Chapter 17: The number of psalms to be sung at the hours
We have already set out the order of the psalms for Vigils and for Lauds. Now let us look at the order of the psalms for the rest of the Hours.
(From para. 1 of Ch. 17 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)
Today I'm reading Benedict's instructions for the number of psalms to be sung at the hours, on a day of much personal anxiety. I'm rewarded with a vision of a river of praise flowing incessantly. Benedict's guidelines for fidelity, order, and thoroughness in the singing of the psalms are in the same flowing spirit as saying the mantra faithfully, twice daily, from the beginning to the end of meditation.
Today I'm reading Benedict's instructions for the number of psalms to be sung at the hours, on a day of much personal anxiety. I'm rewarded with a vision of a river of praise flowing incessantly. Benedict's guidelines for fidelity, order, and thoroughness in the singing of the psalms are in the same flowing spirit as saying the mantra faithfully, twice daily, from the beginning to the end of meditation.
"But what those of us who try to tread this pilgrimage must always remember is that just
ReplyDeletebeing in his presence is all sufficient." (John Main) The mantra , the short ejaculations that Cassian suggested, especially, "God come to my assistance..." praise of the Triune God with the Glory Be and the prayer for mercy all open my awareness to God 's presence during the day. He is always here it is I who am not.