EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (# 11)
A Weekly Pastoral Tool for the YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Feb. 6-12, 2005
“Salt of the Earth … Light of the World”
(+) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(A moment of silence)
SONG: Any suitable Eucharistic hymn or any other appropriate song may be sung.
WORDS OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
(Cf. Eighth Baptismal Catechesis 4, 18-26, 33)
We who have once for all clothed ourselves in Christ, and have been made worthy to have him dwelling within us, may show everyone, if we choose, simply by the strict discipline of our life and without saying a word, the power of him who dwells in us. Therefore Christ said: Let your light so shine before all, that people may see your good works and praise your Father in heaven. This is a light that reaches not only the bodily senses, but also illuminates the beholder’s mind and soul. It disperses the darkness of evil, and invites those who encounter it to let their own light shine forth, and to follow the example of virtue …
By the perfection of your lives attract to yourselves the grace of the Spirit, so that the Lord of all creation may be glorified, and so that we may all be found worthy of the kingdom of heaven by the grace, mercy, and goodness of God’s only begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit be glory, might, and honor now and for ever and for endless ages. Amen.
SILENT ADORATION AND PRAYER
OPENING PRAYER
(Cf. “Prayer for One’s Own Vocation” by Blessed James Alberione)
Leader: Heavenly Father, I believe in your wisdom and love. I believe you created me for heaven, marked out for me the way to reach it, and await me there to give me the reward of the faithful servant. Give me light and show me this way.
Assembly: Grant me the strength to follow it generously. I beg this of you, through Jesus Christ your son and through Mary my Queen and Mother. At the moment of death, may I be able to say with St. Paul: “I have finished the course. I have fought the good fight. Now there is laid up for me the crown of the just.”
Part I
JESUS MASTER TRUTH
Listening to the Word
GOSPEL READING: Mt 5:13-16
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 [# 11]: 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 suitable hymn of praise or song may be sung.
Part II
JESUS MASTER WAY
Confrontation with the Word
POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART
Leader: It is the Spirit of Jesus, the true Light of the world, who really makes us know the saving mystery of Christ’s paschal mystery, the saving event we need to radiate and share with others. By the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us, let us now make our examination of the heart.
1. Are we “the salt of the earth … the light of the world? In what way?
2. Is the heavenly Father being glorified by our daily acts of Christian witnessing? Do we have purity of intention and an immense “candle power” as we carry out our works as Christian disciples?
3. What happens if our vocation-mission to be “the salt of the earth … the light of the world” seems to wane? What do we do personally to revive this vital Christian vocation-mission?
PENITENTIAL PRAYER
Leader: Lord our God,
you call us out of darkness into light,
out of self-deception into truth,
out of death into life.
Send us your Holy Spirit
to open our ears to your call.
Fill our hearts with courage
to be true followers of your Son.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Assembly: Amen.
SONG: Any suitable song may be sung.
Part III
JESUS LIFE
Acting upon the Word
PERSONAL PRAYER
CONTEMPLATING WITH MARY THE FACE OF CHRIST: The Mysteries of Light of the Rosary may be prayed in part or in full.
PRAYING WITH THE WORD
Leader: Lord Jesus,
you called us to become “the salt of the earth … the light of the world”.
Help us to treasure the nobility and dignity
of this wonderful vocation.
As “the salt of the earth” and by our zestful Christian witnessing,
help us to improve the quality of human existence
and enable our brothers and sisters to relish the joy of salvation.
Let the light of your grace guide us.
Help us to share our bread with the hungry,
to shelter the oppressed and the homeless,
to provide for the needs of the poor,
to defend the marginalized,
and to aid refugees and migrants from their homeland,
seeking means of survival in a foreign and, at times, hostile land.
Moved by the Holy Spirit
to participate more fully in the paschal mystery of your saving love,
may we be truly “the light of the word” – “the city on the mountaintop”.
In sharing the heart-warming radiance of your compassion
through our charitable works and service of healing,
may God the Father be glorified now and forever.
Assembly: Amen.
(Other prayers may be added.)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Leader: With longing for God’s kingdom of light, we pray.
Assembly: OUR FATHER …
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Leader: Father,
watch over your family
and keep us safe in your care,
for all our hope is in you.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Assembly: Amen.
FINAL SONG: Any suitable Eucharistic hymn or 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