*** *** *** *** *** ***

 

 

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

September 6, 2026

“JESUS SAVIOR: He Teaches Us the Duty of Fraternal Correction”

 

 

(+) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(A moment of silence)

 

SONG: A suitable Eucharistic hymn or any other appropriate song may be sung.

 

WORDS OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM 

You will be doing everything for the glory of God if, when you leave this place, you make yourselves responsible for saving a brother or sister, not just by accusing and rebuking him or her, but also by advising and encouraging … You will also be preparing yourself a double reward, since as well as greatly furthering your own salvation, you will be endeavoring to heal a fellow member of Christ’s body. It is the Church’s pride, it is the Savior’s command, not to be concerned only about our own welfare, but about our neighbor’s also. Think to what high honor you raise yourself when you regard someone else’s salvation as a matter of extreme importance … Christ shed his own blood for our salvation … So if your Lord shed his blood for that person, surely it is right for each of us to offer at least some words of encouragement and to extend a helping hand to those who through laxity have fallen into the snares of the devil. But I am quite certain that you will do this out of the tender love you bear your own members, and that you will make every effort to bring your neighbors back to our common Mother, because I know that through the grace of God you are able to admonish others with wisdom.

 

SILENT ADORATION

OPENING PRAYER

(Cf. Rite of Penance)

Leader: Lord our God, you created us in love, and redeemed us in mercy. While we were exiled from heaven by the jealousy of the evil one, you gave us your only Son, who shed his blood to save us. Send now your Holy Spirit to breathe new life into your children, for you do not want us to die but to live for you alone. Protect us now and always from the wounds of sin. May we ever keep in its fullness the gift your love once gave us and your mercy now restores. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Assembly: Amen.

 

Part I

JESUS MASTER TRUTH

Listening to the Word

 

GOSPEL READING: Mt 18:15-20

 

POINTS FOR REFLECTION

The Gospel reading (Mt 18:15-20) belongs to “The Sermon on the Church” (Mt 18:1-35), a distinct literary unit wherein the evangelist Matthew gathers Jesus’ teachings directly concerned with the life of the disciples in Christian communities. The authors of the Days of the Lord, vol. 4, delineate the context of this Sunday’s reading, which underlines the duty of Christian correction: “The community for which Matthew collected and presented the Lord’s teachings was already a motley group. There were brothers and sisters who did not behave in an evangelical manner toward the little ones. There were leaders concerned more with honors than service. There were even disciples who lived in sin, publicly and scandalously. What to do about them? What should be the means by which they could be helped to become aware of their disorderly ways and be converted? Certainly there was no question to prematurely separate the weeds from the good grain (Mt 13:24-30). But in some cases, it became necessary to expel from the community brothers and sisters whose conduct could not be tolerated. These questions are still with us. The Gospel of Matthew shows us how to address them. The concrete modalities of the procedure outlined in Matthew cannot be followed to the letter, but we must remember their spirit and perspective. The sins of brothers and sisters cannot leave their kin and other members of the community indifferent. Charity and the spiritual welfare of others demand that we exert ourselves to bring back onto the right path whoever has wandered off. The parable of the lost sheep (Mt 18:10-14) immediately precedes Jesus’ words on charitable correction. The art of reprimand is certainly among the most difficult and delicate; yet this is no reason for us to evade our duty.”

 

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:

1. What is my attitude to the erring members of the Christian community? Do we dedicate ourselves to the ministry of Christian correction?

2. Do we believe that only God’s grace can change hearts and effect conversion? Do we allow ourselves to be instruments of grace for others?

3. Is the concern for others’ salvation at the heart of every member and every cell of our Christian community? Are we a reconciled and a reconciling community? Are we a community of forgiveness based on love?

  

PRAYER

(By George Appleton)

Leader: Grant me, O Lord, an understanding heart, that I may see into the hearts of your people, and know their strength and weaknesses, their hopes and their despairs, their efforts and failures, their need of love and their need to love. Through my touch with them grant comfort and hope, and the assurance that new life begins at any age and on any day, redeeming the past, sanctifying the present, and brightening the future with the assurance of your unfailing love, brought to me in Jesus Christ, your Son my Lord.

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 Light of the Rosary may be prayed in part or in full.

 

 

THE WAY OF SOLIDARITY: PRAYER OF INTERCESSION

Leader: Let us pray to God who cares for all, and with earnest humility say:

(R.) LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER.

1. For the Holy Father’s General Intention for this month of September: For the care of water. Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital source, so that everyone may have equal access to it. We pray: (R.)

2. That we may perceive the true meaning of Christian forgiveness; we pray: (R.)

3. That we may consciously seek the lost like Jesus the Good Shepherd; we pray: (R.)

4. That we may devotedly offer our prayers for the conversion of sinners; we pray: (R.)

5. That the perpetrators of crime and violence be moved to conversion and experience spiritual healing; we pray: (R.)

6. That we may be a reconciling and reconciled community marked by the gentle touch of forgiveness; we pray: (R.)

7. That we may be caring and kind to the poor and prisoners, to the sick and the lonely, to the victims of violence and crime; we pray: (R.)

