A UNIVERSAL EUCHARISTIC LITURGY - Rite 2
(The celebrant introduces the Mass and greets the community)
INVOCATION
Priest: Fullness there, fullness here, from fullness fullness proceeds. Once fullness has proceeded from fullness, fullness remains.
All: Let it be
Or
Priest: From the unreal lead us to the Real! From darkness lead us to light! From death lead us to immortality!
All: Let it be
Or
Priest: Divine Creator of Light,
Loving Redeemer unblemished,
Gentle Spirit of Wisdom,
One and the Same and Ageless,
All: Welcome!
Receiving the aspergill, the Priest makes the sign of the Cross over himself with it, saying:
P: May the God purify me that I may worthily perform this service.
Sprinkling the altar in the middle, then the chancel to his left and to his right, he continues:
P: In the strength of the God do I repel all evil from this this holy altar and sanctuary,
Turning to the people and sprinkling them with the same motion:
P: And from this house wherein we worship the Divine Light;
Turning back to the altar and resigning the aspergill:
P: And I pray our Divine Creator will send the holy angel to build for us a spiritual temple through which God’s strength and blessing may be poured forth upon God’s people; through God’s redemptive grace.
C: Let it be.
Priest: As our body is made clean by this water, may our eternal essence be made spotless by Your Grace and illumined by Your Light. In all times and all places God annointed and inspired prophets to reveal the paths to life or death. To some God revealed the Ten Commandments; to some the Laws of Manu; to some the Eight-fold path; to others the Shariah; but to all the Spirit of Wisdom imparted conscience to know right from wrong. I ask each of you to examine your heart according to the measure of Divine Illumination that God has given you and for which you gave thanks in receipt.
(After a period of reflection …)
Priest: Let us concede our sin.
All: That which I
Believe in my eternal essence,
Uphold in my heart,
Witness through my lips,
I then denied in thought and
Abandoned in action.
Through my pretense of faith
I slid back toward darkness,
Though the Light of forever moved not.
In grief,
In shame,
In regret,
I turn once more from darkness,
I bend my wayward will,
I lift my eyes to Redeemer:
Praise to the refuge of all
Praise to the most merciful
Praise to the spotless one
Praise to the destroyer of sin
Praise to the protector of the just
Praise to the remover of ignorance.
(The celebrant, holding the right hand up, facing the people, pronounces the following formula of absolution:)
Priest: May the God of peace who brought from the dead our Redeemer, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal and universal covenant, cleanse you from all your wrong doings and strengthen you with everything good, that you may do God’s will, working in you that which is pleasing in God’s sight, through our Redeemer to whom be glory for ever and ever.
All: Let it be.
(All exchange a sign of the peace.)
LIGHTING OF THE CANDLE OF PEACE
(A large candle on the altar is lit by the celebrant.)
Priest: Worthy is the Light of Lights!
All: Praise to the divine light
Praise to the true light
Praise to the light of life
Praise to the light of the world
Praise to the light of the self
Praise to the inner light.
Priest: Eternal light, shining beyond the heaven's radiant sun, illuminating all regions, above, below and across, true light enlightening every one coming into the world, dispel the darkness of our hearts and enlighten us with the splendor of your glory.
All: Your word is a lamp for our steps, a light on our path.
(The celebrant touches the flame with the tips of his/her fingers and then brings his/her fingers to his/her eyes. All turn to the light and perform the same gesture.)
(To aid in the celebration of the Universal Eucharist, a hard-bound copy of World Scripture: A Compararive Anthology of Sacred Texts should be available for use. This book has a topical cross-reference to aid in relating the readings to each other. The Holy Gospel reading is in accordance with the Common Lectionary. The other readings are selected at the discretion of the Celebrant.)
(Homage is paid to the books with light and incense)
(During the readings, the people remain with open hands and the palms turned upwards resting on their knees.)
(The celebrant blesses the scripture readers with the following blessing:)
Priest: May the One who quickens the intellect and kindles the heart strengthen you with divine power to proclaim the saving word.
UPANISHADS OR BHAGAVAD GITA
(Here is read a text from either the Hindu Upanishads or Bhagavad Gita which relates to the Christian Gospel.)
Reader: A reading from the (name of text). [The text is read.] Here ends the reading.
