Chapter 45. Mistakes in the Oratory
Should anyone make a mistake in a psalm, responsory, refrain or reading, he must make satisfaction there before all. If he does not use this occasion to humble himself, he will be subjected to more severe punishment for failing to correct by humility the wrong committed through negligence. Children, however, are to be whipped for such a fault.
Being able to read at all was something rare up until the 19th and 20th century. Reading implied education, and education has almost always been the privilege of the wealthy. That was certainly the case in 6th century Europe. So a mistake in the liturgy showed that you were either:
a. not paying attention
b. had not bothered to go over the reading beforehand
c. you had dyslexia, which they didn't even know about or
d. you just didn't care.
As for whipping the children, I have nothing to say except times change, thank God.
As Lay Cistercians we should be thinking about what this chapter tells us about our own negligence in prayer. How often do you catch yourself in the middle of a psalm switching words around, because you simply aren't paying attention to your prayers; your mind is off on some extraneous subject? Or you rush through the prayers because, after all, you have more important things to do? Or you're just in a bad mood and don't give a flip.
Lay Cistercians must be people who pray with attention and devotion. We must not be negligent in how we pray. Prayer is our only weapon, comfort, and resource in the charism that keeps us close to the spirit of our calling.
Besides, if you don't pray with devotion, someone might whip you. Better that whipping come from yourself, or LCG Grandma, than from God Almighty. Or worse yet, a disappointed Jesus is more terrible than all the whippings in the world.
May God lead us altogether to everlasting life.
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