EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (Vol. 3, n. 5)
Feast of the Holy Family, Year C
December 31, 2006 – January 6, 2007
“Dedicated to the Lord …”
(+) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(A moment of silence)
SONG: Any Eucharistic hymn, Christmas hymn or any appropriate song may be sung.
INTRODUCTION
(Cf. Geoffrey Preston in Meditations on the Sunday Gospel, Year C, ed. John Rotelle, New York: New City Press, 1998, p. 24)
Christian joy results from an option, from choosing to say that life has meaning, even though the only name we can give that meaning is Jesus of Nazareth. All we have to go on is the word of God, that history is a history of redemption … In the infancy stories there is already present the passion, death and resurrection of Christ: Jesus the child grows in stature, and in growing learns to die … The story of Stephen, and the Innocents, and the three days’ loss of Jesus teach us to interpret the very darkness of the world as a sign of Christ’s coming.
SILENT ADORATION
OPENING PRAYER
Leader: Father in heaven, creator of all,
you ordered the earth to bring forth life
and crowned its goodness by creating the family of man.
In history’s moment when all was ready,
you sent your Son to dwell in time,
obedient to the laws of life in our world.
Teach us the sanctity of human love,
show us the value of family life,
and help us to live in peace with all men
that we may share in your life forever.
Assembly: Amen.
Part I
JESUS MASTER TRUTH
Listening to the Word
FIRST READING: I Sm 1:20-22, 24-28
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
GOSPEL READING: Lk 2:41-52
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. 5]: 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, Christmas hymn or any appropriate song may be sung.
Part II
JESUS MASTER WAY
Confrontation with the Word
POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART
A. What are our experiences of great helplessness, humiliation and distress? Like the distraught Hannah, did we turn to God for recourse and saving help? Are we willing to intensify our prayers to God with concrete acts of sacrifice? Like Hannah, are we willing to dedicate and offer something really precious to the Lord?
B. What are some moments of crisis that we experience in our family and religious community? How do we come to grips with moments of loss and distress? Do we imitate the faith and diligence of Joseph and Mary in the seeking of the boy Jesus in the temple? When we are anxious do we turn to the Lord?
C. Do we perceive the Easter-paschal mystery that is contained in the Gospel episode of the loss and finding of Jesus in the temple? Do we contemplate the meaning and implication of Jesus being the totally consecrated One to the heavenly Father’s saving will? Like Jesus are we willing to be called to his Father’s house and be obedient to the divine Easter plan? Like Jesus do we strive “to advance in wisdom and age and favor before God and man”? Do we endeavor to expand our horizon beyond the level of the domestic family and community towards the greater family of nations and the expanse of God’s beloved creation?
PRAYING WITH THE WORD
(Adapted from M. Coste, cf. Days of the Lord, vol. 1, p. 241)
Leader: He came among his own, the Messiah of the poor;
he came the child promised for centuries!
He took flesh on our earth.
Assembly: O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord. (sung)
Leader: He comes to us in these days, the resurrected Christ of Easter;
he comes to us the Lamb, the first fruits of another age!
He gives life to all his brethren.
Assembly: O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord. (sung)
Leader: He will return at the last day, the Lord of glory;
he will return, the King, conqueror among the angels!
He will bring us to his Father.
Assembly: O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord. (sung)
Part III
JESUS LIFE
Acting upon the Word
PERSONAL PRAYER
CONTEMPLATING WITH MARY THE FACE OF CHRIST: The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary may be prayed in part or in full.
THE WAY OF SOLIDARITY: PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
Priest: Let us turn to God the Father, the author and font of strength for all Christian families, and present to him our humble petitions and say:
(R.) LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER.
1. For the Church, the family of Christian believers: may it be a sign of God’s welcoming spirit, care and concern for all. We pray: (R.)
2. For all families: may they promote the positive values of culture and society and provide the favorable environment conducive to the integral development of the human person. We pray: (R.)
3. For families in crisis and wounded by unhealthy and painful relationships: may the love of God and respect for one another prevail. We pray: (R.)
4. For those called by God to be totally consecrated to him in priestly and religious ministry: may they lovingly and fully respond to God’s saving plan for them and for all. We pray: (R.)
5. For the family of nations: may they respond to the needs of the poor, the hungry, the sick, and the victims of natural and man-made calamities. We pray: (R.)
6. For the Holy Family Institute founded by Blessed James Alberione: may it continue to flourish and zealously promote the sanctity of family life. We pray: (R.)
7. For all of us gathered here: may our hearts be filled with praise and thanksgiving for the blessings we have received in the past year and may we look forward with joyful expectation to the many graces prepared for us in the coming new year. We pray: (R.)
(Other prayers may be added.)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Leader: Jesus,
your family life with Mary and Joseph had challenges
like the ones we experience in our own family and community.
Help us be respectfully and sensitively open and honest with each other,
while adjusting to other’s needs
in ways that promote true harmony and peace.
We adore you and trust in you
for you are our Lord and God,
forever and ever.
Assembly: Amen.
FINAL SONG: Any Eucharistic hymn, Christmas hymn or any appropriate song 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