WCCM Oblate Blog: Reflections from Daily Reading of the Rule of St. Benedict

WCCM Benedictine Oblates are encouraged to read a designated portion of the Rule daily, and to write a brief, personal response. I hope that this blog will support our Oblate community in this practice. Please, keep blog entries brief and in a first-person ("I") voice. Refrain from discussing, offering an opinion, or commenting on other entries. Simply consider how a particular section of the Rule is speaking to you in your present circumstances.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Chapter 11: Vigils or night office on Sunday

This arrangement for Vigils is followed in the same way on every Sunday both in summer and winter, unless -- which God forbid -- the community gets up late, in which case the lessons or responsories should to some extent be shortened.

(From para. 2 of Ch. 11 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

In the very midst of his instructions, I read that St. Benedict compassionately acknowledges human failing -- as well as forgiveness, reasonable adjustment and continued commitment. May this be a model for me in my own spiritual practice.

2 comments:

Roger SessionsOctober 14, 2012 at 5:30 PM
"When that is finished, they read from the gospels while all stand with respect and awe."

Sunday is the day I am to dedicate to God with respect and awe.
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val latonaOctober 15, 2012 at 3:51 AM
I am grateful for this gift of the Divine Office with the psalms, readings from the Old and New Testament all pre-arranged and pre-packaged. All I have to do is open and unpack them. Each reading is a gift filled with delight and surprise. "To savor your words is my delight, O Lord. Honey itself is not sweeter."
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