Day 19

Friday, April 24, 2015

The Abbey of Gethsemani

The monks at Gethsemani pray seven times everyday.  The first prayer time begins at 3:15 a,m,  This is called Vigils.  I already know what some of you are thinking.  Pastor Vallerie up at 3:15 a.m.?  Truth be told, I do not get up for Vigils.  However, I read the Psalms (which are in a daily booklet) the monks chanted during Vigils.  This day one of the Psalms during Vigils was Psalm 16  (Psalm 15 in the American Standard Bible.)  Because they chant the Psalms, they use a translation which is singable.  Verse 5 of Psalm 16 (15) stood out for me:  The monks would have chanted these wrods at Vigils: O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; it is you yourself who are my prize.  The NRSV translates Psalm 16:5 this way: The Lord is my chosen portion, my cup; you hold my lot.

Nan Merrill’s, Psalms for Praying, often speaks to my heart;  This is her translates Psalm 16:5:                   Love is my chosen food, my cup, holding me in its power.

May love be our chosen portion this day and everyday.  Amen.

I count it all joy,

Pastor Vallerie