Liturgy in-Person & on Zoom Indiana Interchurch Center 1100 W. 42nd St. Indianapolis IN 46208 Liturgy schedule When Marion County is HIGH on the CDC Covid map, St. Mary of Magdala liturgies will be on Zoom only.
For prior homilies, visit our blog.
Seeking God and ways to model God’s love
January 5, 2025 Epiphany Helen Weber-McReynolds, RWCP 1 Kings 10: 1-13; Ps. 72; Galatians 3: 26-28; Matthew 2:1-12 Yesterday started the official ceremonies to lay to rest President Jimmy Carter. I have always admired President Carter, as I know many of you do, as an authentic spiritual seeker, someone who spent his life trying to understand the love of the Creator, and how we can embody that love to make the world a more peaceful, loving place for everyone. His words and actions demonstrated to me that he understood that equality and inclusion were crucial. When he was governor of Georgia, he stunned segregationists there by declaring, in his inaugural address, “The time for racial discrimination is over. No poor rural white or black person should ever have to bear the additional burden of being deprived of the opportunity of an education, a job or simple justice.” Later in his career he wrote a book, after conferring with experts at conferences for a year, about equality for women, in which he said, “My own experiences and the testimony of courageous women from all regions and all major religions have made it clear that there is a pervasive denial of equal rights to more than half of all human beings, and this discrimination results in tangible harm to all of us, male and female.” Pres. Carter understood that that respect, acceptance, and equality were integral to building the Reign of God, the Beloved Community. All three of our readings seem to make the same statement. Our first reading is said to describe the high point of King Solomon’s secular career, the building of the Temple being the religious high point. The gentile Queen of Sheba, the most important, richest, and wisest monarch in the entire region, (yet unnamed,) visited to survey Solomon’s kingdom, and to seek understanding of his God. Apparently, they grew to respect one another, and the Queen to respect Solomon’s God. She observed, “God loves God’s people eternally, and so made you ruler to maintain law and justice.” Their encounter was one of acceptance, giving and receiving, and honor. Our second reading, from Paul to the Galatians, is foundational to our inclusive catholic movement, an expression of the truth that the Holy Spirit calls all people to ministries of all different kinds, regardless of race, occupation, gender, sexuality, physical ability, or marital status. The acceptance and openness modeled by Jesus and Paul to all believers were part of the new world they sought to build, a Kindom that reflected God’s pervasive love. “In Christ, there is no Judean or Greek, slave or free, male or female. All are one in Jesus the Christ.” The ultimate seekers were the Magi, gentile astronomers trying to understand the spiritual realities of the cosmos. Their dedication to this mission contrasted with that of the chief priests and religious scholars, who seemed to have no interest in visiting Jesus themselves, but were happy to refer to the scriptures and point these foreigners toward Bethlehem. The Magi heaped expensive gifts on Jesus, but can be said to have received the gifts of insight and revelation. Like the Queen of Sheba, they returned with more than they gave. A God whose son was born one with the poor and minority people of his society was the perfect example for the Magi of the hope that existed to be able to build a better, more inclusive world. As Scott Erickson said in his book, Honest Advent, “The deep desire of the Magi was to connect with the Creator of the world, and they trusted the Creator to reveal the interior journey of the soul in the exterior world around them. They wanted to know God, and they were willing to move from observation to participation in the pursuit of knowing.” Let us continue to be seekers, friends. Let us look for ways to model God’s love in our lives, the best we can. Let us be radically inclusive, like Jimmy Carter, the Queen of Sheba, Paul, Jesus, and the Magi. Let us be willing to participate in the pursuit of knowing, and following, God. 
Sacraments
We celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing, and Matrimony - which includes Holy Union for heterosexual or same sex couples. Services also include funerals, committal services, and celebrations of life. Also other traditional services such as house blessings. Call Helen Weber-McReynolds, RCWP, to request a home or hospital visit. 317-691-1016. To Volunteer
New volunteers are always welcome to join our liturgical ministries. Participate as a musician, lector, greeter, usher, communion minister, or share another talent with us. Our website was done by a volunteer! If you have an idea and would like to share your time & talent, please tell us! Contact Helen at 317-691-1016 for more information or fill out the form below! 
