Work of God

          St. Benedict tells us in his Rule "to prefer nothing to the work of God".  We also know  that the primary ministry of Benedictines is this work of God.  What is this work of God?  The work of God is our prayer life of the Liturgy of the Hours and also our Lectio Divina.  Benedictines take this work of God very seriously, it is our life-long commitment. 

          The other day I arrived early for the Liturgy of the Hours and was able to see the sisters assemble. One sister, in her 90's, was pushing a wheelchair sister into the chapel. The wheelchair sister was pushing the walker of the helper ahead of the wheelchair. I am always struck by the consistency of the infirmary sisters coming to the liturgy of the hours.The rest of the community eventually gathered.This is the same in the early hours of the morning or at the other prayer times during the day. 

          

          Beside the morning prayer time and evening time, we have two other times during the day, one at noon and one in the evening. Lectio Divina, or praying with the Scriptures, is done privately by each of us during the day.

          What is the Liturgy of the Hours? It is the Divine Office and consists in singing a hymn, praying a selection of Psalms, reading of Scripture, a sung Canticle, the Our Father and a closing prayer. In the morning, the Canticle of Zachary is sung and in the evening, it is the Canticle of Mary. General Intercessions are prayed in the evening, praying for the needs in the world and timely intentions among us. We always have prayer intentions from people on our liturgy board in the hallway that are posted regularly.The word "Liturgy" means "the work of the people."  Here at prayer the work of the people becomes the work of God.  God receives our work and gives it back a hundred fold!

          A quote I discovered recently from the book of Wisdom says:  "Desire therefore my words; long for them and you shall be instructed."  Wisdom 6:11.

          Sr. Barbara Woeste, OSB