All: Praise be to God
(A short silent meditation.)
DHAMMAPADA OR SUTRA
(Here is read a text from either the Buddhist Dhammapada or a Buddhist sutra which relates to the Christian Gospel.)
Reader: A reading from the (name of text) [The text is read.] Here ends the reading.
All: Praise be to God
(A short silent meditation.)
HEBREW TESTAMENT OR KORAN
(Here is read a text from either the Hebrew Testament or Muslim Koran which relates to the Christian Gospel.)
Reader: A reading from the (name of text) [The text is read.] Here ends the reading.
All: Praise be to God
(A short silent meditation.)
(The celebrant or bishop blesses the gospeller/reader saying:)
Priest: May the Lord be in (your/my) heart and on (your/my) lips that through (your/my) heart the love of God may shine forth and through (your/my) lips God’s spiritual power be manifest.
THE HOLY GOSPEL (Stand)
The Holy Gospel verses appointed for the day are read from the pulpit or in the midst of the congregation.
P: The Holy Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ according to ...
C: Glory be to You, O Lord.
P: [The text is read.] The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
C: Praise be to You, O Christ.
Sermon (Sit) or Silent Meditation
The Prayers of the People (Sit)
R: Let us pray for people of faith and for the world. Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Reality may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world. Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
R: Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good. Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
R: Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory. Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
R: Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours (especially, ...) and grant that we may serve our Redeemer in them, and love one another as the Savior loves us. Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
R: Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit (especially, ...); give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
R: We commend to your mercy all who have died (especially, ...), that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all the saints in your eternal kingdom. Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
R: We pray for the peace of the world; that our divisions may cease, that we may be delivered from hardness of heart, and that all may be one through You, O Lord.
C: Let it be.
A General Thanksgiving (Sit)
P: From out of midst the prayers of our mouths, the desires of our hearts, the needs of our community have risen to You, O Holy Creator, Giver of all good gifts. And from Your Throne, the high seat of Heaven, You have stretched forth Your Swift, Sure Right Hand and touched our lives. You’ve made strong the weak, rich the poor, joyous the despondent, comforted the lonely, lightened the darkness of those lost, and have taken the burdens of our eternal essences from us. All our thanks, all our praise be unto You and may we, by seeing the miracles You have wrought among us, grow stronger in faith and more faithful in our service to You. To You, our Sovereign Lord, do we bend our knees and once again pledge all our hearts, all our eternal essences, all our strength, and all our minds to your service and to the spreading of Your Dominion to the very edges of this world.
C: In the power of our Redeemer and Lord. Let it be.
Hymn (Stand)
Affirmation of Faith (Stand)
A: We believe that there is that of God in every person. All human beings, regardless of religious beliefs, have the ability of unmediated spiritual communion and relationship with the transcendent Divine that is immanent within; We believe that spiritual awareness may be achieved by everyone everywhere. It may be experienced through the teachings of all the great religious systems or in the personal and private experiences of an individual seeker who may have no religion at all. Spiritual awareness is accessible to everyone of any religion or none. No faith can claim to have a final revelation or monopoly of truth. We acknowledge that such awareness may be expressed in many different ways. We delight in this diversity. While being convinced of the validity of our own religious path, we not only accept but also rejoice that others find validity in their own spiritual tradition, whatever it may be. Each of us must find our own path, and each of us can benefit from the search of others. We believe that underlying the infinite diversity of life is the unity of one all-pervasive Spirit. We seek unity with all creation, joining with the increased awareness that a peace testimony includes reverence toward all life. We believe the Light, the Life, the Truth, the Love of God is revealed directly to every human being, of every race and religion, without the requirement of any intermediary such as church, priest, or sacred book. Each of us has the choice of relying on ourselves or discerning and following the Divine Light within.
Gloria Patri (Stand)
P: Glory be to the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Divine Wisdom.
C: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Let it be.
The Holy Eucharist
The Offertorium (Sit)
A hymn is sung while the offertory alms are collected. The alms and the Eucharistic elements are brought to the altar. Offerings of dried rice, dried lentils, and flower petals may be included. At the end of the hymn the Priest says the following:
P: From the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same the Lord's name shall be magnified; and in every place incense shall be offered unto God and a pure offering. There shall be heard in this place the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving into the house of the Lord.
