RB Refelction: 24 June 2008

Four psalms are sung each day at Vespers, starting with Psalm 109 and ending with Psalm 147, omitting the psalms in this series already assigned to other hours, namely, Psalms 117 through 127, Psalm 133 and Psalm 142. All the remaining psalms are said at Vespers. Since this leaves three psalms too few, the longer ones in the series should be divided: that is, Psalms 138, 143, and 144. And because Psalm 116 is short, it can be joined to Psalm 115. This is the order of psalms for Vespers; the rest is as arranged above: the reading, responsory, hymn, versicle and canticle. The same psalms--4, 90 and 133--are said each day at Compline.

Yesterday Benedict taught us that the psalms are profound. Today I would say they are the most profound prayers we can utter. It never fails when I get up in the morning, or sit down at night to pray, no matter my mood, there is something in one of the psalms that speaks directly to me!

With the importance of Psalmody established, let us now look at the importance of order, both in the monastery and in the Lay Cistercian's of Gethsemani. Benedict knew that if he did not set out a detailed liturgical list of what psalm for what day, the potential for trouble was present. "I don't like that psalm, let's not do it." Or, "Let's move that one to Tuesday, it's so depressing on Monday."

Lay Cistercian's are going to be confronted with changes that will come about as a result of the Encounter at Huerta. We do not know what is coming. In a way, we are very much like the monks and nuns of the Sixth Century before Benedict wrote the Rule. Now that the Lay Cistercian ball is in the OCSO's court, so to speak, we have to be prepared to do as they ask. In essence, we have asked them to be our Benedict. We have asked for guidance, and must be prepared to take what they give. It might be a detailed list, like Benedict's liturgical rules, or shockingly little, we do not yet know.

Are we ready to do that? Are we prepared to do as they ask us to do? Or shall we be like the mythical monk and say "Let's move that one to Tuesday, it's so depressing on Monday."