Thursday, June 15, 2017

Chapter 12: The celebration of solemn Lauds


For Lauds on Sunday the sixty sixth psalm should be said first of all straight through without an antiphon. (From Ch. 12 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

O God be gracious and bless us/and let your face shed its light upon us/So will your ways be known upon earth/and all nations learn your saving help. I recognize this as similar to an ancient, pre-Christian prayer, given to Moses by God, from the book of Numbers. The early books of the Old Testament teach me that in a covenant relationship, God works faithfully, through human disorder. I learn that God continues to bless me, even when it doesn't feel like it.

1 comment:

  1. “If we knew how to adore, then nothing could truly disturb our peace. We would travel through the world with the tranquility of the great rivers. But only if we know how to adore.” (Friar Eloi Leclerc quoted by Richard Rohr). Abba, teach me how to adore—how quietly to celebrate lauds and every hour of today.

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