Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday, August 30, 2025
August 30, 2025
Responder: Rita
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87935930592?pwd=qZlKA506MIS9okXQQxBkaKsyhsZJDV.
Rita:
This Sunday's focus is on humility and service to others, with scripture readings from Sirach, Hebrews, and the Gospel of Luke. Jesus teaches that the humble will be lifted up, not by self-exaltation, but through genuine care for those who cannot repay. This is exemplified by Jesus' invitation at a banquet to invite the poor, the lame, and the blind, rather than those who can offer reciprocal favors.
As we begin our service, let us take this opportunity to celebrate that oneness with each other in a song
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=j3qkB7gucDk&si=0_KIpmTa8vkpTPVq
Opening Prayer Gina
God of compassion, we celebrate your gift of love often, for it is evident in the unfolding of your creation through the events of our lives. We have gathered here together at this time, conscious that the Spirit of Wisdom moves in each one of us – every day- as She has moved in all of creation since the very beginning of life. We give you thanks for having come among us in the person of Jesus of Nazareth centuries ago, who has shown us that, even today, we can experience you among our brothers and sisters. We rejoice that Jesus, during his time on earth, showed us how we could experience your sacredness in our personal lifestyles - in our own ordinary and everyday behaviors - and how that can enable us to be the better persons and more welcoming neighbors to all our brothers and sisters that you created us to be. Amen.
Community Forgiveness Penny
God, Father and Mother of Compassion, through Jesus’ life here on earth, he revealed to us that nothing can ever separate us from your unconditional love for us. Jesus sent the HOLY Spirit to give us the understanding and the willingness that we need so that we can love one another as He would have us do. And now, we ask you to grant us the grace of pardon and peace so that we may forgive each other our failures to care for one another and for our planet earth. We do this in the names of Jesus, our brother, and of the Wisdom Spirit, our healer and comforter. Amen.
Intro to Readings Karla
Today is a time that our Gracious God has made for us to be together, so let us take this opportunity to celebrate and rejoice in our oneness now with one another in song. In recognition of God’s blessing, let us sing “Glory to God…”
https://youtu.be/_lA5I0nODZI
Liturgy of the Word.
Jaycee First Reading: Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
A reading from the book of Sirach.
My children, be gentle in all that you do, and you will be loved by the blessed.
The bigger you become, the more you should humble yourself, and you will find favor with YHWH.
Do not pry into things beyond your circumstances or delve into what is beyond your limits of understanding.
The wise take proverbs to heart; every sage is a good listener.
As water douses flames, so charitable giving atones for sins.
The Word of God. R. Thanks be to God!
Psalm 68 Kathy N.
R: God, in Your goodness, You have made a home for the poor.
Let the righteous be joyful; / let them exult before God; Let them be jubilant with joy; / sing to God, sing praises to God's Name.
R: God, in Your goodness, You have made a home for the poor.
Father of the fatherless, mother of the orphan, / and protector of the weak is God. God gives the desolate a home to dwell in / and leads the prisoners to prosperity.
R: God, in Your goodness, You have made a home for the poor.
Rain in abundance, O God, You shed abroad; / You restored Your heritage as it languished. Your flock found a dwelling in it; / in Your goodness, O God, You provided for the needy.
R: God, in Your goodness, You have made a home for the poor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LG4vOX6oJk
Gospel Reading: Luke 14:1, 7-14 John
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.
One Sabbath, when Jesus came to eat a meal in the house of one of the leading Pharisees, the guests watched him closely. Jesus addressed a parable to the guests, noticing how they were trying to get a place of honor at the table. “When you are invited to a wedding party, do not sit in the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished has been invited. Otherwise, the hosts might come and say to you, ‘Make room for this person,’ and you would have to proceed shamefacedly to the lowest place. What you should do is go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your hosts approach you, they will say, ‘My friend, come up higher.’ This will win you the esteem of the other guests. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Then Jesus said to the host, “Whenever you give a lunch or dinner, do not invite your friends or colleagues or relatives, or wealthy neighbors. They might invite you in return and thus repay you. No, when you have a reception, invite those who are poor or have physical infirmities, or are blind. You should be pleased that they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.
