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.)
In reading Benedict's instructions for the number of psalms to be sung at the hours, I glimpse something that lifts me above my small self -- 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.
“Now that the daylight fills the sky,
ReplyDeletewe lift our hearts to God on high,
that he, in all we do or say,
would keep us free from harm today”(Hymn from Lauds today).
Abba, love for you casts out each and everyone of my fears. The silence and stillness of meditation allows you to open my stubborn heart to receive your love.