20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Responder: Kathy N

Greeting: Today is the Feast Day of St. Rose of Lima

St. Rose of Lima, born in 1586 in Lima, Peru, is the first canonized saint of the Americas. She was canonized in 1671 by Pope Clement X. Known for her deep faith, asceticism, and love for the poor, she dedicated her life to prayer and service. She is the patroness of Peru and Latin America and is remembered for her humility, devotion, and efforts to help her community through charitable acts and religious dedication.

Her life was spent in Lima, a colonial city characterized by a blend of European and indigenous influences, with bustling streets, colonial architecture, and a strong Catholic presence. Growing up in a humble, mestizo family, Rose sought solitude and spiritual growth through prayer and asceticism amidst a city marked by social inequality.

Associated miracles include the healing of a young girl, mystical ecstasies, and levitation, which reinforced her reputation for holiness and divine intercession. Although there are no widely recognized or officially verified contemporary miracles, her devotion continues to inspire many believers who pray for her intercession in personal struggles and emergencies

Song:

Opening

Presider:  The grace and peace of our Gentle God, and our brother Jesus, the Christ be with you. R: And, with you.

Gratitude Rite

Presider:  Jesus, model of love and compassion.

R: Strengthen us to be your Love in the world.

Presider:  Jesus, our refuge, and our hope.

R: Strengthen us to be your Peace in the world.

Presider:  Jesus, our truth, and our wisdom.

R: Strengthen us to be your Light in the world.

Presider: Loving God, we graciously receive the gift of your inner presence. May your Word take root in our hearts and bring forth your Life in all our actions. R: Amen

Opening for the Readings   John

As we begin the Liturgy of the Word let us open our hearts to ways scripture might speak to us.

First Reading

First Reading: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10 Gerry

A reading from the book of the prophet Jeremiah.

The officials said to the ruler, “The prophet must be put to death. His words are demoralizing the soldiers left in the city, as well as the populace. He is seeking not what is best for them, but what is worst.” “Do as you wish,” Zedekiah answered, “I cannot do anything to stop you.” So they took Jeremiah and put him into the cistern in the courtyard of the guard, letting him down with ropes. The cistern held no water, only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud. But when Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch in the ruler’s house, learned that Jeremiah had been imprisoned in the cistern, he went to the ruler, who was sitting at the Benjamin Gate. “Your Majesty,” he said, “these officials are acting viciously in their treatment of Jeremiah. They threw him into a cistern where he will starve to death, for there is no more bread in the city.” The ruler instructed Ebed-melech the Ethiopian to take thirty attendants and pull him out of the cistern before he died.

The Word of God. R. Thanks be to God!

Psalm 40   Gina

Response: O God, come to my aid.

I have waited and waited for You, Adonai! Now at last You have stooped to me.
R: O God, come to my aid.
You heard my cry for help. / You have pulled me out of the horrible pit.
R: O God, come to my aid.
Adonai, You have put a new song in my mouth, / a song of praise. Many will look on in awe / and will put their trust in You.
R: O God, come to my aid.
To me, afflicted and poor, / come quickly. My helper, my savior, my God, / come and do not delay.
R: O God, come to my aid.

Second Reading: Hebrews 12:1-4 Chrys

A reading from the letter to the Hebrews.

Therefore, since such a great cloud of witnesses surrounds us, let us lay aside everything that impedes us and the sin that so easily entangles us. Let us run with perseverance the race laid out for us. Let us not lose sight of Jesus, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection. For the sake of the joy to come, Jesus endured the cross, heedless of its shame, and now sits at the right of God’s throne. Think of Jesus — who endured such opposition from sinners — so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggles against sin, you have not resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

The Word of God. R. Thanks be to God!

Song: Alleluia

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 12:49-53

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

Jesus said to the disciples: “I have come to light a fire on the earth. How I wish the blaze were ignited already! There is a baptism I must still receive, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! Do you think I am here to bring peace on earth? I tell you, the opposite is true: I have come to bring division. From now on, a household of five will be divided — three against two and two against three, father against son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

The Good News of Salvation!

R. Glory and praise to our Savior Jesus Christ!

Homily

Statement of Faith (adapted from the Creed by Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan) 

Lucia alternate with Karen:

We believe in the Holy One, Our God, Divine Mystery beyond all definition and understanding God, heart of all that has ever existed, exists, or will exist; whose divinity infuses the entire cosmos, making everything in it sacred.

We believe in the Chosen One, Christ of the Cosmos, God’s Word enfleshed, bringer of healing, of new life and compassion; Christ, who brought us through the consequences of our brokenness to now share life eternal as the Body of Christ.

We believe in the Spirit Wisdom, who strengthens us on our journey to follow Christ as a loving people.

