CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP

First Thursday  Adoration Service

 

v Introduction

“You did not choose me, but I chose you.”

The theme for this evening’s adoration service is a call to discipleship. We are all called by the Lord in a very special way to be his disciples and to follow him closely. We have responded positively to the Lord’s call and that is the reason why we are here today.  As we spend this half an hour in front of the Eucharistic Lord, let us express our gratitude for this wonderful gift of our Salesian vocation and pray for the grace to be faithful to this call till the end of our life.

 

v Entrance Hymn (Pray Sing, No.4, Called to Walk …)

 

v Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

 

v We are called to be disciples of the Lord. A disciple is different from a pupil. The pupil need not have any personal experience with the master but a disciple must have a personal experience of the master. Our Lord in his mercy and love has come down to us in the form of bread to offer us this experience. And he invites us to enter into a deep personal relationship with him. Let’s spend a few moments in silence thanking the Lord for this marvelous gift and inviting him to come into our hearts. (Silence)

 

v Gospel Reading

The disciple is one who is attentive to the voice of his master. Now as we listen to the Gospel Reading let us open our hearts to the Word of God that it may sink deep into our hearts.

Mk. 1:14-20

 

v Reflection on the Word of God

Commentator: Dear friends, closing our eyes let us imagine that we are standing on the shore of the lake of Galilee where Jesus called his first disciples. We heard the call of Jesus like the disciples, and let us respond to his call whole-heartedly.

Reader 1: Simon and Andrew, who lived along the Sea of Galilee, stood by the shore to cast their nets. Now Jesus watched them from afar. Then called them each by name and said, “Follow me, I will make you fishers of men.” And they left everything and followed him. That call changed the lives of these simple men and they would never be the same.

Reader 2:  And as he walked along the sea shore, he found James and John the sons of Zebedee; Jesus called them. They left their work and all they held so dear. They followed him without regret.

Reader 3: And as he passed the Tax collector’s Booth, he saw Mathew. He simply said, “Come follow me!” And he left everything and followed him.

Commentator: That was how Jesus called his disciples; that was their vocation; that was their discipleship.

Commentator: The same Jesus who called Andrew and Peter, James and John, and Matthew is calling us too. He is with us in the form of the Eucharistic Bread.

(Silence)

Commentator: Here is Jesus, our Lord – who called us to follow him. He wants us to go out as the heralds of his Good News. Let us open our hearts to him and listen to his voice. (Pause)

After having listened to Jesus who calls us with much love to be with him, let us examine and see how we have responded to his call! How faithful we were in our commitment to him? (Pause)

Human as we are, we might have failed to live according to the commitment we made to the Lord. But he is ever ready to forgive our shortcomings. Let us be sorry for our sins and in the silence of our heart ask pardon from the Lord for the times we failed to live as his true disciples.

(Silence)

 

v Prayers of Petition

Having reconciled with Jesus our Master let us now place all our prayers and petitions in front of the Lord with the firm faith that he will hear us. Let our response be “Lord in your mercy hear our prayer.”

o  Loving Lord we pray for the Holy Catholic Church, that she may ever strengthen your disciples in bearing witness to your Good News. R/

o  Lord we pray for all the missionaries working in different parts of the world, especially our missionaries working in the missions of Gujarat and Ahmednagar, that they may find true joy and happiness in proclaiming your Gospel to all. R/

o  Lord Jesus we pray for all of us gathered here that we who are called to be your disciples may live our lives worthily of the call that we have received and be faithful to it every day of our life and every moment of our existence. R/

v Hymn of Adoration

 

v Final Hymn (Praysing, No. 208, Follow me…)