St. Mary of Magdala Catholic Community gives 10% of its income to charity.
Our fourth quarter contribution went to HVAF (Helping Veterans and Families, https://www.hvafofindiana.org). HVAF provides assistance with housing (including 48 units lost in a catastrophic fire this past October), job placement, and more. Other recipients include:
Tax Deductible Donations If you would like to make a tax deductible contribution to St. Mary of Magdala, please send a check to: St. Mary of Magdala Catholic Community P.O. Box 20042 Indianapolis, IN 46220
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Upcoming Liturgies
with St. Mary of Magdala and our sister communities Sat. Jan. 18, 5 p.m., HCICC, Hermitage & Zoom Sun. Jan. 26, 11 a.m., StMMCC, in person and Zoom Sat. Feb.1, 5 p.m., HCICC, Hermitage and Zoom Sun. Feb. 9, 11 a.m., BICC, in person and Zoom Sun. Feb. 16, 11 a.m., StMMCC, in person and Zoom Sun. Feb 23., 11 a.m., StMMCC, in person and Zoom The sister communities
StMMCC: St. Mary of Magdala Catholic Community Rev. Helen WeberMcReynolds , pastor Gathering in person at: Indiana Interchurch Center 1100 W. 42nd St., Indianapolis IN 46208 Zoom link requests: hweber@iuhealth.org BICC: Brownsburg Inclusive Catholic Community Bp. Nancy Meyer & Rev. Angela Nevitt Meyer, copastors Gathering in person at: 516 E Main St, Brownsburg, IN 46112 (Ash Interactive entrance behind Enterprise) Zoom link requests: biccinquiry@gmail.com HCICC: Home Church Inclusive Catholic Community Contact Rev. Peggy Alderman for information. Zoom link requests: peggymomm@gmail.com 
Recent Events
Thanks to Patti and all of those who helped Santa & Mrs. Claus give everyone at the Inclusive Catholic Communities Holiday Singalong & Pitch-In a rousingly good time, with singing, dancing, food, crafts, and more. Next year's event has already been scheduled, for Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025!
Our Ecotheology Retreat centered around Robin Wall Kimmerer's Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants was such a success that we are already looking into reservations for next year! For more photos, see our Community page.
Angela provided us with updates from the synod in Rome , via www.facebook.com/RCwomenpriests . Peggy was a presence at Womenpriest events nearby.
The Eucharist of Equals: Liturgy of Love was both lovely and heart-felt, and was preceded by social action outside the Indianapolis Convention Center, in counter witness to the USCCB’s Eucharistic Congress. For more information on the July 20-21 events, see our Community page.
Our annual Lenten reflection program featured discussion of Midrash: Reading the Bible with Question Marks, by Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso , Senior Rabbi Emerita of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, Indianapolis, with an afterward by Joan Chittister, an author featured in prior reflection programs.
We thank Rabbi Sasso for making a personal appearance!
Intercessions
Response: God of hope, hear our prayer. ● For the Church: direct our daily lives outside the walls of our worship spaces so that our words and deeds reflect Your love to a tired world seeking renewal. We pray. - R ● For Divine grace in the New Year: that health of body, mind, and spirit inspire us to see the Good News reflected in the eyes of those who fill our days. - R ● For the refreshing power of prayer in our lives: so that like the Magi of old, we recognize signs and have the faith and Holy curiosity to follow them. We pray - R. ● For the human family to be united for the common good of all creation: that everywhere arms are laid down and nourishing food, clean water, medicines, and comfortable shelter be available. We pray. - R ● In gratitude for the life of President Jimmy Carter: that local, state, and national politicians are drawn to follow his example as a servant leader. We pray. - R ● For those living with the heaviness of fear: that they experience release in their hearts and can move forward to provide for their families and neighbors. We pray. -R ● For help and strength for the people of New Orleans, after the tragic terror event there, on Epiphany, the traditional beginning of their Mardi Gras celebrations. May they support feel our support and support one another through this season. We pray. -R For what else shall we pray? External Links
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