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Fifth Sunday of Lent
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Fifth Sunday of LentHi all, Welcome to the Fifth Sunday of Lent! Please find our prayer and opportunity for reflection below. May God bless you and your week ahead!
Opening Prayer: Litany of St. Joseph
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Noble Offspring of David, pray for us.
Light of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.
Chaste Guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.
Foster-Father of the Son of God, pray for us.
Zealous Defender of Christ, pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
Joseph Most Just, pray for us.
Joseph Most Chaste, pray for us.
Joseph Most Prudent, pray for us.
Joseph Most Courageous, pray for us.
Joseph Most Obedient, pray for us.
Joseph Most Faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of Patience, pray for us.
Lover of Poverty, pray for us.
Model of Workmen, pray for us.
Glory of Domestic Life, pray for us.
Guardian of Virgins, pray for us.
Pillar of Families, pray for us.
Comfort of the Afflicted, pray for us.
Hope of the Sick, pray for us.
Patron of the Dying, pray for us.
Terror of Demons, pray for us.
Protector of the Holy Church, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
He has made him lord of his household, And prince over all his possessions. Let us pray. O God, who, in your loving providence, chose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most Holy Mother, grant us the favor of having him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our protector. You, who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Gospel Reading: John 12:20-33
Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast
came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee,
and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”
Philip went and told Andrew;
then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
Jesus answered them,
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me,
and where I am, there also will my servant be.
The Father will honor whoever serves me. “I am troubled now. Yet what should I say?
‘Father, save me from this hour’?
But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour.
Father, glorify your name.”
Then a voice came from heaven,
“I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”
The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder;
but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”
Jesus answered and said,
“This voice did not come for my sake but for yours.
Now is the time of judgment on this world;
now the ruler of this world will be driven out.
And when I am lifted up from the earth,
I will draw everyone to myself.”
He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.
Questions for Reflection (note - consider keeping a journal with your answers during the retreat):
1. We hear Jesus say "whoever serves me must follow me". How are you following and serving Jesus this Lent? How do you intend to follow and serve Jesus once Lent is over?
2. What is most troubling to you right now? How can you invite Jesus to be a part of what troubles you?
Activities:
1. Make a list of the things that are troubling you. Prayerfully devise a prayer plan to bring these to the Lord. For example, you could offer a day for a particular trouble, in which you intend to pray for the grace of the Holy Spirit each time this particular trouble arises in your mind and heart.
2. As a family, consider some one in your family or friend circle who is in need of care and kindness right now. Plan a dinner to have them over and show them a good time of friendship and fun.
Closing Prayer: A Prayer for the Holy Family
Heavenly Father, you have given us the model of life in the holy family of Nazareth. Help us make our family another Nazareth where love, peace and joy reign. Teach us to see Jesus in the members of our families, especially in their distressing disguise. May we love one another as God loves each of us, more and more each day, and forgive each other's failings as you forgive our sins. Help us take whatever you give and give whatever you take with a big smile. - St. Teresa of Calcutta