(Other prayers may be added.)

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER

CONCLUDING PRAYER 

Leader: Loving Father,

give us the grace to be compassionate with sinners

from the depths of our heart.

May we not be arrogant with them,

but weep together with them.

Grant that,

weeping over our erring neighbors,

we may also weep over ourselves.

We ask this through Christ our Lord,

who is our healing and forgiveness,

now and forever.

Assembly: Amen.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

*** *** *** *** *** ***

 

 

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

September 13, 2026

“JESUS SAVIOR: He Teaches Us the Duty of Christian Forgiveness”

 

 

(+) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(A moment of silence)

 

SONG: A suitable Eucharistic hymn or any other appropriate song may be sung.

  

WORDS OF MARTIN LUTHER KING

During his ministry in the sunny villages of Galilee, Jesus talked passionately about forgiveness. This strange doctrine awakened the questioning mind of Peter. How oft, he asked, shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Peter wanted to be legal and statistical. But Jesus responded by affirming that there is no limit to forgiveness. I say not unto thee, until seven times: but, until seventy times seven. In other words, forgiveness is not a matter of quantity, but of quality. A man cannot forgive up to four hundred and ninety times without forgiveness becoming a part of the habitual structure of his being. Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude … Forgiveness does not mean ignoring what has been done or putting a false label on an evil act. It means, rather, that the evil act no longer remains a barrier to the relationship. Forgiveness is a catalyst creating the atmosphere necessary for a fresh start and a new beginning. It is a lifting of a burden or the canceling of debt … Forgiveness means reconciliation, a coming together again.

 

SILENT ADORATION

OPENING PRAYER

 Leader: Lord Jesus, you opened the eyes of the blind, healed the sick, forgave the sinful woman, and after Peter’s denial confirmed him in your love. Listen to my prayer: forgive all my sins, renew your love in my heart, help me to live in perfect unity with my fellow Christians that I may proclaim your saving power to all the world. You live and reign forever and ever.

Assembly: Amen.

 

Part I

JESUS MASTER TRUTH

Listening to the Word

 

GOSPEL READING: Mt 18:21-35

POINTS FOR REFLECTION

The parable of the unforgiving steward continues to challenge us today. Each one of us has received and continues to receive the mercy of God, who has remitted the un-payable debt of sin. Our conduct toward our brothers and sisters who have offended should follow the loving stance of our forgiving God. To act otherwise is to incur divine condemnation. We must pardon from the heart in imitation of God, who is not content to receive lip service from a people whose heart is far from him.

 

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:

1. Do we ever forgive? Do we set limits and conditions on Christian forgiveness?

2. Do we imitate God in his willingness to forgive? Do we respond positively and fully to God’s healing and forgiving love?

3. In our daily life, do we act like the merciless and unforgiving steward? If so, what do we do about it?

 

PRAYER

Leader: Almighty and most compassionate God,

when your chosen people were thirsty

you drew a stream of water from a rock.

From our stony hearts draw tears of sorrow,

giving us the grace to weep for our sins

and win your merciful forgiveness.

Grant that, in receiving your gentle forgiveness,

we may be able to share this merciful gift

with those who hurt and sin against us.

May we spread your healing power of reconciliation to all.

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

CONTEMPLATING WITH MARY THE FACE OF CHRIST: The Mysteries of Light of the Rosary may be prayed in part or in full.

 

THE WAY OF SOLIDARITY: PRAYER OF INTERCESSION

 Leader: Let us pray to God who cares for all, and with earnest humility say: 

(R.) LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER.

1. For the Holy Father’s General Intention for this month of September: For the care of water. Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital source, so that everyone may have equal access to it. We pray: (R.)

2. Forgive us, Lord, when we do not live in accordance with our baptismal consecration and when we stifle the voice of conscience calling us to conversion; we pray: (R.)

3. Forgive us, when complacent and indifferent, we are not able to live the spirit of the Gospel and the duty of Christian correction and forgiveness; we pray: (R.)

4. Forgive us when we are blinded and unable to see your image in our brothers and sisters; we pray: (R.)

5. Forgive us for all the acts of violence and terrorism in this world and when we contribute to the world’s misery through passive acceptance; we pray: (R.)

6. Forgive us when we do not allow your healing love to touch us and thus refuse to forgive those who have sinned against us; we pray: (R.)

(Other prayers may be added.)

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER

CONCLUDING PRAYER

(By Michel Quoist) 

Leader: Lord, to love is to meet oneself,

and to meet oneself one must be willing to leave oneself

and go towards another.

To love is to commune,

and to commune one must forget oneself for another.

One must die to self completely for another.

Loving hurts,

for since the fall

to love is to crucify self for another.

Teach me how to love.

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

3700 North Cornelia Avenue, Fresno, CA 93722 (USA)

Tel (559) 275-1656