|
Benedicite The "Benedicite" is the canticle uttered by Sidrach, Meshach, and Abednego when they remained unharmed upon being cast into the fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar for refusing to adore a golden statue he had set up (Daniel 3:57-88, 56). It begins Benedicite, omnia opera Domini, Domino (Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord), and is included in the Liturgy of the Hours for Morning Prayer on Solemnities (incl. Sundays), and Feasts throughout the year. The Benedicite canticle calls on all creation, from the angels in the height of heaven down to the fish in the depths of the sea, to give glory to God. But "Benedicite!" is also an ancient greeting. Friars in days of old frequently greeted each other with a declarative Benedicite! The word really means "Good Word;" although not the origin of "Good Day," that's what it could mean in modern times. The Novices at St. Lawrence Friary of the Capuchins in New England in the 1960's used "Benedicite" as a greeting, too. And so did one of the cloistered contemplative sisterhoods I visited in the past five years. But in ordinary life, the meaning and use of this Latin word has slipped by the wayside. I remember another practice of this nature, in Germany in the 1960's as well, where people, especially in small farming towns used to say "Grüss Gott" ("Greet God," literally; but "Praise God," in essence). These are good practices and it is unfortunate that our secularized society simply turns up its collective noses at these niceties. Also in Germany, there used to be covered Crucifixes at intersections in agricultural areas. Used to be... when there was still simple Faith. The text in Daniel 3:57-88, 56, should not be recited or read, but it should be 'prayed.' The text is very conducive to meditation. While the angels, birds, fish, weather, all praise the Lord, we human beings have this tendency toward our own agenda. Every morning I struggle with this. After breakfast I have a choice ... pray the Liturgy of the Hours, or turn the computer on right away to work on websites and/or email. Of course the desired choice is to pray! But it doesn't always happen. Our whole day should be a shout of adoration. We should continually praise the Lord. Yes, we can do two things at once. We have this unique ability to praise God in our thoughts and actions while doing something else. So let's do it! Benedicite! Fred S. Schaeffer, sfo Return to bro. Fred's Reflections by Fred Schaeffer, SFO Index |
