Keeping a Rhythm

Artwork by Marcy Hall

I suspect St. Benedict would have been a good dancer, because it’s clear from reading his Rule that he’s really into rhythm — the daily rhythm of prayer, the rhythm of nature’s seasons, and the rhythms of the liturgical year. He prescribes exact times for his monks to meet for prayer every day and indicates that when the prayer bell rings, one must drop whatever is at hand and proceed immediately to the chapel. He changes the times for sleep, meals, and work for summer versus winter. He gives instructions for the number of prayers to be said on Sundays versus ordinary days versus anniversaries of saints, and he gives special attention to spiritual practices during Lent.

Living according to such a rhythm means that we are constantly called to be awake to the presence of God in our lives. Yes, our rhythms occasionally are disrupted, as when a guest unexpectedly appears; however, Benedict sees this as another opportunity to recognize Christ’s presence. Benedict indicates that the guest is to be greeted, invited to join in prayer, and then provided for, because as Jesus said, “I was hungry and you gave me food, thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me” (Mt 25:35).

When we don’t set aside specific times to remember God’s presence each day, our awareness gets lost in the demands of daily life. It’s rare for us to notice a sunrise or sunset unless it’s particularly spectacular, or know the phase of the moon on any given night, or see Christ in encounters with strangers, because we just aren’t paying attention. The rhythm of a regular prayer life in connection with the changing seasons at the very least draws our attention regularly to our Creator and Sustainer so we can join Christ in the dance of humility, gratitude, and hospitality.