Early one Sunday morning, I found myself, a mid-western wife, with three Benedictine sisters and a priest. We were in a small monastery chapel, praying a Morning Prayer service, which included the Benedictus (or Song of Zachariah). The realization that I made in those moments has reshaped my life.
I am filled with gratitude for that ordinary Sunday morning. That morning I realized that the Benedictus is not only a beautiful ancient prayer of faithful praise. It has become my own prayerful call to live in the community of faith. This is a call shared by the larger Benedictine community. It describes faith in God as faith has been expressed since before the birth of Christ.
The words of the Benedictus, and the act of praying them, continually call me back to community, and to the Rule of Benedict. It serves both as my call to remember, and as my call to actively choose my life of faith, today.
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In some ways, for me, the Benedictus calls me to live even beyond the community of faith. Its reach is broad and universal, offering the covenant of Abraham and Sarah to all who seek the ways of forgiveness and peace. When I pray this ancient poem, the words "And you child..." are addressed to me, calling me to proclaim soul-health by my own offer of forgiveness. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all communities of faith might proclaim salvation by forgiveness rather than judgment?
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