EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (Vol. 3, n. 52)
Solemnity of Christ the King, Year C
November 25, 2007
“Christ the King: A Sign of Hope”
(+) 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
On this last Sunday of the liturgical year, we are invited as Church to contemplate the benevolent King par excellence – Jesus Christ, the Lord of all creation and the Good Shepherd who came to save and unify all nations. The kingship of Jesus Christ is unique. He reigns from the throne of the cross. And in his reign and triumph on the cross, he opens the doors of paradise to those who recognize him as the crucified King of all. Indeed, Christ’s kingship is intensely eschatological. It is deeply accomplished in his triumph over evil and death and his glorification at the right hand of the Father, and we look forward to the definitive coming of his kingdom at the end time. The crucified Lord is also the “king of eschatological glory”.
SILENT ADORATION
OPENING PRAYER
Leader: Father all-powerful, God of love,
you have raised our Lord Jesus Christ from death to life,
resplendent in glory as King of creation.
Open our hearts,
free all the world to rejoice in his peace,
to glory in his justice,
to live in his love.
Bring all mankind together in Jesus Christ your Son,
whose kingdom is with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Assembly: Amen.
Part I
JESUS MASTER TRUTH
Listening to the Word
FIRST READING: II Sm 5:1-3
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
GOSPEL READING: Lk 23:35-43
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. 52]: 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
What is the meaning of “anointing” in the Old Testament? What is the implication of David being “anointed” king of Israel? What is the mission of the “anointed” king? How is he a sign of the presence and power of God? Was King David a “sign of hope” for the people of Israel?
2 Why is Jesus Christ the fulfillment of the messianic prophecies and expectations for the end-time king? How did he disillusion the expectations of many of his countrymen? Why is the kingship of Christ unique? Why did he fulfill his kingship on the throne of the cross?
3 Are we willing to subject ourselves to Christ the King? Do we embrace his kingship of love and sacrifice, not of political power and domination? Do we relish the “already … but not yet” character of his kingdom? Do we look forward to the coming of his kingdom in glory at the end-time?
PRAYING WITH THE WORD
(Adapted from the Preface of Christ the King and a Prayer by St. Bernard of Clairvaux)
Leader: Father,
all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks.
You anointed Jesus Christ, your only Son,
with the oil of gladness,
as the eternal priest and universal king.
As priest he offered his life on the altar of the cross
and redeemed the human race by this one perfect sacrifice of peace.
As king he claims dominion over all creation,
that he may present to you, his almighty Father,
an eternal and universal kingdom:
a kingdom of truth and life,
a kingdom of holiness and grace,
a kingdom of justice, love and peace.
Assembly: Blessed are they in whom Jesus will reign for ever,
for they shall reign with him,
and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Oh, that Jesus, out of the love he has for his people,
may remember me, a sinner, when he comes into his kingdom!
Oh, that he may deign to come and save me
on the day when he delivers up his kingdom to his God and Father,
so that I may see the joy of his chosen ones
and rejoice in the gladness of his people.
Then I too shall be able to praise him together with his inheritance.
Jesus is my Lord.
I keep myself for him since I acknowledge his rights over me.
To me he is God, to me he is the Lord,
and I declare: I will have no king but the Lord Jesus!
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 November: RESPECT FOR LIFE – That medical researchers and legislators may have a deep respect for human life from its beginning to its natural conclusion. We pray: (R.)
2. For the Holy Father’s Mission Intention for this month of November: PEACE IN KOREA – That the Spirit of reconciliation and peace may grow in the Korean Peninsula. We pray: (R.)
3. For kings and rulers of this world, and for civil authorities: that they may have the heart of Jesus, the King-Shepherd. We pray: (R.)
4. For those who yearn for and those who promote God’s kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace. We pray: (R.)
5. For the entire creation: that they may all be integrated and healed in Jesus Christ, the King of universe. We pray: (R.)
(Other prayers may be added.)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Leader: Lord,
you give us Christ, the King of all creation,
as font of everlasting life and as the fullness of salvation.
Help us to live by his gospel
and bring us to the joy of his kingdom,
where he lives and reigns forever and ever.
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