EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (# 33)
A Weekly Pastoral Tool for the YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
July 10, 2005
“A Sower Went Out To Sow”
(+) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(A moment of silence)
SONG: Any suitable Eucharistic hymn or any appropriate song may be sung.
WORDS OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
Dearly beloved, the reading from the holy gospel about the sower requires no explanation, but only a word of warning. Be careful that the word you have received through your ears remains in your heart. Be careful that the seed does not fall along the path, for fear that the evil spirit may come and take it from your memory. Be careful that the seed is not received in stony ground, so that it produces a harvest of good works without the roots of perseverance. Many people are pleased with what they hear and resolve to undertake some good work, but as soon as difficulties begin to arise and hinder them they leave the work unfinished. The stony ground lacked the necessary moisture for the sprouting seed to yield the fruits of perseverance. Good earth, on the other hand, brings forth fruit by patience … People doing good works bring forth fruit by patience, because, since they humbly endure misfortunes, they are welcomed when these are over into a place of rest in heaven.
SILENT ADORATION AND PRAYER
OPENING PRAYER
(Cf. Commission Francophone Cistercienne, Tropaires des dimanches, 82)
Leader: The sower goes out to sow the good news.
May the seed fall into deep soil!
May the spirit come!
The word does not return without having borne its fruit.
Assembly: Open our hearts to your call, Lord,
open them to your promise.
Leader: When hope falters and our courage crumbles away,
when other joys fascinate us and scatter our love …
Assembly: Open our hearts to your call, Lord,
open them to your promise.
Part I
JESUS MASTER TRUTH
Listening to the Word
GOSPEL READING: Mt 13:1-23
PERSONAL REFLECTION
(As a tool for personal reflection, please visit the PDDM Website: www.pddm.org // www.pddm.us for BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD [# 33]: A Lectio Divina Approach to the Sunday Liturgy. The Biblico-Liturgical Reflections are an aid for a deeper understanding of the Gospel reading.)
SONG: Any Eucharistic hymn or suitable song of praise may be sung.
Part II
JESUS MASTER WAY
Confrontation with the Word
POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART
Leader: We open our hearts to listen to the promptings of the living Word. Let us ask ourselves with limpid honesty:
1. Are we thankful for the goodness and generosity of Jesus the Sower, who casts the seed of the Kingdom everywhere and brings the Good News to all? Do we truly believe in the inherent power of God’s Kingdom?
2. Do we listen to Jesus’ parable with a receptive heart? Do we invest time and energy to internalize the message of the Kingdom parables and translate it into our lives?
3. With eagerness and humility, do we endeavor to be the rich, welcoming soil that will make the seed of the Kingdom grow and bear abundant fruits to be shared with those who long for the blessings of God? When we are not receptive to grace, what do we do to surmount this spiritual resistance and difficulty?
PRAYER
(A prayer by Nerses Snorhali in Jesus, Fils unique du Pere in Sources chretinnes 203, Paris: Cerf, p. 133)
I hardened myself like a rock;
I became like the path;
the thorns of the world have choked me
and have made my soul unfruitful.
But, O Lord, Sower of good,
make the seedling of the Word grow in me
so I may yield fruit in one of these three:
Hundredfold, sixtyfold, or even thirtyfold.
SONG: Any suitable song may be sung.
Part III
JESUS LIFE
Acting upon the Word
PERSONAL PRAYER
CONTEMPLATING WITH MARY THE FACE OF CHRIST: The Mysteries of Light of the Rosary may be prayed in part or in full.
THE WAY OF SOLIDARITY: PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
(Cf. Liturgy of the Hours)
Leader: Let us pray to God who cares for all, and with earnest humility say:
(R.) COME TO YOUR PEOPLE, LORD.
1. Assist your Church. (R.)
2. Preserve Benedict XVI, our Pope. (R.)
3. Protect our bishop N. ___. (R.)
4. Direct those who preach the Gospel and cast the seed of the living Word. (R.)
5. Clothe your priests with your holiness. (R.)
6. Strengthen religious men and women in their pursuit of holiness. (R.)
7. Bring an end to strife and hatred. (R.)
8. Nourish children by your loving care. (R.)
9. Enable young people to grow in wisdom. (R.)
10. Support and give solace to the aged. (R.)
11. Grant blessings to those we love. (R.)
12. Admit those who have died into the company of the saints. (R.)
(Other prayers may be added.)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Leader: Loving Father,
your Son Jesus, the generous Sower,
lavishly sowed the good seed of the Kingdom to the four winds.
Like the rich soil of a verdant earth,
may we fully receive the seed of your Kingdom and life-giving power.
Let your saving Word yield spiritual fruits in our lives.
May we work with Jesus Savior
in the challenging task of broadcasting the Good News of salvation
in the vast field of today’s anguished world and fragmented humanity.
We love you and adore you,
and we trust in you,
the source of good seed for the sowing,
now and forever.
Assembly: Amen.
FINAL SONG: Any suitable Eucharistic hymn or song of praise may be sung.
Prepared by Sr. Mary Margaret Tapang PDDM
PIAE DISCIPULAE DIVINI MAGISTRI
SISTER DISCIPLES OF THE DIVINE MASTER
60 Sunset Ave., Staten Island, NY 10314
Tel. (718) 494-8597 // (718) 761-2323
Website: WWW.PDDM.US