EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (Vol. 2, n. 20)

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, Year B

April 9-15, 2006

“The Passion of Christ and 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 GUERRIC OF IGNY, ABBOT

When Jesus entered Jerusalem like a triumphant conqueror, many were astonished at the majesty of his bearing; but when a short while afterward he entered upon his passion, his appearance was ignoble, an object of derision. If today’s procession and passion are considered together, in the one Jesus appears as sublime and glorious, in the other as lowly and suffering … In the procession the people meet Jesus with palm branches, in the passion they slap his face and strike his head with a rod. In the one they extol him with praises, in the other they heap insults upon him … In the one he is mounted on an ass and accorded every mark of honor; in the other he hangs on the wood of the cross, torn by whips, pierced with wounds, and abandoned by his own.

If, then, we want to follow our leader without stumbling through prosperity and through adversity, let us keep our eyes upon him, honored in the procession, undergoing ignominy and suffering in the passion, yet unshakably steadfast in all such changes of fortune.

SILENT ADORATION

OPENING PRAYER: By Guerric of Igny, Abbot

Leader: Lord Jesus,

you are the joy and salvation of the whole world.

Whether we see you seated on an ass or hanging on the cross,

let each one of us bless and praise you,

so that when we see you reigning on high

we may praise you forever and ever,

for to you belong praise and honor throughout all ages.

Assembly: Amen.

Part I

JESUS MASTER TRUTH

Listening to the Word

FIRST READING: Is 50:4-7

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

GOSPEL READING: Mk 14:1-15:47

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. 20]: 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 sentiments are evoked in us by the figure of the Suffering Servant who declared: “My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting … knowing that I shall not be put to shame”? What lessons can we draw from his non-violence and utmost trust in God? Do we look to Jesus Christ as the true Suffering Servant and imitate his covenantal fidelity to the Father’s saving will?

B.     Have we experienced being the “Suffering Servant”? What were the painful and life-giving aspects of our kenotic experiences? Did we call upon our God to help us? Did we really trust in his saving help? Have we tried to live the non-violence of the Suffering Servant?

C.     Are we ready to participate fully in the paschal mystery of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection? Are we willing to undergo his glorious passion for the sake of the New and Eternal Covenant? What do we offer, personally and as a community, to delve more deeply into the meaning of today’s liturgical feast: Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion?

PRAY