Saint Benedict’s practicality shines out in this chapter of The Rule. He builds on the psalmody order of Vigils and Lauds by promoting Psalms to be read during the remaining hours of prayer. His simple instructions are filled with rich spiritual nourishment.
In the morning hour of Prime the community prayerfully reflects on the incarnation of God revealed in His Son, Jesus Christ, we open prayer with the contemplative versicle, “God come to my assistance.” And respond, “Lord make haste to help me.” Three Psalms are shared responsively. Each is followed by “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.” We acknowledge the triune nature of God, as well as the redemption of all creation through Christ, who has restored all things to their perfect nature as they were originally created and before the devil’s corruption of sin. Prime concludes with the Kyrie, Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.
The only variation for the daytime hours that follow depends on the number of those gathered for prayer. Larger groups include refrains with the Psalms. For those unfamiliar with liturgical worship, refrains are brief extracts from the Psalms, which recall the attention of those gathered to the heart of the readings. Perhaps larger groups are challenged to remained focused on the spirit of the Psalm they have heard and will benefit from the summarized refrain. Smaller groups may be better able to focus, so they have less need to benefit from a refrain. Benedict does not offer an opinion on the size of a small or large gathering.
As the day ends the fewer Psalms are shared; four at Vespers and three at Compline. However, Benedict’s emphasis on Psalms readings is reflected in his instructions for each Liturgy of the Hours. Perhaps that emphasis is the most profound attribute of the chapters regarding prayer. The Psalms provide rich resource for the practice of faith. The Psalms offer prayers of praise, thanksgiving, trust, but overwhelmingly they express lament.
In the west, we appear frightened of lament. In the discomfort of pain and tragedies, as well as the stillness of death, we often feel the need to deny the aches by words we intend for comfort. However, our platitudes often fall empty and may even be more harmful than helpful. God created us with our emotions; happiness, sorry, and even anger.
Hurting, we want to be seen and heard, rather than taught or lectured. Even when we know, platitudes are not welcomed. The hurting soul desires to know, “I see you” and your emotions are valid. The Psalms validate our emotions, all our emotions, especially our laments. The Psalms give us permission to sit in the mess and hurt when the world wants to excuse our pain. Our enlightened world pressures us to understand everything. God offers us peace that exceeds understanding. Benedict realizes the Psalms are songs of God’s peace, even in the quietness of pain and lament. “As it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be forever, world without end. Amen.”
