EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (Vol. 3, n. 40)
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
September 2, 2007
“The Humble at the Feast of the Kingdom”
(+) 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. Days of the Lord, vol. 6, Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1991, p. 186)
Charles de Foucauld said that Jesus took the last place for himself so well that no one could ever take it from him. But we know that because of this, he was exalted to the right hand of the Father in the inaccessible glory that belongs to him as Son. And yet, he allows us to share in it by traveling, with him, a similar paschal road. Baptized into his death and resurrection, we have drawn near to God and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant who is open to the poor, the lame, the blind, and those sick with every illness that requires a doctor. We have no right to raise or thrust ourselves into the places of honor. But God’s strength is great, and it is on his grace that we rely: He exalts the humble, he seats them at his Table and, showing them the example, he, the Master, goes among them as a servant.
SILENT ADORATION
OPENING PRAYER
Leader: Lord,
protect your people always,
that they may be free from every evil.
May they serve you faithfully and with humble hearts.
May they joyfully participate
in the banquet of your Kingdom.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Assembly: Amen.
Part I
JESUS MASTER TRUTH
Listening to the Word
FIRST READING: Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
GOSPEL READING: Lk 14:1, 7-14
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. 40]: 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 did Ben Sirach tell us, “Humble yourself and you will find favor with God”? What is the meaning of humility? How is it related to truth and the vocation of Israel as God’s chosen people? What are our personal experiences of fragility, poverty and limitations? Have we recognized our littleness as well as our true worth and dignity?
B. What is the lesson that Jesus imparts to the invited guests seeking places of honor at table? What is the lesson of humility that Jesus is addressing to us personally? What is the importance of keeping a humble stance at the banquet of the Kingdom? Are we humble enough to recognize our total dependence on God? In a spirit of humility, are we willing to surrender our entire being to his divine saving will?
C. Why does Jesus command us: “When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind …” (Lk 14:13)? Do we endeavor to extend Jesus’ invitation to the feast of the Kingdom to all, especially the poor and the underprivileged? Do we realize that we too belong to “the poor” category and that our participation in the Kingdom banquet is sheer grace? Are we thankful and grateful to the Lord for calling us to the feast of the Kingdom and for making us instruments of his invitation to others? Does the spirit of humility lead us to greater openness to grace and service to the poor?
PRAYING WITH THE WORD
Leader: Loving Father,
teach us the spirit of humility,
which is the way of truth and greater openness to grace.
Help us to recognize our fragility, poverty
and total dependence on your power and might.
Grant that we may keep a humble stance
at the banquet of your Kingdom
for our participation in the heavenly feasting is sheer grace,
and not based on our accomplishments and merits.
Humbly acknowledging that our presence in the Kingdom feast
is your act of benevolence and goodness,
help us to willingly and zealously share the joy of feasting with others,
especially the poor and the underprivileged.
Our compassionate God,
make us always turn to you with humble and loving hearts.
May we always remember the exhortation of Jesus, the Divine Master:
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (Lk 14:11).
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 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 September: FOR THE ROMANIAN ASSEMBLY: That the ecumenical assembly in Romania this month may contribute to the growth of unity among all Christians. We pray: (R.)
2. For the Holy Father’s Mission Intention for this month of September: FOR MISSIONARIES: That, following Christ joyfully, all missionaries may know how to overcome the difficulties they meet in everyday life. We pray: (R.)
3. That the Christian community may truly be animated with the spirit of humility and humble service. We pray: (R.)
4. That by our life of humility and service to the poor and the underprivileged, we may offer to them God’s invitation to the feast of his Kingdom. We pray: (R.)
5. That we may all partake in the joy of feasting in the eternal Kingdom. We pray: (R.)
6. That the “Magnificat” of Mary, most humble Virgin, may continue to be sung by the Church, especially in their life of holiness and service to God’s anawim. We pray: (R.)
(Other prayers may be added.)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Leader: Lord,
bless us with your heavenly gifts.
With humble hearts,
let us serve you and make prepare us to do your saving 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