Chapter 18: The order for reciting the psalms (paragraphs 1-2)
Each hour begins with the following verse: O God come to my assistance, O Lord make haste to help me. (From para. 1 of Ch. 18 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)
My heart so deeply resonates with the exact same verse that Cassian recommends for continuous prayer, and that Benedict recommends to begin each monastic hour. Maranatha, come Lord Jesus!
My heart so deeply resonates with the exact same verse that Cassian recommends for continuous prayer, and that Benedict recommends to begin each monastic hour. Maranatha, come Lord Jesus!
“The same psalms are repeated at these hours daily up to Sunday. Likewise, the arrangement of hymns, readings and versicles for these days remains the same. In this way, Psalm 119 will always begin on Sunday.”
ReplyDeleteIf I were never to read the Rule, I would never understand the arrangement of the Psalms and the rationale behind the arrangement according to St. Benedict. Quite frankly, I do not pray all the psalms, nor do I keep to the schedule of all the hours of the Divine Office. Vigils and Vespers and Compline fit into my meditation schedule and that is what ties me down to those specific prayer times. But with that said, reading the Rule brings my attention to reflect as in today’s reading, on Psalm 119. The words that stand out for me are in the second stanza of the very beginning,”They are happy who do his will, seeking him with all their hearts.” Those words bring me to the purpose of my prayer and meditation and my life-seeking the Lord, God with my whole heart, and then following in His will to love as He loves.