Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Post Visitation Thoughts

Another day to be grateful for the Liturgy of the Hours, since I was unable to get to mass. But the office of the day kept this lovely event present throughout my day of work.

This is the day for the slothful to ask Our Lady for help with their besetting sin. At least, so says Dante. In the Purgatorio, souls who are being purified of this sin are made to run. And run. And run.

A lot.

And the scripture verse given to them as a motto is from the Visitation, "And Mary went with haste."

In other words, don't hesitate or procrastinate when it's time to do what is right. Just do it, and do it wholeheartedly. As Our Lady did.

The gem of the day (for me) was this bit from the Office of Readings, where St. Bede states that it is "an excellent and fruitful custom of holy Church that we should sing Mary's hymn at the time of evening prayer."  A great reminder that the Divine Office connects us not  only to all the faithful who pray it today, but to those who prayed these same psalms and canticles centuries ago.  And, I guess, to the heavenly choir that sings them throughout eternity. Together we form one big symphony of praise.

It's been a while since we've had a Q&A post. Any and all questions or comments about the Liturgy of the Hours are welcome.