EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (# 9)

A Weekly Pastoral Tool for the YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Jan. 23-29, 2005

 

“A Great Light Has Shone!”

 

 

(+) 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 JOHN JUSTUS LANDSBERG, CHURCH WRITER

(Cf. Sermon 5, vol. 3, 315-317)

 

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Everyone knows that we were all born in darkness, and once lived in darkness. But now that the Sun of Righteousness has risen for us, let us see that we no longer remain in darkness. Christ came to enlighten those who lived in darkness, overshadowed by death, and to guide their feet into the way of peace …

 

In himself Christ brought us light which would enable us to see our sins, and hate our darkness. His freely given poverty, when there was no place for him in the inn, is for us a light by which we can now learn that the poor in spirit, to whom the kingdom of heaven belongs, are blessed …

 

The meekness with which Christ endured hunger, thirst, cold, harsh words, lashes, and wounds, when he was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb before his shearer opened not his mouth – that meekness is for us light … By it we learn how much is required of us …

 

Reflect then, beloved, on all the virtues which Christ taught us by his example, which he recommends by his counsel, and which he enables us to imitate by the assistance of his grace.

 

 

 

SILENT ADORATION AND PRAYER

OPENING PRAYER

 

Leader: Let us pray that all mankind

may be enlightened by the Gospel.

 

(Pause for silent prayer.)

 

God of power and life,

glory of all who believe in you,

fill the world with your splendor

and show the nations the light of your truth.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

 

Assembly: Amen.

 

 

Part I

JESUS MASTER TRUTH

Listening to the Word

 

 

GOSPEL READING: Mt 4:12-23

 

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 [# 9]: 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: The spirit of Christmas is not over, but rather, in a continual process of realization in our lives. The fullest meaning of the Christmas feast we have celebrated a few weeks ago is this: Jesus, the Son of God, came to be the light of the world.

 

With his saving work, the darkness of sin and death has vanished. The reign of God is at hand. United with Christ, his disciples are called for a special mission to the nations – to spread the Good News that the great light of liberation has dawned. Indeed, Christmas is the festival of the great light, Jesus Christ, and as disciples of the light, we are called to live the Christmas spirit of life-giving love every day of our lives.

 

            With humility and honesty, we now look into our hearts and see how deeply responsive are we to the challenges of Jesus Christ, who calls us to walk in the light of life.

 

1.      Are we intent on keeping the spirit and joy of Christmas alive through the year? Do we believe that the love Jesus, the light of the world, brought to us in the mystery of the incarnation and the entire paschal mystery is always in season?

 

2.      How do we concretely participate in the mission of Jesus, the great light, to dispel the darkness of sin and death from the people dwelling in the land of gloom?

 

3.      What is our vocation story? Do we see it as a participation in the prophetic announcement of a great light and of rejoicing?

 

 

PENITENTIAL PRAYER

 

Leader: Lord Jesus, you are mighty God and Prince of Peace: Lord, have mercy.

Assembly: Lord, have mercy.

 

Leader: Lord Jesus, you are Son of God and Son of Mary: Christ have mercy.

Assembly: Christ, have mercy.

 

Leader: Lord Jesus, you are Word made flesh and splendor of the Father – the great Light to enlighten the people sitting in darkness: Lord, have mercy.

Assembly: Lord, have mercy.

 

SONG: Any suitable song may be sung.

 

 

 

Part III

JESUS LIFE

Acting upon the Word

 

 

 

PRAYING WITH THE WORD

(Cf. Commission Francophone Cistersienne, “La nuit, le jour”, Paris: Desclee-Cerf, 1973, 29 Fiche de Chant P LH 49)

 

Leader: You came, into our night,

to turn our ways toward the dawn;

your way however remains hidden,

only the Spirit uncovers for us your passage.

 

To lead us to light

you took up a body

in the human shadow into which you come.

Many would want to see and understand:

will they recognize your light?

 

We say to them: “See the grain that dies;

no eye sees it,

but our hearts can divine in the shared bread his presence.”

 

Then we carry to you, like a cry,

the hope of today’s men and women;

ripen the time, hurry the day,

and may it rise on earth, Your kingdom.

 

Assembly: The people who sit in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those dwelling in the land overshadowed by death

light has arisen.

 

 

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 FOR THE PEOPLES OF THE EARTH

 

Leader: Let us pray, dear brothers and sisters, for the five continents of the world so that all peoples may come to know God and his Son Jesus Christ, the great Light that enlightens all nations.

 

 

(R.) Send forth your messengers, O Lord,

they will spread your light.

To all the world around they will sing of your glory.

Alleluia!  (recited or sung)

 

1.      Lord, we are united in spirit with our brothers and sisters in the immense continent of Asia, heirs of ancient civilizations and profound spiritual heritage. We pray that the peoples of Asia may come to know the splendor of the saving plan, radically accomplished by your Servant-Son, Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Above all, we present to you the victims of the natural disaster that struck Southern Asia. May the helping hand of all nations alleviate their sufferings and assist them towards healing and rehabilitation.  We pray: (R.)

 

2.      Lord, we pray for the hopes and yearnings of the peoples of Africa. Look kindly on those who suffer on account of poverty, illiteracy, civil unrest, and other forms of exploitation. May the Church in Africa share their missionary potentials and give vitality to waning Christian communities in the secularized world. We pray:  (R.)

 

3.      We pray, Lord for the peoples of Australia and the various islands that adorn the vast Pacific. Let the Spirit of Jesus guide them that they may live in harmony and serenity. We pray: (R.)

 

4.      We pray for the peoples of the Americas and the challenges that confront them daily. May Jesus Savior guide their aspirations and direct the progress of each nation. We pray: (R.)

 

5.      We pray for the hopes and yearnings of the peoples of Europe. May they uphold their Christian heritage and promote the spiritual values that would give true meaning to their lives. We pray: (R.)

 

6.      We commend to you, O Lord, the Holy Father’s General Intention for the month of January: FOR PEOPLE WORKING FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST: that they may never tire in their efforts to succeed. We pray: (R.)

 

7.      We commend to you, O Lord, the Holy Father’s Missionary Intention for the month of January: FOR VOCATIONS IN MISSON LANDS: that the Lord may continue to call holy and selfless men and women eager to proclaim the Gospel. We pray: (R.)

 

(Other prayers may be added.)

 

 

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER

 

Leader: And now let us resound the missionary prayer par excellence.

 

Assembly: OUR FATHER …

 

 

CONCLUDING PRAYER

 

Leader: God, all-powerful Father,

your Son, the great light that dispels the darkness of gloom,

called us to leave our nets,

follow him

and be lights to the nations.

May the new life that Christ shared with us

increase our love for you,

deepen our selfless service to others,

and keep us in the joy of your kingdom.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

 

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

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