The Work of God, IHM Prayer IV

For centuries the daily lives of monastic women and men revolved around praying the “Office.”   In Latin it was called “Opus Dei,” meaning the work of God. Priests refer to it as the Breviary that they are required to pray each day. Today we usually refer to this prayer as the Liturgy of the Hours.  Early in our IHM history we had prayed structured  devotional prayers in the morning, before supper and at the end of the day.  After Vatican Council II as we discovered the richness of the Scriptures we relished learning to pray the Scripture-based Liturgy of the Hours.  Some groups of IHMs living together today take time once a day to pray the Office, often using The People’s Companion to the Breviary, appreciating its inclusive language and wonderful variety of readings from Scriptures, writings of the saints and other spiritual leaders. Other sisters use this resource for their private prayer.  In case you’re unfamiliar with it,  in broad strokes the Office includes three psalms, a reading, quiet reflection, intercessions, and a closing prayer.  Is this “Work of God” part of IHM prayer? Yes.  Our sisters at the Motherhouse pray the Evening Prayer from the Office every day. From the rich ground of Scripture some sisters  have moved to concentrating on  just one  psalm or using a favorite short prayer  to lead into contemplation.  Others focus on the scripture of God’s movement in their lives. All is rooted in the word of God.  It is all the work of God.