A Thought

“Blessed is the one who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly nor stands in the path of sinners nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but delights in the Law of the Lord, and in the Law one meditates day and night.”  Psalm 1:1-2

Observing the monks at St. Benedict in Subiaco AR recently, their regular service of “Hours” is praying and chanting the psalms.  I found in this quiet service a sense of solitude and solace not often found in many other worship settings in which the burden of service (and “entertaining” the congregation) is placed on the worship leaders such as the music directors and pastors.  In the service of “Hours”, everyone participates equally though they take turns as to who will read the responsorial as well as a selection from the Gospels or the Epistles.

I think maybe our world, including many of our churches, has gotten a little too busy for our spiritual good.  As much as we can (and should!) pray and praise the Lord with our words and our hymns, we often forget the importance of sitting still and silent so that we may reflect on what has been shared; so that the Lord may then have His own say in response to our prayers and hymns of praise.

Let us learn to slow down and listen more carefully.  It is only in genuine reflection and contemplation that the Voice of the Lord may be heard more fully and completely.  We must never forget that the “one who delights in the Law of the Lord” is the one whose “leaf shall not wither; and whatever one does shall prosper” (Psalm 1:3).

Blessings,

Michael