Host or designated reader/leader begins the Upper Room prayer hour by reading this message from Fr. David: Dear Friends in Christ; Message for December 2014 This month I want to share something I have learned from Fr. Jacques Philippe who is a member of the Community of the Beatitudes, founded in France in 1973. Ordained a priest in 1985 and a preacher of retreats in France and abroad, he has written several books which focus on the themes of interest to modern readers. I found the point we are to examine this month in his book Interior Freedom. It relates to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives and he puts an emphasis on this action of God that I never thought of before. Simply put: that the Holy Spirit doesn t just work in the glorious fashion of the sacraments and prophesy and healing and tongues etc., but also in the joyful and sorrowful moments of our lives. Fr. Philippe uses the life of St. Peter to illustrate his point and the structure of the Mysteries of the Rosary - Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious (not Luminous) to open our eyes. The action of God is carried out by the Holy Spirit. Let s look at three scripture passages related to St. Peter and translate some of its meaning into our own lives. In Christ; Fr. David
Open with Sign of Cross and Prayer to the Holy Spirit Prayer Prayer to the Holy Spirit L: Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth Your Spirit, O Lord, and they shall be created. R: And You shall renew the face of the earth L: Let us pray God our Father, pour out the gifts of your Holy Spirit on the world. You sent the Spirit on Your Church to begin the teaching of the Gospel; now let the Spirit continue to work in the world through the hearts of all who believe. Through Christ our Lord. R: Amen L: You, O lord, will open my lips. R: And my tongue shall announce Your praise. L: Incline unto my aid, O God. R: O Lord, make haste to help me. L: Glory be to the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. R: As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen
Readings and Discussion Questions Please read the discussion questions before doing the reading You can have other members of the prayer group do the reading if you wish Read John 1:35-42 1) This joyful moment of Peter s Life centers on his vocation or call to follow Jesus. Recall your own vocation (most especially) when you first met your spouse. Was it a joyful occasion? 2) Do you see the renaming of Peter as a kind of baptism? How is baptism one of the most joyful moments of our life and the lives of parents and families? 3) The virtue of joy should mark a new movement in one s life. Recall each joyful mystery of the Rosary and talk about the movement of God or where the Holy Spirit was present Read Luke 22:54-62 1) This sorrowful moment of Peter s Life centers on his denial of Christ. He lies about knowing Jesus for fear of retribution from the crowd. Where is God in all this? 2) Do you see the weeping of Peter as a kind of baptism of repentance? The sorrow or compunction of Peter for his sins is a remarkable moment that changes his life forever. How do sad and unfortunate things grip you and how can this pain cause change in our lives? 3) Recall each sorrowful mystery of the Rosary and talk about the movement of God or where the Holy Spirit was present Read Acts of the Apostles 2: 14-41 1) This glorious moment in Peter s life centers on the pouring out of the Holy Spirit into his life and the lives of the Apostles. God is easily found in this moment of Pentecost Sunday name those found in chapter 2 of Acts. 2) You must see the baptisms of 3,000 that day as an indicator of the overt presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church. Peter as the head of the Church inspires the crowd to follow Christ. In full circle now Peter is doing what Christ did for him only this time 3,000 fold. Recall stories of conversion or change of heart in the lives of others. Especially tell stories where you played a role. 3) Recall each glorious mystery of the rosary and talk about the movement of God or where the Holy Spirit was present
Pray together: Litany of the Holy Spirit Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Father all powerful, Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless Life of both, Holy Trinity, Holy Spirit, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, Holy Spirit, Who art equal to the Father and the Son, Promise of God the Father, Ray of heavenly light, Author of all good, Source of heavenly water, Consuming Fire, Ardent Charity, Spiritual Unction, Spirit of love and truth, Spirit of wisdom and understanding, Spirit of counsel and fortitude, Spirit of knowledge and piety, Spirit of the fear of the Lord, Spirit of grace and prayer, Spirit of peace and meekness, Spirit of modesty and innocence, Holy Spirit, the Comforter, Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, Holy Spirit, Who governest the Church, Gift of God the Most High, Spirit Who fillest the universe, Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, have mercy on us. save us. sanctify us. hear us. enter our hearts. enter our hearts. have mercy on us. Holy Spirit, inspire us with horror of sin. Holy Spirit, come and renew the face of the earth. Holy Spirit, shed Thy Light into our souls. Holy Spirit, engrave Thy law in our hearts. Holy Spirit, inflame us with the flame of Thy love. Holy Spirit, open to us the treasures of Thy graces. Holy Spirit, teach us to pray well. Holy Spirit, enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations.
Holy Spirit, lead us in the way of salvation. Holy Spirit, grant us the only necessary knowledge. Holy Spirit, inspire in us the practice of good. Holy Spirit, grant us the merits of all virtues. Holy Spirit, make us persevere in justice. Holy Spirit, be our everlasting reward. send us Thy Holy Spirit. pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Spirit. grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety. Come, Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Let us pray. Grant, O merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, who liveth and reigneth forever and ever. Amen. Theme of Next Month s Upper Room will be a surprise!