EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (# 34)

A Weekly Pastoral Tool for the YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST

16^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

July 17-24, 2005

“Let Them Grow Together Until Harvest”

(+) 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 GREGORY PALAMAS

The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but when all were asleep his enemy came and sowed darnel among the wheat.

Now as the Lord explains, the darnel is the offspring of the evil one. They bear his mark because they behave the way he does: they are seeds of his sowing, and his children by adoption. Harvest time will be the end of the world, for although it began long since and continues now through death, only then will all things come to an end …

He who sees everything before it comes into being would not permit the darnel to be uprooted until the appointed time. But he says: At harvest time I will say to the reapers: “First collect the darnel and bind it in bundles to be burnt, but gather the wheat into my barn.”

Those who wish to be saved from eternal punishment and to inherit the everlasting kingdom of God must not be darnel but wheat. They must avoid saying or doing anything evil or useless, and practice the opposite virtues, thus bringing forth the fruits of repentance. In this way they will become worthy of the heavenly granary; they will be called children of the Father Most High, and as heirs will enter his kingdom rejoicing, resplendent with divine glory. To this may we all attain through the grace and loving kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with his eternal Father and the most holy, good, and life-giving Spirit belongs glory now and always and for endless ages. Amen.

SILENT ADORATION

OPENING PRAYER

Leader: Loving Father,

the grace of your Kingdom works in an ineffable way

like the good seed sown in the field,

like the mustard seed that grows into a welcoming tree,

and like the good leaven that makes the dough rise.

We trust in the dynamic power of your Kingdom,

which moves towards its glorious fulfillment

on the day of the final harvest.

You treat us with patience and compassion

because you have dominion and care over everything

and because you truly love us.

May we truly cherish the gift of your Kingdom

and be imbued with its promise of fullness and fruitfulness.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Assembly: Amen.

Part I

JESUS MASTER TRUTH

Listening to the Word

GOSPEL READING: Mt 13:24-43

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 [# 34]: 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.      What is our attitude toward the presence of good and evil in this world? Do we imitate the patient and benevolent tolerance of God who graciously provides opportunities for healing and conversion to all?

2.      Do we trust in the dynamism and efficacy of the Kingdom of God? Do we accept our humble beginning as a mustard seed and look forward to our grandiose destiny in the fullness of that Kingdom? How do we utilize the power of God given to us believers that we may be a leaven of transformation in today’s society?

3.      How does the intense reality of the eschatological harvest and final judgment impinge on our feelings, thoughts and actions in daily life? Are we ready to be reaped as God’s wheat and gathered into his barn?

PRAYER

(Cf. Liturgy of the Hours, Psalm Prayer after Psalm 126, Wednesday – Evening Prayer, Week III)

Leader: Lord, you have raised us from the earth;

may you let the seeds of justice, which we have sown in tears,

grow and increase in your sight.

May we reap in joy the harvest we hope for patiently.

You live and reign forever and ever.

Assembly: Amen.

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.) HEAR US, LORD.

1.      Be mindful of your Church.

2.      Defend our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI.

3.      Aid our bishop N. _______.

4.      Assist our nation.

5.      Reward those who have been good to us.

6.      Keep married couples one in love.

7.      Guide parents in the fulfillment of their responsibilities.

8.      Give work to the unemployed.

9.      Grant assistance to those in need.

10.  Be a helper to the poor.

11.  Shield those who endure persecution.

12.  Bring home those who have wandered.

13.  Give unending glory to those who have died.

(Other prayers may be added.)

THE LORD’S PRAYER

CONCLUDING PRAYER

(Cf. Liturgy of the Hours, Psalm Prayer after Psalm 127, Wednesday – Evening Prayer, Week III)

Leader: You command the seed to rise, Lord God,

though the farmer is unaware.

Grant that those who labor for you

may trust not in their own work but in your help.

Remembering that the land is brought to flower

not with human tears but with those of your Son,

may the Church rely only upon your gifts.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

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