Category Archives: spirituality

As of this writing in some places people praying Compline will be anticipating the observance of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) tonight. They will pray the “Saturday night” reading since it is designated for the eve of … Continue reading →

As the first letter of Peter comes to a close, a warning that was real for the people of the ancient Middle East, at least those who wandered out in the wilderness after dark. Lions are mentioned in the Bible … Continue reading →

On one level the readings assigned to the seven observances of Night Prayer seem to be assigned just for the mention of night or sleep. Don’t be deceived by these little mentions and simple-seeming assignments. There is depth in these … Continue reading →

In the outside world, Sunday night is the end of leisure time. The Compline reading looks to a grander end, the completion of all time when the Lord Jesus will complete his Reign and all peoples and nations will be … Continue reading →

In the Church’s Liturgy of the Hours, “Saturday” is not technically recognized in the evening or at Night Prayer. If you are a novice to this prayer, you will find tonight’s psalms and such under the heading of “Prayer I … Continue reading →

In the Church’s Night Prayer, a very brief reading follows the Psalm. Think of it as a reverse of the situation at Mass. In the Hours, Psalms are primary, and readings are “responsorial.” Tonight the verse is from one of … Continue reading →

In the Liturgy of the Hours, the Psalms come to the foreground of our prayer. Prose passages from the Bible are more brief, and tend to recede into the background. But that doesn’t mean they are insignificant. Take tonight’s verse … Continue reading →