Mindfulness Liturgy
Religious Education - Part 1
Introduction to Take 5 Breathing
Opening Prayer
Our ability to think is our greatest gift, but it is also the source of our greatest pain. Do we become victims of our unceasing thoughts? No, we can convert our unceasing thinking into unceasing prayer by making our inner monologue into a continuing dialogue with our God, who is the source of all love.
We pray...
God, we ask that you may help us to break out of our isolation and realize that Someone who dwells in the center of our beings wants to listen with love to all that occupies and preoccupies our minds.
Amen
A Reading from the Gospel of Luke 19:28-40
When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” just say this: “The Lord needs it.” ’ So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ They said, ‘The Lord needs it.’ Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise
God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying,
‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!’
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, order your disciples to stop.’ He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.’
Prayers of the Faithful
The response is: "Lord, hear our prayer".
For all of those who are personally impacted by mental health challenges and for their family members and loved ones. That they find the love, support and care that they need to thrive and live fulfilled lives. We pray to the Lord.
Response: "Lord, hear our prayer".
For an end to stigma against mental health and substance use disorders and a commitment from all people of faith to work together to change both attitudes and practices towards those who live with mental illness. We pray to the Lord.
Response: "Lord, hear our prayer".
We pray for a world where all persons are treated with dignity and receive the person- centered mental and physical care and support they need to thrive and achieve their goals. We pray to the Lord.
Response: "Lord, hear our prayer".
For government, business, education and church leaders. That they come together to build momentum, encourage inclusion and raise awareness of mental health issues and tackle the most pressing challenges in mental health and addiction. We pray to the Lord.
Response: "Lord, hear our prayer".
We pray in gratitude for those who live with mental illness who have shared their personal stories with others in an effort to reduce self-stigma by being open and honest about their authentic lives. We pray to the Lord.
Response: "Lord, hear our prayer".
Closing Prayer
This prayers is a reflection for the anniversary of martyrdom for Archbishop Romero:
It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work. Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the Church's mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an
opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master
builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.