The Good News of Salvation!
R. Glory and praise to our Savior Jesus Christ!
Shared Homily and Community Reflection
Profession of Faith Linda and Thersa alternate verses
We believe in the Divine Mystery, God, the Creator of the universe whose divinity infuses all that exists or ever will -- making everything, everywhere, forever sacred.
We believe in Jesus of Nazareth, the enlightened person who carried the message of God’s word wherever He went. He showed us, through his example, how we can heal ourselves and others; Jesus was—and still is—the heart of God’s compassion. Jesus is the bright star in the firmament of God’s prophets, mystics, and saints that lived then and will do so in all the tomorrows of the planets that will ever exist. And it is through Jesus that we become a new people with one story, one that calls us beyond the consequences of our brokenness. We are here on earth to share His message, namely that we are all holy people, that we were all born holy, and that we shall be holy forevermore.
We believe in the Wisdom Spirit, who keeps the Christ vision present to all those who are searching for meaning and wholeness in their lives. She is the Sustainer who heals and energizes us when our spirits may grow weary on our journeys. She strengthens our calls to follow Jesus as a vehicle of God’s love. It is through her shared strength with us that we can pray “Amen to the partnership and equality of all people of different genders, races, and faiths. It is because of her that we can seriously believe in a world of justice and peace for everyone, everywhere, with no exceptions.
And it is through the grace of the Creator, of Jesus, and of the Spirit that we know that God’s kindom is here with us now and will always be for those with eyes to recognize it, hearts to receive it, and hands to spread it to everyone we meet.
Prayers of the Community Barbara
We are, indeed, a family of friends, one that has a variety of needs for each one’s individual journey. Since “we are a people of faith” - as we proclaim in our prayers and actions - we bring our needs of all sorts to our “tables of concerns and care” to God, to Jesus, to the Wisdom Spirit, and to one another at this time.
After each intercession, we respond: Compassionate God, we ask that you bless our petitions and strengthen us on our journeys.
Healing God, you faithfully listen to our prayers and our concerns, and we are grateful for that. We ask you to increase in us the care for one another and our works for justice, equality, and peace, all without violence. R
Passing of the peace Juanita
Jesus, you said to your disciples, “My peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Look at the faith of the community celebrating this liturgical service and grant all of them your peace. Following your example and with the strength of the Spirit, help us spread that peace throughout the world, to everyone, everywhere, with no exceptions. Amen.
Gathering of the Gifts (Karen)
Merciful God, we - your people – are united in the sacrament gathering by our common love of Jesus. We are in communion with everyone, everywhere, who shares your gift of compassion, especially those who are marginalized and oppressed. May we love tenderly as we attempt to do justice and walk humbly with you in solidarity with our sisters and brothers. May we live always witnesses to the gospel of Jesus. And now, in joyful song, we celebrate our unity with you, with Jesus, and with one another. Let us now lift our hearts and share our voices.
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=M8zEXBjO10E
Eucharistic Prayer
We thank you, loving and compassionate God for the gift of Jesus of Nazareth in history – and the gift of Jesus the Christ in faith. You brought him from among all your people on earth to bless us with your Spirit. His life was moved by his consuming vision of your presence in himself and in his mission. He showed us, through his examples, not only how we should live, but also what we might even die for…as he did.
Penny When his time on earth had come to an end, Jesus – aware of and accepting his destiny – gave up his life as a witness of the values that he deeply believed, lived and taught…namely, that his conviction that love is stronger than death. And then, in providing an example of this wisdom for all the peoples in ages to come, he followed his mission and for that, “paid the price” for doing so. Then the Spirit raised him from the dead and, through that resurrection blessing, showed us that life is eternal and that love is immortal. And that same Spirit that lived in Jesus will be resurrected in each one of us. The Jesus of history and faith is with us today as He will be through the end of time. And the Spirit that lived in Jesus raised Him to a new life. That Spirit of His resurrection is promised to each one of us as well.
