EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (Vol. 2, n. 19)
5th Sunday of Lent, Year B
April 2-8, 2006
“The New Covenant”
(+) 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 appropriate song may be sung.
WORDS OF POPE BENEDICT XVI
The image of the Passover, which is fulfilled in the New Testament of the death and resurrection; the image of the Exodus, the leaving of one’s possessions and the life to which one had become accustomed – an exodus which begins with Abraham and is the fundamental law of the whole sacred history: all try to express this basic movement of auto-liberation from a purely selfish existence. Christ explained this in a more profound way in the law of the grain of wheat … Christ, by his death and resurrection, fulfilled his law of the wheat grain. In the Eucharist, the bread of God, he has truly become the hundredfold fruit on which we live. But in this mystery of the Eucharist, in which it is truly and fully he who lives for us, he asks us day after day to fulfill this law which is the definitive expression of the essence of true love. And so, the essential meaning of love can only be that we abandon our narrow and selfish aims and, coming out of ourselves, begin to live for others.
SILENT ADORATION
OPENING PRAYER
Leader: God of eternal faithfulness,
your promise of the New Covenant is fulfilled
in the paschal sacrifice of your Son Jesus Christ.
He is the little grain of wheat that falls on the ground and dies
in order to bear abundantly the fruit of saving grace.
In him you have breathed upon us the Spirit of love
and inscribed the law of the wheat grain in our heart.
Grant us the grace to be faithful to our covenantal relationship with you
and to learn, through the example of your Son, to live for others.
May we follow him obediently and devotedly
for he is the head of the people of the New and Eternal Covenant.
He lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit forever and ever.
Assembly: Amen.
Part I
JESUS MASTER TRUTH
Listening to the Word
FIRST READING: Jer 31:31-34
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
GOSPEL READING: Jn 12:20-33
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 4, n. 19]: 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 suitable song of praise may be sung.
Part II
JESUS MASTER WAY
Confrontation with the Word
POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART
Leader: We open our hearts to listen to the promptings of the living Word. Let us ask ourselves with limpid honesty:
A. What are our personal experiences of broken relationships? What are the circumstances in our life that provoke shattered and betrayed relationships? Do we feel responsible and accountable when we allow covenantal relationships to warp and deteriorate due to neglect, indifference, abuse and malice on our part?
B. How do we feel about our broken covenantal relationship with our loving and merciful God? Do we deeply regret our guilt and detest our sinful actions that lead to the breaking of our covenant with him? How do we respond to the Father’s gracious initiative to heal, restore, renew and deepen our relationship with him? How do the tumultuous history of Israel and the prophetic words of Jeremiah about the “new covenant” impact us?
C. Do we treasure the refreshing quality of “newness” that Jesus Christ brings into our life? Are we grateful for the life-giving sacrifice he made as a little grain of wheat that falls on the ground and dies in order to bear abundant fruit? How does his covenantal fidelity to his heavenly Father inspire and strengthen us? Do we respond fully to the paschal sacrifice he offered on the cross in order to bring about the “New Covenant” in his blood? Are we willing to submit ourselves totally to Jesus, the head of the New and Eternal Covenant?
PRAYING WITH THE WORD
(Biblical verses adapted by Lucien Deiss)
Antiphon: Grant to us, O Lord, a heart renewed. Recreate in us your own Spirit, Lord!
1. Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord our God,
when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel.
2. Deep within their being I will implant my law;
I will write it in their hearts.
3. I will be their God and they shall be my people.
4. And for all their faults I will grant forgiveness.
Nevermore will I remember their sins.
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 Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary may be prayed in part or in full.
THE WAY OF SOLIDARITY: PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
Leader: Lifted up on the cross, Jesus Christ, the font of the New and Everlasting Covenant, revealed the wonderful mystery of divine mercy and love. Let us turn to him in prayer and cry out with faith.
(R.) LORD OF THE NEW COVENANT, HEAR OUR PRAYER.
1. For the Holy Father’s General Intention in this month of April: FOR WOMEN IN THE WORLD: In every country may they be respected and guaranteed equal social and political rights. Let us pray: (R.)
2. For the Holy Father’s Mission Intention in this month of April: FOR THE CHURCH OF CHINA: May it be allowed to carry out its mission of evangelization in full freedom. Let us pray: (R.)
3. For the QueensCare healthcare program for the poor and for all Christian endeavors to help the needy. Let us pray: (R.)
4. For a more humane and charitable response to the plight of the immigrants. Let us pray: (R.)
5. For a world economy based on just relationships; for those who promote “fair trade” to help farmers earn just wages and for sustainable, environment friendly agricultural practices. Let us pray: (R.)
6. For catechumens and those journeying toward full communion with the Catholic Church; for those who sponsor and animate them and for the community who will receive them. Let us pray: (R.)
7. For a faithful and loving response to the New Covenant inaugurated by Jesus Christ with his saving blood. Let us pray: (R.)
8. For an efficacious ministry of charity to the poor based on the life-giving principle of the little grain of wheat that falls on the ground and dies in order to bear abundant fruit. Let us pray: (R.)
(Other prayers may be added.)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Leader: Father,
help us to be like Christ your Son,
who loved the world and died for our salvation.
Inspire us by his love,
guide us by his example,
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 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