EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (# 8)

A Weekly Pastoral Tool for the YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST

2^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Jan. 16-22, 2005

“Behold, the Lamb of God”

(+) 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 other appropriate song may be sung.

WORDS OF ST. CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA

(From his Commentary on Saint John’s Gospel 2: PG 73, 191-194)

When he saw Jesus coming toward him John said: “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” No longer does he say: Prepare! That would be out of place now that at last he who was prepared for is seen, is before our very eyes … So John says: Behold the Lamb of God, of whom the prophet Isaiah told us in the words: He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb before his shearer he opened not his mouth …

Now the true lamb, the victim without blemish obscurely prefigured in former times, is led to the slaughter for all to banish sin from the world, to overthrow the world’s destroyer, to abolish death by dying for the entire human race, and to release us from the curse: Dust you are and to dust you shall return … He will be for us the source of every blessing … One Lamb died for all to restore the whole flock on earth to God the Father.

SILENT ADORATION AND PRAYER

OPENING PRAYER

Leader: Loving Father,

help us to be receptive to the grace of the Holy Spirit,

alive and at work in us.

Like John the Baptist,

may we be zealous precursors of Christ

and limpid witnesses of his sacrificial love.

Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God

who takes away the sin of the world.

He died for all peoples

to restore the whole flock on earth to you.

Strengthened by the power of the Spirit of Jesus,

may we be instruments of your Son’s compassion

in today’s suffering and fragmented world.

Like Jesus, your beloved Son-Servant,

may we live intimately in your love

and give ourselves devotedly in service to others,

promoting your Kingdom of justice, peace and love,

especially in death-dealing situations of injustice, violence and hatred.

Through him, with him, and in him,

we give you glory and praise,

now and forever.

Assembly: Amen.

Part I

JESUS MASTER TRUTH

Listening to the Word

GOSPEL READING: Jn 1: 29-34

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 [# 8]: 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 suitable  hymn of praise or song may be sung.

Part II

JESUS MASTER WAY

Confrontation with the Word

POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART

Leader: Trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit who is actively and intimately involved in the baptismal scene at the River Jordan and in the task of Christian witnessing, let us now allow him to search the inmost depths of our heart.

1.      What does the witnessing of John the Baptist about Jesus as the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” and the “Son of God” mean to us personally and experientially? How does it affect our lives?

2.      Like John the Baptist, are we also both precursors and witnesses of Christ? If yes, how?

3.      Do we open up ourselves to the grace of the Holy Spirit day by day, allowing him to anoint us for the messianic task of proclaiming the Gospel message centered on the saving work of Christ, the Lamb of God and the beloved Son of God?

PENITENTIAL PRAYER

Assembly: Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace.

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 the Rosary may be prayed in part or in full.

THE WAY OF SOLIDARITY: PRAYER OF INTERCESSION

Leader: Gathered at the Lord’s feet, let us ask him to make our life a living testimony of the faith we profess. Let our prayer be:

(R.) MAKE US YOUR WITNESSES, O LORD.

1.      Jesus, you chose us and called us. Make us deeply convinced of our baptismal faith so as to give witness to it by words and deeds. We pray … (R.)

2.      Jesus, you said to your disciples: “You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.” May our Christian example shine to all so that seeing our good works, they may give glory to our Father who is in heaven. We pray …  (R.)

3.      Jesus, you are the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world: “Love one another; by this love they will know that you are my disciples and the world will believe in you.” Help us to witness to everyone our love for each other and our unity. We pray … (R.)

4.      Jesus, you made your Church the refuge of our salvation. May every Christian community live according to the Gospel spirit and become light and hope for all people. We pray …  (R.)

(Other prayers may be added.)

THE LORD’S PRAYER

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Leader: O loving Lord,

you want us to give witness to you in the world.

Help us for we are weak.

May we put into practice

your message of love, truth, justice and peace

so as to build your kingdom

where we all live as brothers and sisters in you.

You live and reign forever and ever.

Assembly: Amen.

FINAL SONG: Any suitable Eucharistic hymn or song 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