EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (Vol. 2, n. 43)
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
September 17-23, 2006
“The Suffering Servant-Messiah”
(+) 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.
INTRODUCTION
(Cf. Adrian Nocent, The Liturgical Year, vol. 4, p. 253)
We see Christian’s suffering as a sharing in the glorious Passion of Christ as he undertakes the redemption of mankind and the rebuilding of the world. The suffering of the Servant of God, that is, of Christ is a priestly sacrifice. Consequently, as each Christian follows the lead of Christ, he shares more fully in the priesthood of Christ who offers himself and mankind. From this we see that the only useless suffering is the suffering we do not accept and offer to God; every other suffering is redemptive.
SILENT ADORATION
OPENING PRAYER
Leader: Loving Father,
your Son Jesus Christ suffered for us,
leaving us an example
so that we might follow in his footsteps.
It was our sins that he bore in his body, on the wood,
in order that, rescued from our sins,
we might live for uprightness.
His wounds brought us healing.
Inspire us by his love,
guide us by his example,
help us to tread the way of the cross,
for we are resolved to follow him
through the narrow path which leads to life.
This we ask in the name of him
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
FIRST READING: Is 50:4c-9a
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
GOSPEL READING: Mk 8:27-35
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 [Series 4, n. 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
A. What insights do we glean from the experience of the Suffering Servant whose trust in God is unflinching? Are we faithful to God’s commands and rely on him for strength and vindication? Have we tried to negate, resist or repel the various trials and sufferings that come our way? Have we let ourselves be overwhelmed with despair in the midst of pain and suffering?
B. Do we look to Christ as the fullfilment of the Suffering Servant song? How does the life of Christ, the Suffering Servant-Messiah, touch us and give us strength? Do we trust that the Lord comes to the aid of his Suffering Servant who suffers in the service of God and for his glory?
C. Do we believe that suffering is an integral element of Christian faith? Do we welcome the reality of suffering as a share in the glorious Passion of Christ? Do we wish to participate more fully in the paschal destiny of Christ, the Suffering Servant-Messiah, as he redeems mankind and rebuilds the world? Do we rejoice that our suffering is a priestly and redemptive act?
PRAYING WITH THE WORD
(Adapted from Days of the Lord, vol. 5, Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1993, p. 228)
Leader: Jesus became the master,
not through others’ sufferings but through his own sufferings.
And he himself has first tasted bitterness
for he has explained to us
that we do not become disciples through titles,
but through suffering.
Assembly: Lord Jesus,
you are our help and strength.
Together with you we taste the bitterness of suffering
and the dregs of human pain.
May we experience the redemptive value of suffering
and the saving meaning of the life-giving cross.
Enable us to take up our cross daily
and follow you on the road that leads to life.
Give us the joy and strength to participate more intimately
in your paschal destiny as Suffering Servant-Messiah.
We thank and praise you
for giving us the grace to suffer with you
and for transforming our suffering into a priestly sacrifice,
for the glory of God and the good of our souls,
now and forever. Amen.
Part III
JESUS LIFE
Acting upon the Word
PERSONAL PRAYER
CONTEMPLATING WITH MARY THE FACE OF CHRIST: The Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary may be prayed in part or in full.
THE WAY OF SOLIDARITY: PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
Priest: Embracing the paschal destiny of Jesus Christ, the Suffering Servant-Messiah, as our very own destiny, we turn to him in prayer and say:
(R.) LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER!
1. We humbly present to you the Holy Father’s General Intention for the month of September: FOR THOSE WHO WORK IN THE MEDIA: May they use every means of communications with responsibility and respect. We pray: (R.)
2. We humbly present to you the Holy Father’s Mission Intention for the month of September: FOR THE PEOPLE IN MISSION LANDS: May they realize their right and duty to keep up to date with developments in the faith and the Church. We pray: (R.)
3. For those who suffer in mind, soul and body, and for those who are convulsed with pain, that they may experience comfort and healing. We pray: (R.)
4. For those who are experiencing that the cost of discipleship is terribly dear, that they may be strengthened by God’s mighty hand. We pray: (R.)
5. For those who have the courage to be non-violent in this violent world and for those who speak out the truth in a society that clings to falsehood and ambivalence, that they may embrace their paschal destiny with complete trust in the Lord. We pray: (R.)
6. For Christian disciples who seek to replicate daily in their lives the faithful stance of the Suffering Servant-Messiah. We pray: (R.)
(Other prayers may be added.)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Leader: God our Father,
in obedience to you
your only Son accepted death on the cross
for the salvation of mankind.
We acknowledge the mystery of the cross on earth.
May we receive the gift of redemption in heaven.
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