EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
4th Sunday of Advent, Year C
December 24, 2006
(+) In the name of the Father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(A moment of silent prayer)
SONG: Any Eucharistic hymn, Advent hymn, or any appropriate song may be sung.
If Christ is growing in us, if we are at peace, recollected, because we know that however insignificant our life seems to be, from it he is forming himself; if we go with eager will, in haste, to wherever our circumstances compel us, because we believe that he desires to be in that place, we shall find that we are driven more and more to act on that impulse of love … We must be swift to obey the winged impulse of his love, carrying him to wherever he longs to be: and those who recognize his presence will be stirred, like Elizabeth, with new life. They will know his presence, not by any special beauty or power shown by us, but in the way that the bud knows the presence of the light, by the unfolding in themselves, a putting forth of their own beauty.
OPENING PRAYER
Leader: Come Lord Jesus,
do not delay;
give new courage to your people
who trust in your love.
By your coming,
raise us to the joy of your kingdom,
where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Assembly: Amen.
Part I
JESUS MASTER TRUTH
Listening to the Word
FIRST READING: Mic 5:1-4a
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
GOSPEL READING: Lk 1:39-45
(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. 4]: 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 any song of praise may be sung.
Part II
JESUS MASTER WAY
Confrontation with the Word
POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART
How does Micah’s vision of a future ruler in Israel - a great leader who would shepherd his flock – help us appreciate the role of Jesus in salvation history and in our own life? What images are evoked in us by Micah’s reference to Bethlehem, a small and insignificant region in the tribe of Judah?
What insights do we glean from the Gospel episode of Mary’s visitation to her cousin Elizabeth? Do we welcome with joy the presence of Jesus, the gift brought by Mary to others, the gift that she brings into our lives?
Are we swift to obey the winged impulse of Christ’s love, carrying him to wherever he longs to be so that those who recognize his presence will be stirred like Elizabeth, with new life? Like Mary, are we bearers of Christ and carriers of good tidings to a world in need of redemption and healing?
Leader: Father, all-powerful God,
your eternal Word took flesh on our earth
when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan.
Lift our minds in watchful hope
to hear the voice which announces his glory
and open our minds to receive the Spirit
who prepares us for his coming.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Assembly: Amen.
Part III
JESUS LIFE
Acting upon the Word
PERSONAL PRAYER
CONTEMPLATING WITH MARY THE FACE OF CHRIST
THE WAY OF SOLIDARITY: PRAYER OF INTERCESSIONS
Priest: Advent is a time for trusting prayer and heartfelt invocation to God, the font of joy. Let us ask him to look kindly on us as we humbly present to him our petitions, as we say/sing:
(R.) MARANATHA! COME O CHRIST, THE LORD!
That God may give new courage and joy to the Church as they prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Savior. Let us pray/sing: (R.)
That our Christmas celebration may bring healing to a wounded world and renew the gift of joy in our lives. Let us pray/sing: (R.)
That Jesus may always be for us “the gift brought to others” and that we endeavor to be bearers of the joy of Christ to all. Let us pray/sing: (R.)
That the praying and serving Church, at the threshold of Christmas celebration, may always be concerned with the needs of others, especially the poor, the destitute, the lonely and the abandoned. Let us pray/sing: (R.)
(Other prayers may be added.)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Leader: Lord,
hear the prayers of your people.
May we who celebrate the birth of your Son as man
rejoice in the gift of eternal life
when he comes in glory
for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Assembly: Amen.
SONG: Any Eucharistic hymn, Advent hymn, or any 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