EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (# 43)
A Weekly Pastoral Tool for the YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
September 18-24, 2005
“The Good Employer”
(+) 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 FROM THE DAYS OF THE LORD, VOL. 4
The service of God and the salary he promises and gives have no equivalents among human beings. When he hires workers for his vineyard, he bestows a grace on them. When he pays them, not only does he exceeds their deserts, but he grants what no labor could deserve. I do not refuse work in your service; this is what true servants of God say, even when they legitimately long to enjoy rest at last. To answer God’s call, to remain available for what he wishes is their joy and reward … God is good and generous and all his gifts are grace: there is no room in the Christian community for jealousy or laying claim to any privileges, as if they were deserved.
SILENT ADORATION
OPENING PRAYER
(By Reinhold Niebuhr)
Leader: O God,
who has bound us together in this bundle of life,
give us grace to understand how our lives
depend on the courage, the industry, the honesty and the integrity
of our fellow men;
that we may be mindful of their needs,
grateful for their faithfulness
and faithful in our responsibilities to them;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Assembly: Amen.
Part I
JESUS MASTER TRUTH
Listening to the Word
GOSPEL READING: Mt 20:1-16
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 [# 43]: 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 relationship with the Good Employer? Is it a servile relationship? If so, what can we do about it?
2. Do we believe that in the Father’s kingdom, all are equally loved? Do we believe that God is good and generous and all his gifts are grace? Does this realization drive out the insidious snare of jealousy and envy in our community?
3. Do we receive with joy the “denarius” given to us by God as gift? Do we rejoice in the “denarius” that each one in the Christian community has received?
PRAYER
(Cf. Commission Francophone Cistercienne, Tropaires des dimanches, 115 – Fiche de chant U LH 69)
Leader: Happy those you call at first light;
their entire lives are a work of love.
And blessed are you, Father, for the evening workers:
is it ever too late to work in your vineyard?
Assembly: Here we are, Lord, whenever you call.
Leader: No more first or last.
God himself is the pay.
Peace to you who were far;
peace to those who were near.
Assembly: Here we are, Lord, whenever you call.
Leader: The Master’s goodness is beyond measure.
He wants to make servants his friends.
May I sing to my God the song of his love for his vineyard.
Assembly: Here we are, Lord, whenever you call.
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
Leader: Let us pray to God who cares for all, and with earnest humility say:
(R.) LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER.
1. That there may be a loving response to the Good Employer who calls workers to the vineyard of his kingdom.
2. That workers in the heavenly kingdom may understand the nobility and the gratuity of their call.
3. That our relationship with God, the Good Employer, be always filial and loving.
4. That we may be grateful for the “denarius” that God gives us as gift.
5. That humble disciples who are now considered the last will be the first in receiving heavenly rewards.
(Other prayers may be added.)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Leader: Loving Lord,
you are the Good Employer who calls us to your vineyard.
Help us with your kindness.
Make us good and generous workers in your vineyard
through the strength derived from your word and the Eucharist.
May we serve you in filial love
and rejoice in the goodness you show to others.
You live and reign, 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