Embracing a Common Future

 

 

Edmund Rice Christian Brothers

North America

Thursday, 09 August 2007

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New Wineskins for New Wine

MISSIONING SERVICE

CREED-SOWING OF SEEDS

 

"A man throws seed on the land.

Night and day, while he sleeps,

when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing;

how, he does not know." (Mark 4:26-28)

I believe that this is one of the earth’s finest moments, that the sun lifting yellows and greens into life of tiny poplar leaves is much like God’s own Spirit of Love lifting life into me.

I believe that the Word of God has many times been planted in my life, often because of another who received the seed in ready soil, brought forth harvest, and shared that goodness with me.

I believe that the call to be a sower of the Word is a privilege and a blessing, that no one can ever earn the right or claim the duty, that it is freely given and a ministry to be constantly celebrated in gratitude.

I believe that usually only God knows what sprouting and greening will come from the Word planted through my ministry. I am content in knowing that I have tried, with the Sower’s grace, to seed that Word in faith and with joy.

Leader: and most of all ...

ALL: I believe in the Sower for all seeds, in the God of Springtime, in the Giver of all good and growing things, my Lord and my God! Amen.

Reading:  Amos 5: 14-15, 21-24

Seek good and not evil--and live!

    You talk about GOD, the God-of-the-Angel-Armies,

    being your best friend.

    Well, live like it, and maybe it will happen.

   

 Hate evil and love good, then work it out in the public square.

    Maybe GOD, the God-of-the-Angel-Armies, will notice your remnant and be gracious.

PAUSE

Leader: and most of all ...

ALL: I believe in the Sower for all seeds, in the God of Springtime, in the Giver of all good and growing things, my Lord and my God! Amen.

Water and Light Ritual

Leader: We bring the world before us. (A bowl is placed at the center of assembled group. Water is poured into the bowl from a jug)

Let this water be a symbol both of our common baptism with all Christians and the source of life shared with each other and all people. (Some salt is poured into the water)

Let this salt be a symbol of the sorrow and bitterness in our broken world. We know too that salt and water can help cleanse and heal. Let us bless ourselves with this salted water as a sign of our commitment to healing divisions between people, within communities, through our prayers and by our actions. (A candle is dipped into the water)

Let this candle stand as the light of Christ, the core and center of our community life. Let it burn brightly in every community across North America where Edmund Rice Christian Brothers gather in seeking the will of our God for our lives. (Everyone is invited forward, as directed,  to bless themselves. )

PAUSE

As we gather may we take these actions to heart and put them into practice. Let us be ambassadors, representatives of Christ in the way we treat one another. May we be forces of unity and peace, truth and charity with one another. Only through your grace, Lord, is this possible, so guide and direct us with your power.

Closing Missioning and Blessing:

Forming a circle and raising an arm in blessing, brothers bless and mission the group. The group voices the italicized responses.

May the Lord bless us in our searching and our questions:

They are the gateway to wisdom, enlightenment and peace, the way to our hearts.

May the Lord bless us in the yearnings of our hearts:

No matter how difficult, they are an energy urging us forward in our quest for God and for others.

May the Lord bless us in our vision:

No matter the climb it is a mountain peak calling us to experience the presence of the Sacred One in new ways.

May the Lord bless us in our decisions:

No matter the mistakes, they are our 'yes' in life, our assent to the listening to God.

Presider: You have been called by God to witness and experience the many faces of your brothers and sisters in their joys and sorrows, hopes and fears.

GROUP:  We have been called.

Presider: You have been gifted by the presence of Christ appealing to you in the faces of the poor as the man Edmund was.

GROUP:  We have been gifted.

Presider: You have been sent by the Spirit of God to respond, as you are, in all your struggles and fragility, to the unmet needs of the people at the margins.

GROUP: We are now being sent.

Presider:

May the light of your soul guide you.

May the light of your soul bless the work you do,

with the secret love and warmth of your hear.

May you see in what you do

the beauty of your own soul.

May the sacredness of your work bring healing,

light and renewal to those who work with you.

Amen.