243. What is the Liturgy of the Hours? (part 2) (continuation)
(Comp
243 repetition) The Liturgy of the Hours, which is the public and common prayer
of the Church, is the prayer of Christ with his body, the Church. Through the
Liturgy of the Hours the mystery of Christ, which we celebrate in the
Eucharist, sanctifies and transforms the whole of each day. It is composed
mainly of psalms, other biblical texts, and readings from the Fathers and
spiritual masters.
“In brief”
(CCC 1196) The faithful who
celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours are united to Christ our high priest, by the
prayer of the Psalms, meditation on the Word of God, and canticles and
blessings, in order to be joined with his unceasing and universal prayer that gives
glory to the Father and implores the gift of the Holy Spirit on the whole
world.
To deepen and explain
(CCC 1177) The hymns and litanies
of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of
the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season,
or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at
each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia)
and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more
deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the
psalms, and prepare for silent prayer. The lectio
divina, where the Word of God is so read and meditated that it becomes
prayer, is thus rooted in the liturgical celebration.
On reflection
(CCC 1176) The celebration of the
Liturgy of the Hours demands not only harmonizing the voice with the praying
heart, but also a deeper "understanding of the liturgy and of the Bible,
especially of the Psalms" (SC 90). (CCC 1178) The Liturgy of the Hours,
which is like an extension of the Eucharistic celebration, does not exclude but
rather in a complementary way calls forth the various devotions of the People
of God, especially adoration and worship of the Blessed Sacrament. [END]
No comments:
Post a Comment