threatening . To the judgmental eye, everything is closed in definite frames. To the resentful eye, everything is begrudged. To the indifferent eye, nothing calls or awakens. To the inferior eye, everyone else is greater, more beautiful, brilliant and gifted than you. To the loving eye, everything is real. Love is the light in which we see light. If we could look at the world in a loving way, then the world would rise up before us full of invitation, possibility and depth. To recognize how you see things can bring you self-knowledge and enable you to glimpse the treasures your life secretly holds."
Pause
Shared Homily:
Santa: In today’s gospel the words ``Your Faith has healed you" were spoken by Jesus to the blind beggar named Bartimaeus. I'm pretty sure Bartimaeus spent some time trying to decipher what Jesus really meant, yet he followed him anyway. Today I will share my thoughts on what those words mean to me using as a backdrop Lindy's research into the Aramaic meaning of Faith. In modern Aramaic, Faith translates into the word Ehmoohah (phonetically spelled), roughly meaning: Living life reliant on the Holy One.
Ehmoohad or Faith now becomes a verb. It is not just a belief, not just knowing, not just trust; instead it is Actively living out the tenets that guide you throughout all of life.
When I teach my students about Evolution I first need to clarify the difference between science and faith so as not to go to battle down the line with fundamentalists. Ultimately I want them to realize science is based on observable facts and evidence and Faith is not. The students quickly understand Faith is based on a set of beliefs. That definition works for them, but I suggest it is so much more.
I believe Faith (the Active living and reliance on a higher power) comes from looking back on the experiences of our lives to the times when the energy of the Divine was working within us to change our perception and actions. Time needs to be spent deeply listening to the inner voice which may be asking us to SEE in a new way. If in fact our hearts and eyes are open, Faith may be the Grace that is given to sustain us on life’s journey.
The only thing we know about Bartimaeus is that he was a blind beggar. This puts him on the margins of society reliant on the alms of passersby and ultimately reliant on his God. We know he could not see, yet his heart was open and he Saw the light. His life experiences, his deep listening and deep trust allowed him to call out to Jesus inviting endless possibilities.
We live in an age where many people believe they are in total control of their lives. They rely on money and power or education and technology to have all the answers. These people may be actively living yet I would not call that Faith. Faith continues to be actively present in the people of emergent countries who live in dire conditions and perhaps in the Paralympians from all over the world. As I watched the Paralympics, I thought about the internal force that propelled these athletes to beat unimaginable hurdles. Although most of the stories that were told did not mention reliance on a higher power, I believe that the Inner strength, inner trust, and unequivocal knowing were pure gifts , that to me is Faith. John O’Donohue reminds us that by looking at life through loving eyes can change the possibility and depth of your life, perhaps only then can your faith heal you.
You are invited to share your thoughts on today's reading, please remember to unmute yourself
Homily Closing
Lindy: Thank you for sharing the wisdom in your hearts. Our words and our compassion each for the other are like sharing bread and wine. As we receive these words of faith and wisdom, we become faith and wisdom.
Statement of Faith
Nori: Join us as we make our 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.
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Bring Prayers to the Table
Lindy: Now we bring all our cares and concerns to this Holy Table. If you want to speak raise your hand if you are here in the room, or tap the hand on the lower center of your Zoom screen to tell us of that you wish to bring your prayers to the table.
Dennis will close with our last prayers.
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LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Lindy: Please join us, with arms raised, in praying the Eucharistic Prayer.
Pause
Great Mystery surrounding us, we lift up our hearts to understand that our spirits are one. You are with us, and we live. Everything lives because of you, and everything is one.
Your wisdom moves among us like the wind, and we are blessed.
So now we enter into the oneness of creation, attune ourselves to join in the harmony, let ourselves embrace that oneness with thankfulness and joy. And so, we join with all of creation and sing in glory for the beauty that encircles us.
Holy, Holy: Here in This Place by Christopher Grundy
Santa: Creator of the whole universe, we glory in the environment, especially forests, that surround us. May we have the vision and strength to protect all forest ecosystems and the whole of Your creation, which have been corrupted by human exploitation, pollution, and destruction, so that the whole of creation may be renewed and made whole.
We join with the earth and with each other, to bring new life to the land, to restore the waters, to refresh the air.
We join with the earth and with each other to renew the forests, to care for the plants, to protect the creatures.
We join with the earth and with each other to celebrate the seas, to rejoice in the sunlight, to sing the song of the stars.
We join together as many and diverse expressions of one loving mystery: for the healing of the earth and the renewal of life.
We join together and call the Spirit upon the gifts of the earth, bread and wine, as we bless them and remember our call to be the Body of Christ in the world.
On the night before he died, Jesus sat at a table with friends and re-lived with them his work, his teaching and wisdom of the universe. Then he went among them as a servant would, washing their feet, touching their hearts.
Lindy: 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
Lindy: Then he took the cup of blessing, spoke the grace, and offered it to them saying:
“Take and drink…. Whenever you remember me like this, I am among you.”
Pause
Santa: 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.
Please receive this blessed bread and cup with the words, “As we receive these words of faith and wisdom, we become faith and wisdom.
Communion Meditation:
Prayer Of Jesus
Lindy: Let us pray the prayer Jesus:
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)
Moment of Silence…
BLESSING
Santa: Let us raise our hands and pray our closing blessing:
Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.
Closing Song:
On Eagle’s Wings by Michael Joncas
