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. (Ps. 66/67:1-2). This verse has always expressed extraordinary energy for me, of the penetrating and enlivening power of the sun, and of the love of the creator for his creatures. It also speaks to me of the human consciousness of Jesus who lives in and illumines my heart.

Chapter 11: Vigils or night office on Sunday

In these Vigils the arrangement should be that six psalms and a verse should be chanted, as described above, and then, when everyone has sat down in an orderly way on the benches, four lessons should be read from the book on the lectern with their responsories.
(From para. 1 of Ch. 11 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

I'm drawn to something as simple as sitting down in an orderly way on the benches. Again Benedict brings me back to the body in prayer -- selflessly attentive, fully present.

Chapter 10: The night office in summertime

From Easter until the first day of November the same number of psalms should be said as we have established for winter, but because the nights are shorter, instead of reading three lessons from the book on the lectern only one should be recited by heart from the Old Testament with a brief responsory to follow.

(From Ch. 10 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

This directive from Benedict speaks to me of the way prayer can flow with the mysterious rhythms of the natural world, especially from a realized heart.

Chapter 9: The number of psalms at the night office

During this winter season the office of Vigils begins with this verse recited three times; Lord, open my lips and my mouth will declare your praise.

(From para. 1 of Ch. 9 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

This morning a full-force blizzard rages outside my windows; the incessant wind stirs up my own restlessness. But Benedict's brave verse reminds me that God can order even my restlessness, if I offer it to him. 

Chapter 8: The Divine Office at night 

It seems reasonable that during wintertime, that is from the first of November until Easter all should arise at the eighth hour of the night. By that time, having rested until a little after midnight, they may rise with their food well digested.

(From Ch. 8 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

I think good digestion concern Benedict, not just because he's solicitous for others' comfort, but because of his firm grasp that the body participates in the prayer of being.

Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraphs 19-20)

The humility of their hearts should be apparent by their bodily movements to all who see them.

(From para. 19 of Ch. 7 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

The words that come to mind from Fr. John's teaching are integrated and incarnational. In the practice of meditation, all aspects of my being come to be integrated in my heart, in the most incarnational form of prayer there is.

Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraph 18)

We should speak gently and seriously with words that are weighty and restrained. We should be brief and reasonable in whatever we have to say and not raise our voices to insist on our own opinions.

(From para. 18 of Ch. 7 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

Because I may never know when I'm speaking to an angel, as Hebrews reminds me, or when an angel is speaking through me.