EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (Vol. 3, n. 43)
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
September 23-29, 2007
“You Cannot Serve Both God and Mammon”
(+) 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. 220)
God is the Pride, the Honor of the people, the Defender of the voiceless, the weak and the poor. He takes their part. He will not forget the evils done by the powerful and rich. He will have the last word, the supreme Judge who gives justice … But more than a threat, it is a call to conversion that the prophet cries for. The worst thing that could happen would be for God to be silent, for there no longer to arise, in the people and the Church, prophets to denounce evildoing and injustice.
SILENT ADORATION
OPENING PRAYER
(Adapted from a prayer by Bishop H. Camara)
Leader: Allow me, Lord, a special intention for my people, the world of the silenced. There are thousands upon thousands of human creatures – in poor countries and in the poor areas of rich countries – without the right to lift their voices, to shout and protest, however just the rights they seek to defend may be: those without homes, food, clothing, health, a minimum of education; those without work, future, or hope. They will fall into fatalism; they are discouraged; they lose their voice; they fall silent.
If we believe in you, and in various religions, help our rich and privileged brethren – opening their eyes, rousing their conscience – injustices could not increase, the distance between the poor and rich would not be glaring, not only between individuals and groups of individuals, but between countries, and even between continents. Do, Lord, what we did not and still do not know how to do.
Assembly: Amen.
Part I
JESUS MASTER TRUTH
Listening to the Word
FIRST READING: Am 8:4-7
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
GOSPEL READING: Lk 16:1-13
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. 43]: 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
Why did Amos need to go and prophesy to the northern kingdom of Israel? What was the content of his prophecy? Why did he inveigh against the rich and powerful? What were the social injustices of his time? What is the significance of his prophecy to the social situation of today?
2 Why did Jesus speak to his disciples about the Parable of the Unjust Steward? What is the lesson of this parable about our quest for God’s Kingdom? Are we resourceful, creative, enterprising, and decisive in matters dealing with the pursuit of the Kingdom of God?
3 Are we wise in dealing with earthly goods? Do we allow them to enslave us? Are we truly free in relation to them? Do we utilize them responsibly and enterprisingly to promote the Kingdom of God? How do we respond to the challenge of Jesus: “You cannot serve both God and mammon” (Lk 16:13)?
PRAYING WITH THE WORD
(Adapted from a prayer by St. Augustine)
Leader: O Lord, my God, Lord our God,
in order to draw us to yourself,
make us try to find our happiness in you.
We desire not to seek it in gold or silver or fine houses;
we do not desire these earthly goods,
goods so vain and short-lived,
which belong to this fragile life.
May our mouths never speak words of vanity.
Make us put our happiness in you,
for we cannot lose you.
Once we possess you,
we cannot lose you, nor ourselves.
Assembly: We love you.
We choose you our sole and absolute treasure,
now and forever. 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 we may have the courage to confront the various situations in our present society and community that need to be redressed and healed. We pray: (R.)
4. That we may generously contribute our material and spiritual resources to making this world a better place to live in and to help bring about the coming of God’s Kingdom of justice and peace upon all. We pray: (R.)
5. That we may try zealously and continually to make a difference in the lives of the needy and the vulnerable poor. We pray: (R.)
(Other prayers may be added.)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Leader: Lord God,
in your great mercy,
enrich your people with your grace
and strengthen them by your blessing
so that they may praise you always.
Grant 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