World Youth Day USA Guides Retreat Manual | Page 18

OPENING PRAYER

Scripture Reading (Lk 9:28b-36)

NOTE TO LEADER: You will need a “prayer

Reader: A Reading from the Gospel of Luke:

leader.” This could be you or one of the participants.
For the reflection on Jesus the Pilgrim, you will need

Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up

four readers. To open the session, the official WYD

the mountain to pray. While he was praying his

theme song (in English, Spanish, or Polish, or in the

face changed in appearance and his clothing

language(s) of the participants) should be sung (with

became dazzling white. And behold, two men

accompaniment) or played (via a recording). Having

were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah,

Bibles and a worship aid would be helpful.

who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus
that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.

Opening Hymn
World Youth Day Theme Song,

Peter and his companions had been overcome

“Blessed Are the Merciful”

by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw
his glory and the two men standing with him.

Opening Prayer

As they were about to part from him, Peter said

Leader:

to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let

+ In the name of the Father,

us make three tents, one for you, one for

and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not
know what he was saying.

Gracious and merciful God,
you gather us from places far and wide

While he was still speaking, a cloud came and

to be in your presence.

cast a shadow over them, and they became

You call us to follow you as

frightened when they entered the cloud. Then

your beloved sons and daughters.

from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is

Bless our walking and our wandering,

my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice

our serving and our stumbling.

had spoken, Jesus was found alone.

Help us to recognize you along the way, and

They fell silent and did not at that time tell

may our journey always lead us closer to you.

anyone what they had seen.

We ask this in the name of Christ Jesus, our
teacher and Lord.

The Gospel of the Lord.

ALL: Amen.

ALL: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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