In prescribing such specific instructions for the structure of the Night Office, Benedict is doing far more than organizing the prayer life of his monks. He is teaching them—and us—how to pray.
Sister Joan Chittister reminds us that our capacity for prayer depends upon the place and power of God in our lives. We pray because God draws us into prayer. Indeed, she suggests that we are not even the authors of our own prayers. It is not our virtue, our discipline, or our spiritual accomplishments that bring us into the heart of God. It is God's goodness and grace that invite us there.
Prayer, then, is not simply something we do for God. It is something God does within us.
Sister Joan helps us understand that authentic prayer engages the whole person—mind, body, and soul. It is not to be a passive exercise, nor should it ever be simply the recitation of familiar words. Prayer calls for our full attention, our presence, and our willingness to be changed by what we hear.
Benedict invites us to do more than read sacred words. He asks us to enter into them, to listen with the ear of the heart, to allow the words to take root within us. When we immerse ourselves in sacred reading, we make room for God to speak to us—and, perhaps more importantly, we make ourselves ready to listen.
This is the heart of meditative reading. We read slowly, reflect deeply, and remain attentive to the movements of the Spirit within us. Journaling can become a natural extension of this practice, helping us recognize and remember those moments when a word, a phrase, or a thought touches something deep within our hearts.
Prayer is not merely our reaching toward God. It is our response to the God who is already reaching toward us.
If you would like to explore this practice more deeply, visit Links of Interest and read the article on Meditative Reading and Journaling. It offers a way to bring the wisdom of Benedict into the quiet moments of our daily lives.
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