dailyoffice

Dan Salter joined the Fig seven years ago, was confirmed after going through “the Way” and continues to assist with that class. He also facilitates a men’s spirituality group, Sons of the Father, that meets Friday mornings at 6 a.m. http://www.sonsofthefatherfig.org/ Here is what he has to say about The Daily Office and he invites you to join him in Evening Prayer Sundays at 7 p.m. now through Pentecost.

When I was a kid in my catholic high school, I came across a priest in the hallway. His lips were moving, as he read from a very thick book with a bunch of ribbons. He was by himself. When I asked him, he showed me the breviary he was reading and explained that every priest in his order said prayers from it every day. He told me that way, at that moment, he was joining many others all over the planet praising God. Over time, I learned more and more about the “Liturgy of the Hours” and while only an occasional practitioner, I continue to be amazed by the beauty and thoughtfulness of the prayers.

As I joined the Episcopal Church, I learned these traditions are kept in our own Daily Office.

The Daily Office’s foundations are based in the early church monasteries where monks recited all of the psalms over the course of a week or so. (Usually from memory and in Latin!) Over the centuries, more and more was added – bible readings, prayers, collects, antiphons, etc… some of which required their own books. In the 12th century a “breviary” was created to organize all of these and to formalize their reading into the “Liturgy of the Hours”, which breaks prayer times into 3 hour time slots – midnight, 3am, 6am, etc… with names like: Matins, Lauds, Prime, Vespers, Compline, et al.

During the English reformation, Archbishop Cranmer consolidated this practice into the more manageable “Daily Office” which includes Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer and Compline. (BCP pgs 35-146) Be sure to take a look! Some of the most beautiful language in the BCP (and from scripture) is included in the prayers. Also, you will have the opportunity to use some collects that aren’t used any other place.

During Lent, Easter and other times throughout the year, I find the practice of reading these prayers to be meaningful and thought provoking for my own faith journey. For me, Compline is particularly settling and mindful. The prayers can be read by an individual, with a family or group, online (really!), podcast (really, really!) and only take 15 minutes or so. Compline is even shorter.

Right now, NeXtgen offers Evening Prayer for the whole church at 7 p.m. Sunday nights. I can’t recommend it more highly and it will only be with us through the beginning of June. Also, over the course of the Transfigured Nights series, the choir offers Evensong – a sung version of Evening Prayer that shouldn’t be missed.