Offertory:
Offering of the Gifts:
Gerry: 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.
Pattie: Blessed are you, Creator, 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.
Karen: 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.
Prayer over the Gifts
Nick: We are grateful for the bread and wine and those who carefully tended the grapes and wheat that remind us of our call to be Your Presence in the world.
We are ever aware of your Spirit in us and among us. We invoke your Spirit anew upon these simple gifts of bread and wine, that they may become for us the + Body and Blood of Christ. (adapted from All Desires Known – Janet Morley p. 137)
Karla: We remember the gift that Jesus gave us on the night before he died. He gathered with his friends to share a final Passover meal. And it was at that supper that Jesus took the bread, said the blessing, and shared it with them, saying: Take this all of you and eat it. This bread is you; this bread is me: remember me and all that I have taught you. This is the new and everlasting covenant.
In the same way, Jesus took a cup of wine, said the blessing, and gave it to his friends, saying, "Take this all of you and drink it." This wine is you; this wine is me. We are one blood, the presence of God in the world. When you do this, remember me and all that I have taught you. This is the new and everlasting covenant.
Jesus, who was with God “in the beginning of the creation of the heavens and the earth,” is with us now, in your bread. The Spirit, of whom the prophets spoke in history, is with us now, in your cup. Let us proclaim this mystery of our faith.
All: Jesus has died; Christ is risen; and the Cosmic Christ lives in us…and loves through us – in the world today. He will do so tomorrow and forever.
The Prayer of Jesus Chrys and Chris alternate verses
Our Creator, who is in heaven and in all of us here on earth, the rich and the poor, the well-satisfied and the hungry, the free and the oppressed, the leadership and the marginalized, and everyone in circles of their communities, and especially those who have been excluded in their societies.
May your kingdom come and your will be done in our actions as we struggle with the complexities of the world and seemingly try to confront greed and the desires of the poor people gathered among themselves, who seem to be plentiful in our nation and throughout the entire global community.
Give us this day our daily bread; bread that we are called to share, bread that you have given us abundantly, and the bread that we should distribute fairly while nourishing those who are healthy and needy people, both groups who are part of your holy family.
Forgive us our trespasses, those times that we have turned away from the struggles of other people and countries, and for those times we have thought primarily – and sometimes even only – of our own selves.
Strengthen us in times of temptation, the temptations to close our minds, our ears, and our eyes to the unfair global systems that create ever-larger and long-lasting gaps between the rich and the poor…the temptations to think that some things are just too complex a situation to deal with, and it is too difficult to consider other alternatives.
Deliver us from evil, the evil of the world where violence happens even in your name, where the wealth of a few is more important than the economic rights of all, where gates and other barriers between people are considered just too difficult to resolve to bring about peaceful situations.
May your kindom come, O God, for you will bring about peace and justice in the blessed time to come. Amen…and Allelui
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=u3gkqhd2_0g
Communion
This is the time we will consume the blessed bread and drink that we have consecrated in this Celebration that has become the Body and Blood of Jesus.
Communion Meditation
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=-D7gKjk_bGw
Closing Blessing Juanita
(with hands raised toward one another, let us pray)
Compassionate and loving Abba God, may the Eucharist that we just shared move us deeply in our oneness with you and with one another. May our hearts be glad on our journeys as we dream new dreams and see new visions. May we all live and work for peace, justice, and nonviolence in our hearts for ourselves and for our sisters and brothers, whoever they are and wherever they may be. May we always remember, with gratitude, that we are your face in the World. Amen.
Dismissal: Galen
Closing Song –
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=JG5TM9ptyEc
