Collect: O God, author of every mercy and of all goodness, who in fasting, prayer and almsgiving have shown us a remedy for sin, look graciously on this confession of our lowliness, that we, who are bowed down by our conscience, may always be lifted up by your mercy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN
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A note from Kelly-
I am sitting in the first pew of St. John's this morning. I'm alone at 10AM. This place, at this time is typically abuzz with restless children departing the church in eager anticipation of their promised donut for good behavior. The Adult Choir is typically rehearsing in the choir room and late-comers are trickling in with big smiles. While simultaneously giving the choir vocal warm-ups, I am typically trying to take mental notes of all the lovely conversations and interactions with people I've had during the family Mass. I'm trying to recall names that may have escaped me. I am trying to compose the list of things I should be following up with Father Jim about on Monday, when we both have a moment to take a breath. At this moment I am typically tired, over-caffeinated and exhilarated.
Instead this morning I admit to feelings of exhaustion, confusion, anxiety, disappointment and even grief. The words have been overused in these past few days, but there aren't any more accurate: this time is unprecedented. I, like most of our parishioners, have been blessed to never have to more than a day or so without the opportunity to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. Today, as I sit before the Blessed Sacrament I am flooded with tears knowing how many people are not receiving that gift this morning. Our Church in Boston is doing exactly what it should be doing and taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety of God's people by practicing social distancing.
So, today, when everything isn't what it should be, when the whole world is looking to someone to quell our fear, to lead with strength, to teach us how to be in this brokenness: I'm looking to Jesus.
Today I am looking to the Gospel. Both Jesus and the woman at the well are exhausted. She is anxious, disappointed, desperate and isolated. But somehow in one encounter with Jesus she becomes a missionary. She converts an entire village, who previously reviled her. Jesus performs spiritual open-heart surgery on her; a woman whose heart must certainly been as hardened as is humanly possible. One conversation. One honest, vulnerable conversation. It changed everything.
So amidst all the fear, the isolation, the heartbreak, open your hearts up to a conversation with Jesus. You will likely not be meeting Jesus in the Eucharist for a time; but as we hear in that blessed conversation in the Gospel this morning, 'the hour is coming, and is now, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him.'
The place we worship might not matter so much to Jesus right now. But the spirit in which we do absolutely does.
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Prayers of the Faithful
Priest: With thirsty hearts for the true living water which sustains us in times of fear and dryness, we turn to our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the source of all life as we pray:
Lector: For the Church, that she would be at the forefront of protecting and sustaining life at every stage, particularly in this time when we must care in a specific way for the vulnerable and elderly. We pray to the Lord.
Lector: For our own individual hearts this Lent, that we would be granted opportunities for reconciliation and the grace of God’s peace in this season of unrest.
We pray to the Lord.
Lector: We pray in gratitude for the eternal well of mercy and forgiveness that is the heart of God our Father and His Son Jesus.
We pray to the Lord.
Lector: For our collaborative prayer gatherings of every shape and particularly for our Lenten Small Groups- may we by God’s grace continue to find creative ways to travel together through Lent, deepening our spiritual lives and walking together with Christ to His Cross.
We pray to the Lord.
Lector: For our world, that in the unprecedented times of uncertainty, that God would make His will and presence known to us in the faces of all those who attempt to bring healing and comfort to all those effected by COVID-19.
We pray to the Lord.
Priest: God our Father, You are our shelter, our strength and our shield. Be our refugee in times of trouble. Lord Jesus, we thank You that you know our need and are the Great Physician. Heal our Land. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Mass Intentions:
St. John's:
Saturday 5PM- Helen O'Hara
Sunday 7:30am- Martha Collins
9:00am- William Kinslow IV
11:00am- Polly Reynolds Meckel
Dorothy M. Jones
Richard J. Sullivan
5:00pm- Joe Kelly
St. Paul:
Saturday 4pm For the Parish
Sunday 7:30am- For the Parish
9:00am- Nellie P. Juliani
11:00am- Gemma and Egidio Buchetti
Prayer over the People: Direct, O Lord, we pray, the hearts of your faithful, and in your kindness grant your servants this grace: that, abiding in the love of you and their neighbor, they may fulfill the whole of your commands. Through Christ our Lord. Amen