EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (# 21)

A Weekly Pastoral Tool for the YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST

4th Sunday of Easter, Year A

April 17-23, 2005

 

“I Am the Gate for the Sheep”

 

 

 

(+) 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 Easter song may be sung.

 

 

WORDS OF CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA

 

In our sickness we need a savior, in our wanderings a guide, in our blindness someone to show us the light, in our thirst the fountain of living water which quenches for ever the thirst of those who drink from it. We dead people need life, we sheep need a shepherd, we children need a teacher, the whole world needs Jesus! …

 

How bountiful the giver who for our sake gives his most precious possession, his own life! He is a real benefactor and friend, who desired to be our brother when he might have been our Lord, and who in his goodness even went so far as to die for us!

 

 

SILENT ADORATION AND PRAYER

 

 

OPENING PRAYER

(Adapted from St. Clement of Alexandria)

 

Leader: Pasture us, children like sheep, Lord.

Fill us with your own food, the food of righteousness.

As our guide we pray you to lead us

to your holy mountain, the Church on high,

touching the heavens.

You live forever and ever.

 

Assembly: Amen.

 

Part I

JESUS MASTER TRUTH

Listening to the Word

 

 

GOSPEL READING: Jn 10:1-10

 

 

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 [# 21]: 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 Easter song may be sung.

 

 

 

 

Part II

JESUS MASTER WAY

Confrontation with the Word

 

 

POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART

 

Leader: If today we hear his voice, let us not harden our hearts, but rather open them up in receptivity to the compassionate call of the Good Shepherd. Let us examine our hearts and give our faith response to his call.

 

 

1.      Do we truly thank the Lord for the gift of Jesus, the Good Shepherd and the sheep gate that leads to eternal life? Do we also thank the Lord for Pope John Paul II and all the Church shepherds he has given us that we may experience abundant life?

 

 

2.      Do we listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd? How?

 

 

3.      Today’s Good Shepherd Sunday is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. How do we participate in promoting vocational awareness in the Church and in generating more authentic Church shepherd who will lead, nourish and animate the Christian flock?

 

PENITENTIAL PRAYER

 

Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Lamb of God;

you take away the sins of the world.

Through the grace of the Holy Spirit,

restore us to friendship with your Father,

cleanse us from every stain of sin, in the blood you shed for us,

and raise us to new life for the glory of your name.

You live and reign forever and ever.

 

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 the Rosary may be prayed in part or in full.

 

 

THE WAY OF SOLIDARITY: PRAYER OF INTERCESSION

 

Leader: Let us give glory to Christ and let us address to him our fervent prayer, as we say:

 

(R.) JESUS, TRUE SHEPHERD AND GATE FOR THE SHEEP,

       LISTEN TO OUR PRAYER.

 

1.      We pray for the pastors of the Church.  (R.)

2.      We pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the forthcoming papal conclave.  (R.)

3.      We pray for an increase of priestly and religious vocations.  (R.)

4.      We pray for those who govern and for leaders of nations:  (R.)

5.      We pray for the sick and suffering.  (R.)

6.      We pray for the victims of violence, hatred and war.  (R.)

7.      We pray for the fruitfulness of the earth and the integration of creation.  (R.)

8.      We pray for the dying and for our deceased brothers and sisters.  (R.)

 

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR POPE JOHN PAUL II, A TRUE SHEPHERD LIKE CHRIST

(Cf. Fr. Raymond Bodson, CICM, Education for Justice Web Site)

 

Leader: Pope John Paul II was passionately committed to the Catholic Social Teaching and social justice and peace. Through his words and actions, he promoted global solidarity among all peoples and nations, constantly called attention to the human dignity and the human rights of every individual, and challenged unjust structures and systems that undermined the common good. He left us a great legacy, a vision of a world where love and compassion are greater than greed and violence. We honor him best by responding to his challenge to “love our neighbors in the global village” by recommitting ourselves, our energy, intelligence and creativity to the work for social justice and peace.

 

 

Assembly: God of Good Friday and Easter Sunday,

we mourn the death of Pope John Paul II

and we celebrate his life and light.

 

God of mercy,

we thank you for John Paul II’s focus

on the human dignity and the human rights

of every individual around the globe.

 

God of compassion,

we thank you for John Paul II’s deep concern for those in poverty

and his challenges to unjust social structures and systems

that affect the poor.

 

God of courage,

we thank you for John Paul II’s call for an authentic global solidarity

and his rejection of violence and war in the global community.

 

God of grace,

we thank you for John Paul II’s vision of the common good,

where people are more important than profits

and where all can participate in building the city of God.

 

In the days, weeks, and months ahead, God of the new beginnings,

help us to reflect deeply

on John Paul II’s calls for justice and peace in the 21st century.

 

Help us truly honor him

by responding to his call to “love each neighbor in the global community.

 

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER

 

CONCLUDING PRAYER

 

Leader: Almighty and ever-living God,

give us new strength from the courage of Christ,

our Shepherd and glorified Risen Lord,

and make us share at the table of plenty in heaven

where the cup of joy is overflowing.

Lead us to join the saints in heaven,

where the Good Shepherd and victorious Lamb

lives and reigns forever and ever.

 

Assembly: Amen.

 

 

FINAL SONG: Any suitable Eucharistic hymn or Easter song may be sung.

 

 

 

Prepared by Sr. Mary Margaret Tapang  PDDM

 

 

PIAE DISCIPULAE DIVINI MAGISTRI

SISTER DISCIPLES OF THE DIVINE MASTER

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