And we believe in God’s reign on earth here and now, and forever. A reign that embraces everyone and reaches all who have eyes to recognize it and hearts to share it with everyone. No exceptions. Amen.

Community Intentions

Linda: As we prepare for our sacred meal, we are all called to serve one another. We bring to this table our blessings, cares, and concerns. Please feel free to voice your prayers beginning with the words, “I bring to the table…

(At the end of each short intention say," Gracious God hear our prayer.)"

We pray for these and all unspoken intentions. Amen.

Sign of Peace:

Nick: Christ Jesus, you said to your friends: I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Look not on our failings, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kin-dom where you live forever and ever. Amen.

The peace of Christ be always with you. R: And, with you.

Let us offer each other a sign of Christ’s peace.

Offering of the Gifts:

JayCee: Blessed are you, God of all creation, for through your goodness. We have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life. R:  Blessed be God forever.

Presider: By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who shared himself in our humanity.

Christine: Blessed are you God of all creation, through your goodness, we have received this wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands, it will become our spiritual drink.

All: Blessed be God forever.

Penny: With humble spirit and loving hearts, may you, O God, accept us, and may the offering that we bring to this table be pleasing to you.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Presider: With open hands and hearts let us pray our Eucharistic Prayer together

John: O Holy One, you have sent prophets and messengers to show us the way-Abraham, Sarah and Hagar, Jesus, Moses, Peter and Paul, Buddha and Mohammad, Hildegard, St Rose, and Mother Teresa.

Janet: Everything we do, we do together with You. We cannot be without You. We cannot be without each other. You are made visible in this world with our acts of love and kindness. With grateful hearts, we raise our voices and sing.

Song: Holy, Holy, Holy

 

Offering of the Gifts:

Barbara: Blessed are you, God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands. It will become for us the bread of life. R:  Blessed be God forever.

Presider: By the mystery of this water and wine, may we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who shared himself in our humanity.

Pat: Blessed are you, God of all creation, through your goodness, we have received this wine. We offer you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands, it will become our spiritual drink. R: Blessed be God forever.

Patti: With humble spirit and loving hearts, accept us, and may the offering that we bring to this table be pleasing to you.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Presider: Please extend your hands over your gifts.

We are ever aware of your Spirit in us and among us at this Eucharistic table. We are grateful for this + bread and wine, which reminds us of our call to be the body of Christ in the world.

Consecration

Presider: Together we pray (lifting cup and plate):

Jesus asked his followers to come together as we do now and to share in his dream of a loving community by taking bread and wine as he had requested, in remembrance of him. We invoke The Holy Spirit on this food so that it may become for us the body and blood of Christ. We lift the bread like Jesus, who said, ‘This is my body, given up for you.’ We lift the cup and say, ‘This is the cup of my blood, shed for you and all.” Do this in my memory.’

We acclaim in faith – All: Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again!!

Presider: Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, Almighty God, forever and ever.

Let us pray the Aramaic LORD’S PRAYER Gina: 

O Cosmic Birther of all radiance and vibration!

Soften the ground of our being and carve out a space within us where your presence can abide.

Fill us with your creativity so that we may be empowered to bear the fruit of your mission.

Let each of our actions bear fruit in accordance with your desire.

Endow us with the wisdom.to produce and share what each being needs to grow and flourish.

Untie the tangled threads of destiny that bind us, as we release others from the entanglement of past mistakes.

Do not let us be seduced by that which would divert us from our true purpose but illuminate the opportunities of the present moment.

For you, are the ground and fruitful vision, the birth, power, and fulfillment, as all is gathered and made whole once again.

Invitation to Communion:

Presider:  We share this bread and cup to proclaim and live the gospel of justice and peace. Please receive this bread with the words: God and I are one.

Communion Song:

 

After Communion

Christine: Holy One, your transforming energy is within us, and we join our hearts with all who are working for a just world. We pray for wise leaders in our religious communities. We pray for courageous and compassionate leaders in our world communities.

Marita: We pray for all of us gathered here, and like Jesus, we open ourselves up to your Spirit, for it is through living as he lived that we awaken to your Spirit within, moving us to glorify you, at this time and always. Amen.

Nick: 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.

Penny: Come, Wisdom Spirit, and lead us to places we would rather not go; expand the horizons of our limited imagination. Awaken in our souls’ dangerous dreams for a new tomorrow and rekindle in our hearts the fire of prophetic enthusiasm.

Written by Diarmuid O’Murchu

Final Blessing

Presider: Please extend your hands as we bless each other. May we truly be Jesus’s disciples, living in joy and love. May we walk together as we support and tend to one another and all creation. Amen.

Dismissal:  Juanita

Closing Song: