EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (# 16)
A Weekly Pastoral Tool for the YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST
5th Sunday of Lent, Year A
March 13-19, 2005
“I Am the Resurrection and the Life”
(+) 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 Lenten song may be sung.
WORDS OF PETER CHRYSOLOGUS
On his return from the underworld, Lazarus comes forth from the tomb like death confronting its conqueror, an image of the resurrection to come … We must consider the way in which our Lord raised Lazarus to life. This action appears to us as the greatest of all his signs. We see in it the supreme example of divine power, the most marvelous of all his wonderful works … The death and raising of Lazarus were a perfect pre-figuration of the death and resurrection of the Lord himself. What the Lord was soon to achieve in himself had already been achieved in his servant … It was necessary that Lazarus should die, so that the faith of the disciples might also rise with him from the dead.
SILENT ADORATION AND PRAYER
OPENING PRAYER
Leader: Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
As a man like us, Jesus wept for Lazarus his friend.
As the eternal God, he raised Lazarus from the dead.
In his love for us all,
Christ gives us the sacraments
to lift us up to everlasting life.
Through him the angels of heaven offer their prayer of adoration
as they rejoice in your presence forever.
May our voices be one with theirs in their triumphant hymn of praise.
Assembly: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Part I
JESUS MASTER TRUTH
Listening to the Word
GOSPEL READING: Jn 11:1-45
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 [# 16]: 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 Lenten song may be sung.
Part II
JESUS MASTER WAY
Confrontation with the Word
POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART
Leader: Faith - the Master demands it, seeks it, evokes it, nourishes it. As a community of believers moving more profoundly towards the Easter mystery and glory, we are confronted today with the miraculous “sign” of Lazarus being raised to life. With thankfulness, let us open our hearts to this great “sign” of God’s power and love. Let us look deep within and see the implications of the Lazarus “sign” for us.
1. In what ways are we experiencing the morbid realities of sin and death? How do we deal with these painful and grievous situations?
2. What is our response to Christ’s faith assurance: “I am the resurrection and the life” (Jn 11:25)? Do we believe that in Christ we will see the paschal triumph of life and see the glory of God?
3. Are we willing to be a “sign” of resurrection in the death-dealing situations of today’s wounded world? As baptized Christians, are we powerful witnesses that we have truly died to sin and risen to new life in Christ? Do we look forward to the final and eschatological resurrection?
PENITENTIAL PRAYER
(Cf. Rite of Penance)
Leader: Lord,
your sons and daughters stand before you
in humility and trust.
Look with compassion on us as we confess our sins.
Heal our wounds;
stretch out a hand of pity to save us and raise us up.
Keep us free from harm as members of Christ’s body,
as sheep of your flock,
as children of your family.
Do not allow the enemy to triumph over us,
or death to claim us forever,
for you raised us to new life in baptism.
Hear, Lord, the prayers we offer from contrite hearts.
Have pity on us as we acknowledge our sins.
Lead us back to the way of holiness.
Protect us now and always from the wounds of sin.
May we ever keep safe in all its fullness
the gift your love once gave us and your mercy now restores.
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
PRAYING WITH THE WORD
(Cf. Lucien Deiss, Biblical Prayer, p. 39)
Leader: Lord Jesus, you are the resurrection and the life.
He who believes in you will not die forever.
With Martha and Mary we implore you:
“Lord, the one you love is ill; he is near death!”
Lift from our hearts the sadness,
which crushes them like a tombstone.
Tear from our faces the wrapping,
which shrouds them as a garment of grief.
And when you weep at the sight of our distress,
as you did at the grave of Lazarus,
we are filled with joy, Lord.
For then we know that your voice will summon us to leave our graves
to live in the joy of your love forever.
Assembly: Amen.
CONTEMPLATING WITH MARY THE FACE OF CHRIST: The Mysteries of the Rosary may be prayed in part or in full.
THE WAY OF SOLIDARITY: PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
Leader: In the resurrection of Lazarus, the loving God has given us a “sign” of Christ’s paschal victory and the tremendous power of divine life. With confidence, we turn to him in faith for he is the font of life and blessing. We pray:
(R.) LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER.
1. For the Church, the community of believers: That they may efficaciously promote the culture of life and overcome the insidious snare of the culture of death, which afflicts today’s world. We pray: (R.)
2. For our Holy Father, John Paul II: That God may raise him up from illness and grant him good health and total healing. We pray: (R.)
3. For those who dispel the culture of death and spread the decadence of moral corruption: That they may respond to the life-giving power of Christ who calls them out from the tomb of death and destruction. We pray: (R.)
4. FOR GOVERNMENTS, the Holy Father’s General Intention for this month of March: That they take into account the poor and the excluded when adopting development plans. We pray: (R.)
5. FOR THE LOCAL CHURCHES, the Holy Father’s Mission Intention for this month of March: That they realize the need to form Christians to face the challenges of new evangelization. We pray: (R.)
6. For the “elect” catechumens preparing for baptism: That they be liberated from any evil spirit that brings death. May they experience new life in Christ, their glory and resurrection. We pray: (R.)
7. For our beloved dead: That having been united supremely in Christ’s paschal mystery, they may rise with him in eternal peace and glory. We pray” (R.)
(Other prayers may be added.)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Leader: Lord Jesus,
you raised Lazarus from death
as a sign that you had come to give us life in fullest measure.
Rescue from death all who seek life from your sacraments
and free us from the spirit of evil.
By your Holy Spirit fill us with life.
Give us faith, hope and love
that we may live with you always
and come to share the glory of your resurrection,
for you are Lord forever and ever.
Assembly: Amen.
FINAL SONG: Any suitable Eucharistic hymn or Lenten 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