Opening Prayer
My God, come to my aid.
Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father...
As it was in the beginning...
Reading
Jesus, accepting to be fully human, lets us know what our task is in the world. His positive attitude of accepting life, suffering, and death, was what gave Him authority and made others notice Him and listen to Him. His "yes" to life with all its consequences, even to death on a cross, was the only way for evil to be overcome by the power of love.
How was He able to carry out this mission? Because he was completely and consciously centered on God, his Father, whom he loved passionately; conscious of love in a healing work rooted in love. Love that was fully manifested in his death, when love allowed him to abandon himself fully in a supreme movement of trust that revealed the true center of his being: his pierced Heart, as an open and empty space for God and people.
Reflection and Prayer
Poem
Heart pierced by a lance,
May the angels praise you
And may we give you glory.
Meek and humble Heart, open and given,
What refuge the lance that pierced your side offered us!
The fire that burns in your Heart,
Ignited in the hearts of those who love you.
Pour out your grace upon us:
Give comfort to the sick and weak,
Your forgiveness to sinners,
Your hope to the sad and the downcast.
And when our life is ended,
Lead us to your heavenly home.
Silence to adore.
Psalm 16.
Psalm of confidence, in which a believer celebrates his/her experience of happiness for not having fallen into idolatry and what it has meant in life to have Yahweh as the only Lord. The New Testament writers saw in the closing words of this psalm a foreshadowing of the Resurrection.
Protect me, my God; I knock confidently at your door, asking you for help and refuge, for you are my only good. I will not exchange you for anything, nor will I trust in the powers of this world. You only are my portion and my inheritance; my life is in your hands. I am delighted with my lot, you are my only good.
I will bless the Lord who counsels me; at all times I feel that you are near, giving me joy and rest.
And so my heart leaps for joy, my soul rejoices and my body rests serene.
I know that you will not give me over to death, nor let me see corruption. You will show me the path of life; the fullness of joy in your presence and everlasting gladness at your right hand forever..
Silence for meditation.
Reread the Psalm, keeping in mind your faith journey. In what situations of your life - difficulties, pains, trials - have you been able to share any of these experiences with the Lord
Reading from the Word: John 8:28-29.
"When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will understand that I am He, and that I do nothing of my own accord, but say only what the Father taught me. Moreover, he who sent me is with me, he has not left me alone, because I always do what pleases him."
Silence for adoration
Reflection
- Is it God's will that motivates and directs your life?
- Analyze your desires, worries, what you seek, what you dedicate your time to. - Do you feel approved by God?
Petitions
- That at all times we accept ourselves as persons, assuming in faith all that life presents to us...
- That, as beloved children of the Father, we work to alleviate the sufferings and needs of others...
- That, trusting in the love of God, we are always available for whatever He wants of us....
- For all men and women who have been deprived of their dignity and their rights....
- Add your own intentions…..
Our Father.
Closing Prayer.
Father, You who lovingly created us and preserved our life, grant that, aided by your Spirit, we may strive to please you by serving our brothers and sisters in need.
We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns forever. Amen.
Translated and adapted from Night Adoration in the Home, SS.CC. Madrid, Spain