Moderation in the Rule

Above all else we urge that if anyone finds this distribution of the psalms unsatisfactory, he should arrange whatever he judges better, provided that the full compliment of one hundred and fifty psalms is by all means carefully maintained every week, and that the series begins anew each Sunday at Vigils. RB80.18.22-23

After setting up guidelines for a proposed order of prayer, Benedict reminds the group that these are only guidelines not steadfast rules. He seems to realize that there may be circumstances within groups that would call for modifications, and that is actually okay. This is part of the genius that has allowed this form of living to still be viable after more than 1500 years.

There needs to be a certain amount of flexibility in life that allows for adjustments to be made for situations that might arise. Without this ability to adjust as necessary, structures can become rigid with little or no opportunity to modify. Although there is a need for structure in life a certain amount of fluidity is also needed. This ability to adapt helps us to find a balance in everyday life.

What am I doing to help find a healthy balance in my life today?

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Vespers--Prayers at Twilight

Prayers at dawn and at twilight (Lauds/morning prayer and Vespers/evening prayer) are the bookends to our day. Just as I learned to pray on awakening and before sleep daily these two specific prayer times at the beginning and the end of the day set the tone for my daily life. Those days when I miss a prayer time or rush through prayers just to fill a requirement definitely have a different feel to them.

So...what is distinctive about these times of prayer and why are they so important? For me, morning prayer sets the tone for the day. It's starting my day of right by having a conversation with God. This is also an opportunity to thank God for protecting me throughout the night and giving me another opportunity to grow. I can offer the upcoming day to God so that I can remember concretely that the day is God's gift to me. Vespers is the time when I can thank God for the blessings the day has brought and ask God for the grace to improve tomorrow. It offers me the opportunity to review the day and put it away in God's presence.

How can this practice be incorporated into daily living? One way to start is praying a psalm together as a family before bedtime and concluding with an Our Father. Another idea is to add another psalm on weekend mornings (when life is a little less hectic).

Sr. Catherine, OSB

O God Come to My Assistance

Each of the community prayer times is to begin with the following invocation: O God, come to my assistance. O Lord make haste to help me. With this constant reminder throughout the day of our need for God's grace and mercy, our day is filled with an awareness of who I am and who God is in the world. God is Creator, I am created.

Sometimes it is hard for me to remember that, especially if I am on a very successful stretch of time when most things seem to be going extremely well. I can have a tendency to take credit for the successes and accomplishments in my life and forget that actually they are all a very generous gift from God; since without God's grace I can do very little successfully.

This verse at the beginning of our community prayers recalls this fact for me. I am invited to remember throughout the day, whose I am and to whom I should be grateful.

May I always remember to praise God for his gifts to me.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Alleluia on Sundays

Sundays in the weekly prayer order are set apart from the other days through the addition of "Alleluia" at the end of the psalms. The only exception is the Lenten season when Alleluia is not used at all.

Why are Sundays set apart from the other days?

• Sundays are considered the day to remember and celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. In a sense, through our celebration of Sunday we celebrate again the Resurrection.
• Sundays are set apart as a day of leisure and renewal. In the Rule, Benedict sets apart Sunday as the day for extra prayer and study of the scriptures.
• As the first day of the week, Sunday can set the tone and rhythm for the week that is to follow.

What am I doing to set Sundays apart in my life?

Sr. Catherine, OSB

The Lord's Prayer at Common Prayer

Assuredly, the celebration of Lauds and Vespers must never pass without the superior's reciting the entire Lord's Prayer at the end for all to hear, because thorns of contention are likely to spring up. Thus warned by the pledge they make to one another in the very words of this prayer: Forgive us as we forgive (Matt 6:12), they may cleanse themselves of this kind of vice. RB80. 13.12-13

Anytime that a group is gathered together to work on a project, be part of a team or interact closely for an extended period of time, differences of opinion, misunderstandings and minor hurts are likely to spring up. Benedict seems to have understood this concept from his observations of human nature. Knowing this potential, Benedict sets forth that the Lord's Prayer should be recited at least twice daily (morning and evening). This would serve as a gentle reminder that we are to be a forgiving people if we are to work for any length of time together in peace.

The line that Benedict focuses on is: Forgive us as we forgive (Matt 6.12). This line in the prayer helps me to remember that just as I am seeking God's mercy and forgiveness; others are also seeking the same from me. It helps me to remember that I need to work on my own faults first before I even consider holding others accountable for theirs. Good as I might want to appear, I am not above reproach.

This form of reality check helps me to be more patient and understanding with others. In a sense, we are all doing the best we can given our personal situations. This reminder helps me to be at least a little less judgemental of others (at least in theory).

How am I forgiving others today?

Sr. Catherine, OSB

On Giving Praise

Today's selection from the Rule speaks about Lauds/Morning Praise/Morning Prayer. It is in all creation to praise God as our creator ceaselessly.

What are some practical ways in which this can be accomplished?

• setting time aside daily to enjoy nature; to marvel at the beauty of creation
• taking time to just sit and think--even for only a few minutes
• writing a blessings/gratitude list, something that I can reread when days can seem long
• spending time with a friend

These are just some of the ways in which I can increase my ability to praise God daily.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

On Laughter

The tenth step of humility is that he is not given to ready laughter, for it is written: Only a fool raises his voice in laughter (Sir 21:23). RB80.7.59

The tenth step of humility seems, at first glance, to be totally against humor and mirth of any kind. Looking at the passage from the Book of Sirach to which this passage refers there is a sense that it is the shallowness of a person who laughs at anything at all that is being addressed.

A person of wisdom and stature would be able to discern the words that are worth listening to, be able to evaluate the content of the message and even the true message that might be found below the surface of words. That person would be able to evaluate whether laughter is an appropriate response or not.

An unwise person or one who has not reached full maturity might tend to laugh out of nervousness or the discomfort of an awkward pause. The wise person is able to sit silently and wait for the time to respond lovingly.

I desire to be that wise person--the one that seems to always know how to respond in any given situation. What am I doing today to increase that ability within myself? How am I learning to make silence my friend?

Please pray for the School of Lectio training which will be held this week at our monastery. May God bless all of the participants and staff with wisdom and peace.

Sr. Catherine, OSB