The Doxology (Stand)
A: Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God above you heavenly hosts. Praise Parent, Child, and Holy Ghost. Let it be.
The offertory alms are removed from the altar. The people are seated. The Priest offers the host saying:
P: We adore thee, O God, who are the source of all life and goodness and with true and thankful hearts we offer unto you this sign of your own life-giving gifts bestowed upon us, you who are the giver of all.
He pours wine and a little water into the chalice saying:
P: According to immemorial custom, we now mix water with this wine, praying, O Lord, that we may evermore abide in our Redeemer as the Redeemer abides in us.
He offers the chalice saying:
P: We offer unto you, O Lord, this chalice with joy and gladness; may the worship we offer ascend before your divine majesty as a sacrifice, pure and acceptable in your sight; through our Redeemer.
C: Let it be.
The Censing of the Altar (Sit)
A priest censes the altar, saying:
P: As this incense rises before you, O Lord, so let our prayer be set forth in your sight. Let your holy angels encompass your people and breathe forth upon them the spirit of your blessing.
He then censes the assisting ministers and the people, saying:
P: May the Lord enkindle within us the fire of God’s love and the flame of everlasting charity.
C: Let it be.
Lavabo (Sit)
P: I will wash my hands in innocency, O Lord: and so will I go to your altar. That I may show the voice of thanksgiving; and tell of all your wondrous works. Glory be to the Creator, and to the Redeemer (+), and to the Divine Wisdom. As it was in the beginning, is now, and forever shall be; world without end.
C: Let it be.
P: Lord, be with me in the breaking of the bread and in the offering of wine. Bless my body and eternal essence for they are yours.
C: Let it be.
Orate Fratres (Sit)
P: Throughout the ages and in the great faiths of the world, God has revealed to us that our creation, our salvation, and our sustenance are dependent on the unselfish sacrifice of the incarnate Redeemer. We have our existence solely due to the self-giving of the Compassionate and all-Merciful One. Herein we commemorate that sacrifice and offer ourselves to God. Brethren, pray that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God Almighty.
C: May the Lord receive the sacrifice at your hands and sanctify our lives in Divine service.
P: We lay before you, O Lord, these your creatures of bread and wine, in token of our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; for here we offer and present unto you ourselves, our eternal essences and bodies, to be a holy and continual sacrifice unto you, that we, who are very members incorporate in the mystical body of the Redeemer, which is the blessed company of all faithful people, may hear the Redeemer’s most joyful voice: "Come unto me, O you that are blessed of the Divine and possess the kingdom which is prepared for you from the beginning of the world," through the same Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Divine Wisdom, ever one God throughout all ages of ages.
C: Let it be.
Sursum Corda and Sanctus (Stand)
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And with your spirit.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them up unto the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks unto the Lord our God.
C: It is proper and right so to do.
P: It is very proper, right, and our bounden duty that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto you, O Lord, almighty and everlasting God; through our Redeemer. Therefore, with angels and archangels, with the Holy Apostles and Prophets of all Faiths, the Blessed Saints and Holy Ones, and all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify your glorious name, evermore praising you and saying,
A: Holy, holy, holy. Lord God of Hosts; heaven and earth are full of your glory. Glory be to you, O Lord most high. Blessed is the Holy One that comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!
Prayer of Consecration (Sit or Kneel)
(Based on Celtic folk-prayers)
P: We thank Thee, our Creator, for the life and knowledge which You made known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever. Even as this broken bread was scattered over the hills, and was gathered together and became one, so let the assembly of Your faithful be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Thy dominion; for Yours is the glory and the power through our Redeemer for ever. We thank You, our Creator, for the holy vine of David Thy servant, which You made known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever. High Sovereign of the universe, who sustains the worlds, who brought forth the earth; You breathe wisdom into all your creatures, until we reflect Your love. In our pain and sorrow we cry to Your tender Lamb, slain before the foundation of the world, perfect sacrifice for our sins. Who in the night in which betrayal came took bread into holy and venerable hands, and, after giving thanks, blessed it and broke it and gave it to the disciples, saying, "Take and eat of this all of you, for this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In like manner Christ took the cup. And after giving thanks, blessed it and gave it to the disciples, saying, "Take and drink of this all of you, for this is my blood, the blood of the new covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins. As often as you do this, do it in remembrance of me." For as often as we eat of this bread and drink of this cup we proclaim the Lord's death until Christ returns.
