EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (Vol. 3, n. 20)
2nd Sunday of Easter, Year C
April 15-21, 2007
“A Touch of Divine Mercy”
(+) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(A moment of silence)
SONG: Any Eucharistic hymn, Easter hymn or any appropriate song may be sung.
WORDS OF ST. AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO
My dear people, you, like myself, are well aware that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the one physician capable of bringing us eternal healing and salvation. We know, too, that it was in order to accomplish this that he took upon himself the weakness of our human nature, otherwise that weakness would have remained with us forever. He equipped himself with a human body liable to death, so that in and through that body he might conquer death itself. And though, as the apostle tells us, it was his human weakness that made it possible for him to be crucified, it was his divine power that enabled him to return to life … It was by his wounds that Christ, who had so often healed the manifold wounds of others, came to be recognized … He knew his disciples bore within their hearts a wound so deep that the only way to cure it was to retain the scars of his own wounds in his body.
SILENT ADORATION
OPENING PRAYER
Leader: God of mercy,
you wash away our sins in water,
you give us new birth in the Spirit,
and redeem us in the blood of Christ.
As we celebrate Christ’s resurrection
increase our awareness of these blessings,
and renew your gift of life within us.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Assembly: Amen.
Part I
JESUS MASTER TRUTH
Listening to the Word
FIRST READING: Acts 5:12-16
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
GOSPEL READING: Jn 20:19-31
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 5, n. 20]: 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, Easter hymn or song of praise may be sung.
Part II
JESUS MASTER WAY
POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART
A. Why did Thomas want to touch the Lord? What was the Lord’s response to his temerity and boldness in asking for a palpable sign? How did the Risen Lord’s offer of touch transform Thomas? Do we yearn for the healing touch of our Lord Jesus – in what situations? Have we ever experienced the Lord’s touch of divine mercy?
B. What were the signs and wonders done among the people by the hands of the apostles? What hope did the apostles give to the people broken in body and spirit? Why did the people yearn for the touch of the apostles – that even the falling of the shadow of Peter was a source of consolation? Do we believe that the healing ministry and charism is an integral part of the apostolic Church? Do we give thanks to the Risen Lord for this wonderful gift?
C. What are the various cures and “resurrections” that we witness and experience in today’s broken world? What role do we play in these “signs and wonders” Do we strive to be instruments of God’s healing touch and expressions of the divine mercy? Do we acknowledge that conversion is a healing experience of which we need to take a part? Are we heartened by the astounding reality that “Christ is risen” and that he is ever present in the faith community with his touch of divine grace and healing love?
PRAYING WITH THE WORD
(Cf. L. Groslambert, Fiche de chant I 168 // Days of the Lord, vol. 3, p. 106)
Leader: Without having seen we believe. Christ fulfills the promise.
Assembly: Christ is truly risen. He is our rebirth.
Leader: The spirit of the Son witnesses to it, burning desire for the Father.
Assembly: Alleluia, alleluia! Christ is our rebirth.
Leader: Christ is lifted from the dead and draws us into glory.
Assembly: Christ is exalted in his flesh. He is our hope.
Leader: Why seek among the dead the living heart of the earth?
Assembly: Alleluia, alleluia! Christ is our hope.
Leader: We feel this day rise like a shining sun.
Assembly: Christ strikes fire in our hearts, the burning love of the Passover.
Leader: On our paths may we find the torch that dispels the night.
Assembly: Alleluia, alleluia! The burning day of the Passover!
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: With trust and confidence, let us present our petitions to our loving God who raised his Son Jesus from the dead. Let us say to him:
(R.) LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER.
1. For the Holy Father’s General Intention for this month of April: That allowing themselves to be enlightened by the Holy Spirit, all Christians may answer enthusiastically and faithfully to the universal call to sanctity. We pray: (R.)
2. For the Holy Father’s Mission Intention for this month of April: That the number of priestly and religious vocations may grow in North America and the countries of the Pacific Ocean in order to adequately meet the pastoral and missionary needs of those populations. We pray: (R.)
3. For those in need of God’s healing touch and divine mercy, we pray: (R.)
4. For those called to be instruments of God’s healing love and for those who endeavor to touch the people around them with divine mercy, we pray: (R.)
(Other prayers may be added.)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Leader: Father of love,
may the Easter sacraments we have received
touch our inmost self
and may we become instruments
of your healing love to others.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Assembly: Amen.
FINAL SONG: Any Eucharistic hymn, Easter 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