EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (Vol. 3, n. 2)
2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C
December 10-16, 2006
“A Song of Salvation”
(+) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(A moment of silence)
SONG: Any Eucharistic hymn, Advent hymn or any appropriate song may be sung.
INTRODUCTION
(Cf. Andre Retif in Meditations on the Sunday Gospel, Year C, ed. By John Rotelle, New York: New City Press, 1998, p. 16)
John’s stay in the desert was simply a burning expectation of the Savior. All the aspirations of the prophets and the just in Israel and the extremely fervent desire of the remnant of the holy people found in him their concentrated and almost explosive expression … This chaste man of faith had been the first to light his lamp and was like a person waiting … He continues to be the model of every Christian and every missionary, whom each dawn and each sunset should find awaiting the return of the Son of Man anxiously, but without agitation, joining in that expectation of the last things, which we know throbbed in the heart of the early Christians.
SILENT ADORATION
OPENING PRAYER
Leader: God of power and mercy,
open our hearts in welcome.
Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy,
so that we may share his wisdom
and become one with him
when he comes in glory,
for 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: Bar 5:1-9
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
GOSPEL READING: Lk 3:1-6
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. 2]: 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, Advent 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 are some of our experiences of desolation and consolation? How does the text from the Book of Baruch impinge on our human experience? How does the prophetic vision of great triumph and splendor of the returning exiles affect us? Do we believe with faith and trust that God is leading us on the way to salvation?
B. Do we look to Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophetic oracle, “For God will lead Israel with joy, in the light of his glory …”? Do we regard Jesus as the architect of reunification of all nations, coming from the fours corners of the earth, whose nativity at Bethlehem we celebrate and whose coming at the end time we await?
C. Do we realize with gratitude that God has been leading us to a glorious return, leveling mountains and filling up valleys, to hasten and facilitate our return to the heavenly Jerusalem, our true home? How do we respond to the Advent challenge proclaimed and resounded by John the Baptist from the prophet Isaiah: “ Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight his paths … all flesh shall see the salvation of God”?
PRAYING WITH THE WORD
(Adapted from a prayer by D. Rimaud, cf. Days of the Lord, vol. 1)
Leader: Leave your sorrows and tears,
put on your garments of joy:
The one who is coming
comes on the clouds!
The love of God guides us;
his glory is our light:
The one who is coming
comes victorious!
Why do you not hasten
toward the day of your God?
The one who is coming
comes for our joy!
Prepare his way;
accept his pardon;
each of us will see the grace of our God
on the day of judgment!
Assembly: Happy the one who believed
that one day would be fulfilled
the words of our God
for all men whom he loves.
Behold, the times are come
when the lord of justice
will fulfill his promise of Peace
for all men whom he loves.
Part III
JESUS LIFE
Acting upon the Word
PERSONAL PRAYER
CONTEMPLATING WITH MARY THE FACE OF CHRIST: The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary may be prayed in part or in full.
THE WAY OF SOLIDARITY: PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
Priest: Advent is a time for trusting prayer and heartfelt invocation to God, the Lord of history. Let us ask him to look kindly on us as we humbly present to him all our petitions, as we say/sing:
(R.) MARANATHA! COME O CHRIST, THE LORD!
1. For the Holy Father’s General Intention for the month of December: FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERS OF NATIONS: May Christ, meek and humble of heart, inspire leaders of nations to exercise their authority wisely and responsibly. Let us pray/sing: (R.)
2. For the Holy Father’s Mission Intention for the month of December: FOR MISSIONARIES: May they live their vocation to follow Jesus with joy and enthusiasm. Let us pray/sing: (R.)
3. For the victims of violence, hatred and war, of natural and man-made calamities: May the vision of hope and glory of the loving God who leads them home heal and strengthen them, and give them consolation. Let us pray/sing: (R.)
4. For those who promote the beauty and dignity of life in all its aspects and for those who fight the culture of death in its many violent forms: May the kingdom of God be theirs. Let us pray/sing: (R.)
5. For those who endeavor to prepare the path of Christ in today’s world and for those who work to bring peoples and creation united with God. Let us pray/sing: (R.)
6. For those who take up the prophetic stance of John the Baptist in our midst and all those who inspire the poor and the suffering with the song of salvation: May God bless them with courage, strength and love. Let us pray/sing: (R.)
7. For our faithful departed: May they see the beatitude of God and his kingdom in its fullness. Let us pray/sing: (R.)
(Other prayers may be added.)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Leader: Father of love,
your song of salvation resounded by the prophet
renewed a suffering people.
We await the healing power of Christ your Son.
He is the true Way that leads us
to the light and splendor of your glory.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
Assembly: Amen.
FINAL SONG: Any Eucharistic hymn, Advent 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