EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR (Vol. 2, n. 46)
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
October 8, 2006
“Two in One Flesh”
(+) 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.
INTRODUCTION
(Cf. Eugene Maly, The Word Alive, New York: Alba House,1982, p. 186)
The principle enunciated by Jesus remains the norm. The covenant sealed by the two parties is not to be broken. In the light of Jesus’ general stance on Kingdom morality, it would seem far better to foster means of preserving marriage union than to seek reasons for exceptions to the norm. The Christian must bear a special kind of witness to a world where marriage is a convenience, not a sacrament … To accept Jesus’ teaching on marriage requires the openness of children and a sense of dependence on God’s strength matching the child’s sense of dependence on parents. No one can doubt that such trust in God’s help is necessary. With it the impossible can become possible.
SILENT ADORATION
OPENING PRAYER
Leader: Father,
you have made the bond of marriage a holy mystery,
a symbol of Christ’s love for his Church.
Hear our prayers for all married couples.
With faith in you and in each other,
they pledge their love for one another.
May their lives always bear witness to the reality of that love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Assembly: Amen.
Part I
JESUS MASTER TRUTH
Listening to the Word
FIRST READING: Gen 2:18-24
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
GOSPEL READING: Mk 10:2-16
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 [Series 4, n. 46]: 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
A. How does the Yahwist account of the creation of man and woman in the Book of Genesis help us appreciate the dignity and equality of the man-woman relationship and the nobility of human sexuality? What are some of our concrete experiences of the beauty and holiness of Christian marriage?
B. What are some of the weaknesses and painful situations that afflict marriages? Can these marriages be saved and the brokenness in the husband-wife relationship be healed?
C. How do we welcome the sanctifying role of Jesus Christ in human marriage? Do we trust that in Jesus is the ultimate union of “two in one flesh”? Are we ready to accept the Divine Master’s teaching on marriage with the openness to children? Do we rely on God’s strength to make the nuptial relationship whole and fruitful?
PRAYING WITH THE WORD
(By D. Rimaud, cf. Days of the Lord, vol. 5, p. 255)
Truly it is good that the trust and joy of a wedding
flow back from us toward you,
Father of all covenants.
For the life you give to everyone
and the body whose keepers we are,
for every communion possible in this world and every hope of happiness …
we want to give you thanks and acknowledge that we come from you
through Jesus, the Christ, our Lord.
It is in him, the eternal Son of your tenderness
that you have concluded with humanity the Covenant of your first love.
It is through him, Son of Man born in the flesh, that you save human loves
by making them flow back into their source.
It is in him, faithful spouse of your Church,
that you change our hearts of stone
and enable them to love as you love.
Part III
JESUS LIFE
Acting upon the Word
PERSONAL PRAYER
CONTEMPLATING WITH MARY THE FACE OF CHRIST: The Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary may be prayed in part or in full.
THE WAY OF SOLIDARITY: PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
Priest: Embracing the teaching of Jesus Christ, the foundation of Christian marriage and the union of the “two in one flesh”, we turn to him in prayer and say:
(R.) LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER!
1. We humbly present to you the Holy Father’s General Intention for the month of October: FOR ALL THE BAPTIZED. May they grow in faith and be bold and courageous witnesses of Christ. We pray: (R.)
2. We humbly present to you the Holy Father’s Mission Intention for the month of October: FOR THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD: May the celebration of World Mission Day intensify missionary spirit and missionary cooperation. We pray: (R.)
3. For married couples that they may continue to experience God’s abundant blessings every day of their lives and that the good Lord be their strength and protection. We pray: (R.)
4. For a broken world that longs for God’s healing love and for married couples whose relationship needs healing and deeper intimacy: may their spiritual yearnings be satisfied. We pray: (R.)
5. For our Holy Father Benedict XVI that he may be strengthened in the conflicts that surround him and that he may continue his loving service to the Church, the Bride of Christ. We pray: (R.)
6. For all the faithful departed that they may participate eternally in the nuptial banquet of the Paschal Lamb, Jesus Christ. We pray: (R.)
7. For all of us gathered here that our lives may be transformed as we journey to the wedding feast of the Lamb in Paradise. We pray: (R.)
(Other prayers may be added.)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Leader: Lord,
accept our prayers for all married couples.
By your love and providence you have brought them together.
Bless them all the days of their married life
and grant them a long and happy life together.
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