Hour of Eucharistic Adoration

Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life

For this Hour of Eucharistic Adoration, place an open Bible in a position of prominence near the tabernacle or monstrance. Jesus, our Eucharistic Master, teaches and sanctifies us through his Word and Sacrament, just as in his public ministry, his deeds and words shed light on each other, making the Good News clear.

The "Questions for Personal Reflection" may be copied for each participant, to allow for private reflection, or they can be spoken by the leader or reader as part of the response to the Word of God. If they are used in a communal way, it is important that the speaker use a gentle voice and pause generously between each verse of the Gospel and each question.

The Priestly Prayer of Jesus, as adapted here, will be needed by each participant.

This outline for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament is provided by the Daughters of St. Paul, and international congregation of consecrated women who serve the Church with the communications media. We ask that you remember our congregation, mission, and special intention of vocations in your prayer.

Begin by proclaiming the Gospel of the day's Liturgy.

Song Suggestion: I am the Bread of Life (Toolan)

Leader: Jesus proclaimed himself to be our Master, the only Teacher. We are his disciples. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Thus, in his Word, which we accept and welcome each day, there is life-giving truth, the way that leads to fullness of life-communion with God-and the very strength of life to fill us and sustain us in our pilgrimage. Let us be receptive to the transforming power of his Word.

Lord Jesus, you are the way that leads to the Father, have mercy on us.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, you are the truth of the Father's love, enlightening all peoples, have mercy on us.
All: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are the life that renews the world, have mercy on us.
All: Lord, have mercy.

Leader: Let us welcome the Word of Jesus, and then in silence, allow its message to penetrate our being.

Reader: Proclaim John 17:1-26

Leader: We are called to proclaim the Word and to let our lives be shaped by it. This reading offers us an invitation to come to live as the Father calls us to live: as Jesus did. Thought we are not perfect, as he was, we can be open to the Spirit's work of transformation until it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. Let us take some time to allow that Word to meet us in the truth of our daily life, and even to challenge us.

Questions for Personal Reflection

May the love with which you have loved me be in them, and I in them.
Do I really believe that God loves me?
Do I take time each day to let his love penetrate me, taking quiet time to pray?

I glorified you on earth, and finished the work you gave me to do.
What is the word the Lord has given me to do? Maybe it is caring for my family, or offering witness to those I work with by being faithful to my convictions, or perhaps offering some part of my life to helping those less fortunate than I…
Do I believe that it is God who gives me strength to do good?
Do I sometimes pride myself in the good that happens through me? Do I ever offer silent praise to God for making me his instrument?

I have manifested your name to those you gave me out of the world.

Are there ways I can recognize the Lord manifesting his name to me?
Are there ways I feel inspired to manifest his name to others? Do I do it, or it is just something that's nice to think about?

I am praying for those you gave me, for they are yours.
Do I really believe Jesus offered himself for me? If my faith is weak, do I know why that is so?
Whom do I pray for? Those less fortunate? My "enemies"? Those who are suffering?

I am not of the world…
Am I attached to anything so much that I worry about it? Or that it is difficult to share with others?
Am I preoccupied with having more?
Do I ever "have to have" something because I saw it advertised, or in order to "keep up" with others?
What do I do on behalf of those who are not able to have many of the things I take for granted-even basic necessities like food, clothing, home-or vital relationships, like family?
Do I act on what I believe, or do I make choices based on human respect or the need for approval?
Do I ask Jesus to help me make choices?

Prayer of Repentance

Lord Jesus, you are the way that leads to the Father, have mercy on us.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, you are the truth who leads us to all that is good, have mercy on us.
All: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are the one who restores life to us, have mercy on us.
All: Lord, have mercy.

Song: Dwelling Place (John Foley)

Leader: Having meditated on Jesus' Priestly Prayer, and allowing our lives to be confronted by it, let us make this Word our own and pray it, keeping in mind our own needs and the needs of all God's people.

Reader: Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that your Son may glorify you. For you have given him power over all flesh so that he may give eternal life to all you have given to him.

All: This is eternal life: that we may all know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

Leader: Let us remember those who have gone before us in faith: parents, family, friends, people who died violently, people who died in natural disasters, people who died alone or without the comfort of the sacraments.

Reader: I glorified you on earth, accomplishing the work you gave me. I have manifested your name to those you gave me out of the world.

All: We are yours, Father,
and you have given us to your Son Jesus
so that we may observe your Word.
Now we know, Father,
that everything that you have given to your Son comes from you.
We have accepted everything, but we know our faith is weak;
help us believe even more fully that you sent your Son Jesus into this world
to save us.

Leader: Let us pray that others may become aware of Jesus' presence in their lives. Let us remember especially those who are lonely, bitter or angry; those without family, food or shelter. And let us pray that we may be open to recognize Jesus and his plans for us in all the people and events of our lives.

Reader: I am praying for these you gave me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine.

All: Your Son Jesus is no longer in the world,
but we are still in the world.
Righteous Father,
guard us in your name, so that we may all be one,
as you are one with your Son Jesus.

Leader: Let us pray for all those in our lives, especially those who are difficult for us to accept. Let us in silence recall them by name: our family, co-workers, fellow-parishioners, priests and sisters, entrusting them all to the unifying Love of the Father and the Son.

Reader: I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth.

All: Sanctify us, O Father, in the truth.
Your Word is truth.
Just as Jesus has consecrated himself for our sake,
so continue to consecrate us in the truth.

Leader: Let us pray that we may continue to find ways to bring the truth of God's Love into the lives of others, in the way we live and through creative use of the media. Let us pray for all those whose daily work puts them in the forefront in the communications media.

Reader: I do not pray only for these, but for all who believe in me through their word. May all be one, even as you. Father, are in me and I in you: even so, may they be one in us.

All: Father, we want to behold your glory,
the glory which you gave to your Son Jesus.
As you loved your Son before the foundation of the world,
help us to be convinced of your love for us, too.

Leader: Let us pray for peace and unity among all God's people, especially in families and in ecumenical circles.

All: Righteous Father,
clothe us with your Holy Spirit.
There are times when we don't recognize your Son, Jesus Christ.
Our prayer is to recognize him always
so as to make him known to all men and women.
And so may the love with which you loved your Son be always in us. Amen.

Personal Prayer (in silence)

Song for closing: Gift of Finest Wheat (by Omer Westendorf and Robert E. Kreutz)

This outline for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament is provided by the Daughters of St. Paul, an international congregation of consecrated women who serve the Church with the communications media. We ask that you remember our congregation, mission, and special intention of vocations in your prayer. When you are on-line, visit us at www.pauline.org.