EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (# 46)
A Weekly Pastoral Tool for the YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
October 9-15, 2005
“Come to the Feast”
(+) 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 EUGENE MALY
(Cf. The Word Alive, Alba House: New York, 1982, p. 95-97)
One of the most pleasant of human activities is the family or community meal. In its ideal form it is a time when those who love one another not only share the food they eat but also share with one another their hopes and fears, their experiences and future plans. The love that already binds them is made stronger … All mankind seems to be aware of the fact that a shared meal either creates or strengthens a community of life among the participants. That is why this most human of activities would also be used to symbolize a community of life between human and divine participants … The banquet of which Jesus speaks in the Gospel is an eschatological meal. But here we are told more about the participants. They will not be simply those you might expect on a royal wedding list. They will be all those who want to come, those who sincerely look for the Lord. This is understandable, since they alone would know how to share the life and love of the Lord.
SILENT ADORATION
OPENING PRAYER
Leader: Almighty God,
let the Eucharist we share fill us with your life.
May the love of Christ which we celebrate here
touch our lives and lead us to you.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
Assembly: Amen.
Part I
JESUS MASTER TRUTH
Listening to the Word
GOSPEL READING: Mt 22:1-14
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 [# 46]: 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 response to the Lord’s invitation, “Come to the feast”?
2. How do we react to the indifference and violence shown by the obstinate and the ruthless to the gracious invitation to participate in the heavenly feast of God’s kingdom? What do we do to rectify this unfortunate and dreadful situation?
3. What is the symbolism of the “wedding garment” mentioned in this Sunday’s parable and its significance for us?
PRAYER
(Cf. Commission Francophone Cistercienne, Tropaires des dimanches, 125)
Leader: You were hungry;
you were thirsty;
for you I have prepared the wedding feast.
Assembly: So many other voices have drowned out your call;
so many lies have ensnared our hearts.
Lord, call us back to your love.
Leader: Your days were spent far from my joy;
for you I have prepared festive garments.
Assembly: So many other joys scattered our desires;
so many mirages fascinated our eyes.
Lord, call us back to your love.
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 those who are invited to the Lord’s banquet may respond with joy and thanksgiving.
2. That those who invite people to come to the Lord’s feast may be strengthened in their task.
3. That our land be productive and may bear abundant yield.
4. That there be enough food for all, especially for those who suffer from hunger.
5. That all peoples may feast in paradise with the loving and provident Father.
6. That we may put on Christ and be ready for the heavenly nuptial banquet.
(Other prayers may be added.)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Leader: Almighty Father,
may the body and blood of your Son
give us a share in his life
and a joyful partaking in his wedding banquet in heaven.
We ask this in his name for he is our Lord,
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