Adapted from "Reinado Social" Spain.
Note for preparation: Put a little table in your room or place of prayer. On it place a crucifix or an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a lit candle and maybe flowers. During the times of silent prayer, you may play background music.
The following rhythm of adoration may be helpful for the individual in private adoration or the leader in group adoration. It is intended for an hour adoration so may be adapted for shorter periods of adoration. The leader’s guidance or comments should be brief. Times of praise, worship, thanksgiving, repentance may be substituted as appropriate
A sad and withdrawn Christian is not good news for others. Neither is the Christian who, amid difficulties and suffering, does not show in his/her face something of that goodness and peace that God places in the heart of those who feel loved by him. Nor is the Christian good news who does not go to comfort those who suffer, nor stops, like the Samaritan, before the stranger who has been violated and deprived of his/her dignity and possessions.
Initial Invocation:
O God, come to my assistance.
-- Lord; make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
-- as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia.
Hymn: (Your choice)
For Meditation
Gospel is to say friend, is to say brother.
Gospel is to give you my time, it is to give you my hand.
Gospel is to look you in the eye, it is to laugh with you,
it is to share your sorrow, it is to bring you to Christ.
Gospel is to carry peace with you always.
Gospel is to love without counting the cost.
Gospel is to say "I love you" to your enemy,
to abandon your life into the hands of Christ.
Silence for adoration
Psalm of Mercy
Remember that you are a creature in the presence of your Creator. Praise God who has given you life; thank him for the love and power of the Savior who freed you from all evil through the power of the Spirit, give glory to the Lord who is all lovable.
Mercy is the balm that a person, every person, needs to be rebuilt, to be encouraged, to gain confidence, to feel him/herself, to love him/herself and to be incorporated into the life of others. The merciful, balance the world with their compassionate and selfless love. This is the best way to evangelize and to establish the reign of Christ in the world.
Mercy is just the word
that expresses what a person needs:
mercy, just a little mercy.
People have built a world
to suit themselves, a world that is fascinating,
but painful, merciless.
We need your mercy, Lord,
Your mercy that greases our machines,
that disables our weapons,
that lights our lamps.
Your mercy that enlightens our gaze,
That opens our palms,
That turns us around.
Your mercy is a flood of grace.
We need, Lord, your mercy
to be merciful.
Your mercy so that we do not look at each other
with hatred, nor live distantly,
nor rival each other with envy.
Just a little mercy,
to show preference to the little ones,
to play with children and the elderly.
Mercy to wipe away all tears,
to heal all wounds,
to break all chains,
to be with those who are lost.
On the day of your mercy,
when you fill the whole earth,
we will say to you in joy: "Father,
now your Kingdom has come".
Silence for Meditation.
Reading:
Acts: 4:32-35
“The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.”
Silence for Reflection.
Try to make your own what you have read in the psalm and the Word. Open the book of your life and discover the feelings which stir in your heart. Try to be true to yourself open to the light and message Christ is trying to give you. Listen with your heart.
We preach a good, understanding, generous and compassionate God. But do we live it, do we manifest it? If we want to be consistent with what we say, everyone must see that goodness. And if the world can see the goodness in your face, in your smile, in your gaze, it will be a little closer to God.
Petitions
For the poor, the sick, the lonely, the marginalized...
For those who are the victims of human violence....
For Charity groups and volunteers....
(add your own petitions…)
Our Father
Prayer.
God of mercy and tenderness, make us sensitive to the suffering of others, so that by our service your name may be known.
Amen.
Closing blessing:
May the Lord bless us, keep us from all evil and lead us to eternal life.
Amen.
Closing Hymn (Your choice)