As I prayed the Divine Office, I realized I was missing something important. When I pray alone, I tend to forget the call-and-response rhythm of the psalms. A more conscious effort to place the pause within each couplet, instead of between couplets restores the sense that I am praying with others, with the Church. This effort to overcome my tendency to make each psalm a ‘run-on sentence’ led to an ‘Aha!’ moment.
This taking of a deep breath at each asterisk within couplets reminds me to take in the grace I need within the difficult moments, the demanding moments, the purposeful moments of my life. Instead of pausing when finished with a task, resting from an ordeal, or finally past an obstacle, I need to open up and wait upon the Lord ‘in the middle’ – in the midst.
Next time you pray the Office (and the sooner, the better!) try making this tiny change and you’ll find new spaces opening up within your full and busy life.
What a priceless gem of wisdom. Thank you Charlotte for sharing this timely reminder with those of us who sometimes pray the Liturgy of the Hours too mechancially.
Love it, Charlotte! I have lately tried three deep breaths in honor of the Trinity between antiphons, readings and other transitions which slows me down and helps keep the spirit of reflection.
Thank you! A blessed solemnity ( for us Carmelites) of St. Teresa.
Cindy, for some reason your Trinity breaths remind me of G.K. Chesterton, who (how does one remember???) made the sign of the Cross each time he went into a different room…again, the idea of transitions being ‘crossroads’ and important somehow. This is great food for thought! Charlotte