EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (Vol. 3, n. 22)
4th Sunday of Easter, Year C
April 29, 2007
“I Give My Sheep Eternal Life …”
(+) 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 CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA
Christ promises his followers as a recompense and reward eternal life, exemption from death and corruption, and from the torments the judge inflicts upon the transgressors. By giving life Christ shows that by nature he is life. He does not receive it from another, but supplies it from his own resources. And by eternal life we understand not only length of days which all, both good and bad, shall possess after the resurrection, but also the passing of those days in joy and peace. We may also see in the word “life” a reference to the Eucharist, by means of which Christ implants in believers his own life through their sharing in his flesh, according to the text: He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.
SILENT ADORATION
OPENING PRAYER
Leader: Let us pray that Christ our shepherd
will lead us through the difficulties of this life.
(Silent prayer)
Almighty and ever-living God,
give us new strength from the courage of Christ our Shepherd,
and lead us to join the saints in heaven,
where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever.
Assembly: Amen.
Part I
JESUS MASTER TRUTH
Listening to the Word
FIRST READING: Acts 13:14, 43-52
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
GOSPEL READING: Jn 10:27-30
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. 22]: 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. How does Jesus’ description of his sheep impact us: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them and they follow me” (Jn 10:27)? Do we truly belong to the flock of the Good Shepherd who hear his voice and follow him? How many times did we fail to listen to his voice and follow him? What provoked this resistance to the shepherding love of Christ?
B. Do we trust in the promise of the Good Shepherd to give us eternal life and in his assurance that we will not perish? What are the situations of conflict and distress in which we lose hope in the love and protection of the Good Shepherd? Are we ready to be embraced by the strong arms of the Good Shepherd and eager to receive with joy his gift of eternal life?
C. When we are rejected and suffer adversity, do we follow the example of Paul and Barnabas who are open to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit? Are we ready to be Christ’s instruments of salvation like the apostles? Trusting in the care and love of the Good Shepherd, do we endeavor to give witness to the Gospel to all peoples, nations and cultures? In our daily lives, do we endeavor to be an Easter people filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit?
PRAYING WITH THE WORD
(A prayer composed by Blessed James Alberione)
Leader: Jesus Good Shepherd,
who brought from heaven the fire of your love,
give us your heart.
Inflame us with the desire for the glory of God
and with a great love for our brothers and sisters.
Make us sharers in your apostolate.
Live in us,
that we may radiate you in word, in suffering,
in pastoral action, in the example of a good life.
We offer you ourselves as docile and faithful sheep,
to become worthy of cooperating
in your pastoral mission in the Church.
Dispose all minds and hearts to receive your grace.
Come, divine Shepherd, guide us.
May there soon be one flock and one Shepherd.
Assembly: 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: With trust and confidence, let us present our petitions to our loving God who gave us his Son Jesus Christ, as our Good Shepherd. 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 respond 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. That the people of today and in very culture may be disposed to receive the shepherding love of Jesus, the Risen Lord, we pray: (R.)
4. That on the occasion of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, our prayers that there be an increase of priestly and religious vocations may be heard, we pray: (R.)
5. That on this Good Shepherd Sunday, we may receive with joy the shepherding love of Jesus and welcome the numerous inspirations of the Holy Spirit, the Risen Lord’s Easter gift to us, we pray: (R.)
6. That like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, we may care for vocations to the ministerial priesthood and to the consecrated life, we pray: (R.)
7. That all of us may become instruments of salvation to the people around us and carry out Christ’s pastoral ministry, especially to the poor and the sick, the suffering and the lost, we pray: (R.)
(Other prayers may be added.)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Leader: God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, though your people walk in the valley of darkness, no evil should they fear; for they follow in faith the call of the shepherd whom you have sent for their hope and strength. Attune our minds to the sound of his voice, lead our steps in the path he has shown, that we may know the strength of his outstretched arm and enjoy the light of your presence forever. We ask this in the name of Jesus the 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