EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (Vol. 3, n. 25)
Ascension of the Lord, Year C
May 17 or May 20, 2007
“Jesus Was Taken Up into Heaven …”
(+) 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. LEO THE GREAT
The ascension of Christ thus means our own elevation as well; where the glorious Head has gone before, the Body is called to follow in hope. Let us therefore exult, beloved, as it is fitting, and let us rejoice in devout thanksgiving. For on this day not only have we been confirmed in our possession of paradise, but we have even entered heaven in the person of Christ; through his ineffable grace we have regained far more than we had lost through the devil’s hatred.
SILENT ADORATION
OPENING PRAYER
Leader: God our Father,
make us joyful in the ascension of your Son Jesus Christ.
May we follow him into the new creation,
for his ascension is our glory and our hope.
We ask this through Christ our Lord, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever.
Amen.
Assembly: Amen.
Part I
JESUS MASTER TRUTH
Listening to the Word
FIRST READING: Acts 1:1-11
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
GOSPEL READING: Lk 24:44-53
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. 25]: 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
Confrontation with the Word
POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART
A. What is the meaning of Jesus’ ascension into heaven? Why is it a form of presence? How is the form of presence of the glorified and ascended Lord different from the earthly presence of Jesus of Nazareth? What is the meaning of sacramental presence? What are our own personal experiences of the presence of the Risen Lord?
B. Do we give ourselves time and opportunity to contemplate the mystery of the Lord’s ascension? What is the significance of this mystery in our own daily life? Do we personally feel a deep participation in the Lord’s exaltation and in the Church’s mission to be witnesses of Christ to the ends of the earth?
C. Do we open ourselves to the Risen Lord’s gift of the Spirit? Do we trust that in the Church’s age of mission, we are filled, empowered and energized by the Spirit of Jesus, the glorified Lord? How do we carry out our task of Christian witnessing in the Holy Spirit? In our life of ministry and witnessing, do we enable the people around us to experience the presence of Christ our Hope, raised into heaven?
III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD
(Cf. Cl. Bernard, Hymne pour l’Office du soir le jour de l’Ascension, in La liturgie des Heures, vol. 2, p. 720, Fiche de chant j 36-2 // Days of the Lord, vol. 3, Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1993, p. 225)
Leader: O Son of God resurrected, why do we seek your face in the skies?
You come to us on every shore of humanity.
Assembly: Heaven is where you descend.
You give living water to your people, living Love,
and you draw us like a stream into your current.
Leader: The joy promised to our thirst:
how shall we seize it in both hands before the evening?
Assembly: In partaking of your Supper and of your cross.
Leader: You will return to transfigure the world eager to be reborn in your light.
Assembly: You are the glory of your Father, God revealed.
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 exalted his Son Jesus Christ and glorified him through the mystery of the Ascension. Let us say to our almighty God:
(R.) LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER.
1. For the Holy Father’s General Intention for this month of May: That following the example of the Virgin Mary, all Christians may allow themselves to be guided by the word of God and always remain attentive to the signs of the Lord in their own lives. We pray: (R.)
2. For the Holy Father’s Mission Intention for this month of May: That in mission territories there may be sufficient numbers of good and enlightened teachers in the major seminaries and in the institutes of consecrated life. We pray: (R.)
3. For the modern means of social communications: that they may be rightly used to proclaim the Easter joy and resound throughout the world the Good News of salvation. We pray: (R.)
4. For today’s Christian disciples: That they may truly experience the gift of new presence made possible by the Lord’s ascension into heaven. We pray: (R.)
5. For those who promote justice, peace and the integrity of creation: That empowered by the Holy Spirit, they may incarnate the glorified Lord’s new presence in today’s world. We pray: (R.)
6. For our deceased brothers and sisters: That they may relish the astounding joy made possible for them by the Risen Lord, glorified and ascended into heaven. We pray: (R.)
(Other prayers may be added.)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Leader: Father in heaven,
our minds were prepared for the coming of your kingdom
when you took Christ beyond our sight
so that we might seek him in his glory.
May we follow where he has led
and find our hope in his glory,
for he is Lord for ever.
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