Longing For God’s Temple
Catholic Church, My Journey August 9th, 2004
Can anyone be surprised that praying the ancient Liturgy of the Hours would express perfectly my current longings and journey? Prayer hallowed by tradition tends to do that! Today during Morning Prayer, I was struck by how sections of Psalm 84 prefectly expressed my feelings about coming to the Catholic Church. I’ve had a long, blessed, and sometimes very difficult spiritual journey since I started reading the Church Fathers in 1999. I know that the Catholic Church will not always be the perfect house, but I believe in my heart and soul it is the perfect home.
My soul is longing and yearning,
is yearning for the courts of the Lord.
My heart and soul ring out their joy
to God, the living God.
They are happy who dwell in your house,
forever singing your praise.
They are happy whose strength is in you,
in whose hearts are the roads to Zion.
As they go through the Bitter Valley
they make it a place of springs,
the autumn rain covers it with blessings.
They walk with ever growing strength,
they will see the God of gods in Zion.
One day in your courts
is better than a thousand elsewhere.
The threshold of the house of God,
I prefer to the dwellings of the wicked.
August 9th, 2004 at 11:06 pm
Jonathan,
The Liturgy of the Hours continues to be a blessing to me. The Lord used the Daily Office (ECUSA BCP 1979) to introduce me to the ancient rhythm of prayer of the Church, as I’m sure he did you.
We’re singing Hail Holy Queen this Sat. night and Sunday…Whoopi’s not the only one who sings it
Blessings to you and your brother this week! Off to pray Compline (i.e. Night Prayer).
Charles
August 10th, 2004 at 7:53 am
Charles,
It seems we came from a very similar direction. My first exposure to the Hours came from the 1979 BCP too. I still like the BCP Office, but the Liturgy of the Hours has so much more in terms of richness and fullness (e.g. the Saints, liturgical options, etc). I hope compline went well! I have always loved it. There’s something amazing about praying with the Church after the sun has gone down.