Homilies and Reflections

ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES

JUBILEE OF MERCY

INTRODUCTORY RITES:

OPENING HYMN

GREETING

INTRODUCTION

OPENING PRAYER

CELEBRATION OF THE WORD OF GOD

READING:

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

GOSPEL VERSE

GOSPEL

HOMILY

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

RITE OF RECONCILIATION

GENERAL CONFESSION OF SIN

LITANY OF REPENTANCE

RESPONSE: LORD HAVE MERCY

LORD'S PRAYER

CONCLUDING PRAYER

BLESSING

ANNOUNCEMENTS

INDIVIDUAL CONFESSION OF SIN AND ABSOLUTION

AN EXMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

“Care for your spiritual life, your relationship with God.”

Am I a Christian who is not nourished by prayer and the sacraments?

Do I spend time studying the Word of God?

“Care for your family life...”

Do I give my family time, attention and love?

Do I care for their daily needs?

“Heal the wounds of the heart with the oil of forgiveness...”

Have I forgiven others who have hurt me?

Have I said “I'm sorry” to those whom I have hurt and have I tried to make amends?

“Watch how you speak...”

Do I need to purify my everyday language from offensive words, vulgarities and phrases used in the worldly decadence?

Do I gossip about others or tell false truths?

“Care for your work...”

Do I work with enthusiasm and passion?

Am I humble enough to thank the Lord for my accomplishments?

Do I use my God-given skills and talents in the service of others?

“Avoid envy, lust, hatred, and negative feelings...”

Are my thoughts and actions destructive toward my relationships, especially with those whom I love?

Do my thoughts destroy my inner peace?

Do I say insulting things when it would be better to remain silent?

Do I surround myself with angry or destructive people?

“Reach out to those who need you...this is how you will be judged.”

Do I assist the weak, the elderly, the sick?

Do I stand up for foreigners or for those who are oppressed?

Do I feed the hungry and shelter the homeless?

“Let go of...”

Have I let go of the bitterness that brings us to revenge?

Have I let go of the laziness that leads to existential euthanasia?

Have I let go of the finger-pointing that leads to pride?

Have I let go of the complaining that leads to despair?

ACT OF CONTRITION

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.

PENANCES

(Choose one of the following)

During the next week, spend an hour in prayer for those who are the victims of abuse or neglect. Read Matthew 25: 31-46.

As a family, prepare a basket of food or toiletries and give it to a family in need.

Skip a meal at your favorite restaurant. Use the money to purchase a gift for a person served by a parish organization or local charity.

Identify a person whom you have offended since your last confession and pray for them each day for a week.

Reflect on the Beatitudes...find someone who meets one of those needs, such as one who mourns, and send them a note or visit them during Advent.

Speak a word of affirmation to each member of your household this week. Make an effort to “help carry someone's burden” among your friends or family members.

Take a “prayer time” of ten minutes or so...and ask God if there is something God would like to say to you...and LISTEN.

Call or write a note to someone who may be lonely or in need of “comfort and joy.”

Gather your family members for a reading of the “Christmas Story” from the Gospel of Matthew or Luke. Discuss what it means to them and to you.

Include a weekday Mass in your plans during Advent.

Every morning until Christmas, say a Hail Mary for peace.

PROCLAMATION OF PRAISE FOR GOD'S MERCY

After your individual confession has been heard, please say the following prayer of thanksgiving and then you may leave the church silently.

Give thanks to the LORD for he is good,