EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (Vol. 3, n. 36)
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
August 5-11, 2007
“Our Vocation to Beatitude”
(+) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(A moment of silence)
SONG: Any Eucharistic hymn or any other appropriate song may be sung.
INTRODUCTION
(Cf. Romano Guardini, Meditations on the Sunday Gospel, Year C, ed. John Rotelle, New York: New City Press, 1998, p. 108-109)
The more deeply people realize that Christ is the essential, the less concerned they will be about everything else. Thus they are armed for the struggle to come, given a foundation of indestructibility. Do not be afraid. You will think yourself forsaken, but you will be safe and sound. Where? In the hands of divine providence … To the extent that a man recognizes God as his Father, that he places his trust in him and makes his kingdom the primary concern of his heart, to precisely that extent a new order of being unfolds about him, one in which For those who love God all things work together unto good. And those who love God are those who hold fast to his Son. Tremendous words, condition for the realization of the providential order is Christ himself. Jesus is attempting to anchor the hearts and minds of his disciples in reality. He wants them to sense what counts in God’s eyes, and what does not … Thus Jesus roots his followers in the indestructible. Gently he immunizes them to all unreality … He is stripping them for the coming struggle, concentrating their forces, teaching them how to become invulnerable.
SILENT ADORATION
OPENING PRAYER
Leader: Lord God,
in your great mercy,
enrich your people with your grace
and strengthen them with your blessing
so that they may praise you always.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
Assembly: Amen.
Part I
JESUS MASTER TRUTH
Listening to the Word
FIRST READING: Eccl 1:2, 2:21-23
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
GOSPEL READING: Lk 12:13-21
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. 36]: 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 song of praise may be sung.
Part II
JESUS MASTER WAY
Confrontation with the Word
POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART
A. Why does Qoheleth consider the feverish human drive for wealth and the acquisitive life “vanity”? Why does he say, “All things are vanity”? How is his anguish concerning the folly of human quest an expression of a burning desire for the Absolute? What does Qoheleth say to you personally concerning your relationship with material goods and resources? What personal insights can you glean from Qoheleth about your Christian vocation?
B. What is the challenge you have received from Jesus concerning true riches? How do you respond to his call not to hoard earthly treasures, but rather to seek the treasures of God? Do we allow our vocation to the beatitude in heaven to shape our moral choices, especially with regards to the use of earthly goods and material resources? Do we welcome the challenges given us daily by Jesus concerning our Christian vocation?
C. Are our words and deeds compatible with our baptismal consecration? Do we always seek what is above and put on our “new self” in the Risen Christ? Do we live our Christian vocation fully and thus become a testimony in the world about the beauty and goodness of the heavenly reality? Are we grateful for our Christian vocation and our life hidden with Christ in God? Are we generous in sharing the spiritual gifts we have received from the Lord, such as the grace of forgiveness and love?
PRAYING WITH THE WORD
Leader: Heavenly Father, I believe in your wisdom and love. I believe you created me for heaven, marked out for me the way to reach it, and await me there to give me the reward of the faithful servant. Give me light and show me this way. Grant me the strength to follow it generously. I beg this of you, through Jesus Christ, your Son and through Mary, my Queen and Mother. At the moment of death, may I be able to say with St. Paul: “I have finished the course. I have fought the good fight. Now there is laid up for me the crown of the just.”
Assembly: Amen.
Part III
JESUS LIFE
Acting upon the Word
PERSONAL PRAYER
CONTEMPLATING WITH MARY THE FACE OF CHRIST: The Mysteries of Light 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 the gift of his Son, the Eucharistic Master. Let us say to him:
(R.) LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER.
1. For the Holy Father’s General Intention for this month of August - THOSE SUFFERING INNER TURMOIL: That those who are suffering inner difficulties and trials may find in Christ the light and support that leads to authentic happiness. We pray: (R.)
2. For the Holy Father’s Mission Intention for this month of August - THE CHURCH IN CHINA: That the Church in China may grow in unity and in visible communion with the Pope. We pray: (R.)
3. That all Christians may understand the meaning of their vocation to beatitude and respond to the challenges of their baptismal consecration in the world today. We pray: (R.)
4. That the celebration of the National Vocation Week in Australia (August 5-12, 2007) may bear abundant fruit and increase the number and perseverance of priests, religious and consecrated laity. We pray: (R.)
5. For all of us gathered here that we may generously share our material and spiritual resources with the needy and seek the treasures in heaven that never fade. We pray: (R.)
(Other prayers may be added.)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Leader: Lord,
bless us with your heavenly gifts,
and in your mercy make us ready to do your will.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Assembly: Amen.
FINAL SONG: Any 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