A: The Redeemer has died. The Redeemer is risen. The Redeemer will come again.
P: Therefore, Heavenly Light, with this bread and wine we remember the life our Lord offered for us. And we pray that you will send your Divine Wisdom, the Spirit of our Lord and of the Resurrection, that these elements may become for us the Body (+) and Blood (+) of our Redemption and Salvation. In the name of the Creator, of the Redeemer (+), and of the Divine Wisdom.
C: Let it be.
The Lord's Prayer (Sit or Kneel)
P: And now we pray as God’s servant, Jesus Christ, taught us.
The Priest elevates the host.
C: Our Creator, who is heaven, may all sentient beings revere your name. Your ruling power come; Your will be done on earth as it is in Your Holy Realm. Give us this day our daily bread, and pardon our failings as we pardon those who fail us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the authority, and the power, and the resplendent radiance, beyond space and time. Let it be.
Fracture and Agnus Dei (Sit or Kneel)
The Priest breaks the host while it is elevated.
P: O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world;
C: Have mercy on us.
P: You that take away the sins of the world;
C: Receive our prayer.
P: You that sit on the right hand of God the Creator;
A: Grant us your peace. For you only are holy; you only are the Lord. You only, O Christ, with the Holy Spirit, are most high in the glory of God the Creator. Let it be.
Communion Prayer (Sit or Kneel)
A: Lord grant me, I pray you in Your name, through the receiving of this Blessed Sacrament, that love which knows no fall, so that my lamp may feel Your kindling touch and know no quenching, may burn for me, and may give light for others. O Lord, who is present in the bread and wine, bless the path on which we tread and guide us in the way to your Kingdom. Let it be.
P: Redeemer, most sweet, deign to kindle our lamps through communion with you, that they may shine continually in your temple, and receive perpetual light from you, the eternal Light, so that our darkness may be driven from us. May we become broken bread and poured out wine, abiding in you and you in us.
C: Let it be.
Holy Communion (Sit or Kneel)
P: Risen Lord, we welcome you. You are the flowering bough of creation; from you cascades music like a million stars, truth to cleanse all vestige of sin (a myriad of souls). From you flee demons, omens and all ill will. Around you rejoice the angels of light. Divine Creator, send us the tender Spirit of Your Holy Sacrifice; feed us with the Bread of Heaven; refresh us with the Cup of Salvation.
(The celebrant communes)
God personally sacrificed the Redeemer for us.
C: Therefore, let us keep the feast.
The Invitation (Sit or Kneel)
P: All you who truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth along the holy path as revealed to us: Draw near with faith to receive this Blessed Sacrament for your spiritual health and comfort.
C: Let it be.
Communicants come to the altar in an orderly fashion, receiving the Bread in their hands with palms upright. Communicants may receive from the Chalice or by Intinction. If by Intinction, when the Chalice Bearer passes with the Cup, he/she will dip the Bread into the Wine and place the Bread on the communicant's tongue. After receiving Holy Communion please remain at the altar rail to receive a Priestly blessing before returning to your seat.
Post-Communion (Sit or Kneel)
P: Heaven is intertwined with earth.
C: We have taken the divine life into ourselves.
P: And so each may say,
A: I rise up clothed in the strength of God. I am no longer imprisoned by sin. I shall not be harmed by evil.
P: There is only one river.
C: There is only one sea.
P: And it flows through you; and it flows through me.
C: There is only one people,
P: We are one and the same.
C: We are all one spirit.
P: We are all one name.
C: We are the father,
P: Mother, daughter, and son.
C: From the dawn of creation,
A: We are one.
Benediction (Sit or Kneel)
P: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord ever shine pure and eternal Light upon you and be gracious to you. May the countenance of the Lord be lifted upon you and give you peace. In the power of the Creator and of the Redeemer (+) and of the Divine Wisdom.
C: Let it be.
Recessional Hymn (Stand)
Extinguishing of Candles & Postlude (Sit)
Dismissal (Sit)
P: Go in peace and in the strength of God. The Mass is ended.
C: Thanks be to God. Let it be.