Monday, September 5, 2016
Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 188 - Part III.
(Youcat
answer - repeated) The Liturgy of the Hours is the universal, public prayer of
the Church. Biblical readings lead the person who prays it ever deeper into the
mystery of the life of Jesus Christ. Throughout the world this gives the Triune
God the opportunity at every hour of the day to transform gradually those who
pray and also the world. The Liturgy of the Hours is prayed not only by priests
and religious.
Many Christians who
take their faith seriously join their voices with the many thousands of praises
and petitions that ascend to God from all over the world.
A deepening through CCC
(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.
Reflecting and meditating
(Youcat comment) The seven “hours of prayer” are
like a treasury of the Church’s prayers. It also loosens our tongues when we
have become speechless because of joy, sorrow, or fear. Again and again one is
astonished in reciting the Liturgy of the Hours: an entire reading “coincidentally”
applies precisely to my situation. God hears us when we call to him. He answers
us in these texts—often in a way that is so specific as to be almost
disconcerting. In any case he also allows us to have long periods of silence
and dryness so that we can demonstrate our fidelity. The seven times for prayer
in the Liturgy of the Hours are: Matins (Office of Readings or Vigils, in the
early morning hours) Lauds (Morning Prayer) Terce (9:00 a.m., Midmorning
Prayer) Sext (12:00 noon, Midday Prayer) None (3:00 p.m., Midafternoon Prayer)
Vespers (Evening Prayer) Compline (Night Prayer).
(CCC Comment)
(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.
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