Before you begin…

The eucharistic prayers that are presented in these liturgies are designed to be recited by several members or by groups of community members. The consecratory prayers belong to the entire community and may be vocalized in that spirit, rather than by a single presider.

The Prayer of Jesus is an inclusive prayer; therefore it is recommended that the prayer would begin with either: "Our Father and Mother who art...." or with: "Our God, who art..." or with some alternative inclusive form of address for God.

There are not many "how-to's" prescribed, because spontaneity and creativity are encouraged as much as possible. It is assumed that the worshipping community will wish to create a beautiful and sacred atmosphere in which to celebrate the eucharistic mystery in a way that is uniquely theirs. There are no rules about preparing the gathering place. Let the inspiration come from the hearts of those who come together and let joy be the hallmark of its expression.

It is my hope that these liturgies will serve as a creative impulse to inspire your own Spirit energies in designing eucharistic celebrations suited to your faith community.

Liturgy of New Wine

Introduction of Theme:

When Jesus took up his ministry for the first time, it was because his mother told him: "They have no more wine." He began his public work that day at a marriage in Cana of Galilee. In Jesus' time the joy, which is represented by the wine, was missing from the experience of God. The rich sap of our human nature was separated from the experience of God. To feel the God who lived inside and know the goodness of God's Spirit flowing through our veins - that is what people lacked in the Judaism of the time. Jesus brought back the knowledge and the experience of God living inside us, flowing like wine through our humanity. Maybe that is what his mother innately understood that he must do when she so innocently launched him on his way. She may have known him better than he knew himself at that point and realized he was ready.

Today we will honor that combination of water and wine, divinity and humanity that flow through the human nature we share.

Opening Song:

Greeting of Peace:

God, be with us in your dwelling place as we gather to reflect on the joy of being yours. We greet one another in recognition of that joyful mystery that we share.

Opening Prayer:

Let us pray: Creator of us all, you have provided water and wine and all the harvest of the earth to nurture and cheer us. May we, in turn, bring joy to you as we celebrate our common bond and learn to love one another with the love you have first given us.

Readings:

Exodus 17:1-7

Song of Songs 7: 7-11

John 2: 1-11

Homily:

The reading from the book of Exodus tells us that God will go to any length to bring the life-giving water of divinity to us to aid our human weakness, no matter how parched the desert in which we wander. Mere human beings, like Moses, who listen for divine guidance can find marvelous ways to deliver God’s assistance to themselves and others.

The Song of Songs tells us of how greatly God desires to have a full and total union with us. God craves and longs for our humanity as a bride longs for her bridegroom and a bridegroom for his bride. Our human experience is like fine wine that slakes that great thirst and brings joy to the Holy One.

At Cana, there was a turning point for all time. The real “trick” was only symbolized in the turning of water into wine. It is what that means that’s important! Jesus demonstrated for us that God – the unknowable God whose Face cannot be seen without destroying the one who looks upon it – has been “turned into” flesh! The water jars used for ritual cleansing represent a form of religion that only touches the outside of the human person. It is concerned with external forms. Jesus used that water (not just any water) to show what needed to be transformed, or taken to a higher level. So in using the jars of water that had been set aside for this purpose, he showed that a higher form of “cleansing” could be done internally, by allowing the joy of God’s spirit to flow inside us in our very being. God needs to be experienced inside and out for the fullness of spiritual growth.

Shared Dialogue:

The community shares its thoughts on this theme.

Intercessions:

That each one of us may take responsibility for both our human and divine natures we pray…

(Response: God of our joy, hear us!)

That all the nations of the world may be set free from religious rivalry and conflict and experience the God who dwells within and makes us all one family we pray...

That the sick, the lonely, the aged and the homeless will find comfort and the care they need we pray…

That our departed loved ones and all those who have died recently may share in the joyous reunion of God’s kingdom we pray…

Presentation of the Bread and Wine:

(Hold up bread and wine) Blessed are you, God of all life, through your goodness we have bread, wine, all creation, and our own lives to offer. Through this sacred meal may we become your new creation.

Eucharistic Prayer (with mingling of water and wine):

Creator God, bubbling fountain of joy and creativity, we have not begun to know the depths of your love poured out to us. You have mingled yourself with your creation in a dance of wedded love and bliss.

We thank you for the never-ending faithfulness with which you maintain the blending of your divinity with our humanity, no matter what we creatures do with your gift. Long before we could understand your gift, you were our God. As we continue to grow in awareness of your union with us, bless us with compassion and with hearts like your own to light up all creation with love.

All:Holy, holy, holy, God of all creation! God of water and wine, spirit and matter! Blessed are we who have tasted of your life inside us!

We recall the memory of our sisters and brothers in faith who have gone before us. We thank you for the mingling of their lives with yours and for the precious gifts and example they have left behind for our inheritance. As we mingle water and wine in this cup, let us all mingle our lives, our well-being and our spirits with theirs and with yours, Almighty God, in the wine of our common life. (Mingle water and wine in the cup as the community names people whose lives have been a special manifestation of Christ for all.)

The night before he was delivered up Jesus took bread into his hands and, raising his heart and eyes to you, gave thanks and said: “Take this and eat it. This is my body. Do this in remembrance of me.”

At the end of the meal, he took a cup filled with wine; again Jesus gave you thanks and said: “This is the new covenant of my blood which I shed for you and for all creation so that all may be reconciled again. Every time you do this, do it in memory of me.”

The Eucharistic Acclamation:

All: In all that has ever been, Christ has lived; in all that has gone before us, Christ has died; in all that yet shall be, Christ will come again!

So now, as we have taken time to refresh ourselves in these sacred mysteries, recalling the true meaning and wonder of your union with us, help us to re-commit ourselves to the journey of God’s adventure with humanity and all our planet. Let us claim our power and our joy. Teach us to accept our struggles, limitations, and burdens as Jesus did, with humility and hope. Enlighten our minds to find humane and compassionate solutions to the problems plaguing our world. Teach us to listen to the quiet depths of our hearts where your wellsprings ever refresh our stale thinking and tired caring. Live in us, O God! Live fully in us as never before!

All: Through Christ and in Christ and with Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, our God, forever and ever. Amen.

The Prayer of Jesus: (Traditional or new version)

Breaking of Bread:

(Hold up bread and wine) Let us share the Body and Blood of Christ with the Body and Blood of Christ! Amen.

Communion Meditation Song:

Prayer after Communion:

Let us pray: O God, we thank you for the life of Jesus and all of those who taught us the balance of sorrow and joy, work and rest, giving and receiving. Remain with us as we go out into the world and live the joy you have shared with us.

Final Blessing of Community:

May the joy of God’s presence fill your being and overflow to everyone you meet. May you be water and wine to your world! Amen.