Ash Wednesday

Be sure today to check out the Old Style Breviary. The First Nocturne of Matins is particularly interesting. Good Lectio can proceed from Liturgy.

Mass readings.

Universalis.

Okay, back to the Old Style. People ask me why I like the old liturgy so much. My answer is two parts. One, I would never want it in Latin. If you do not understand the words, what good is it? Then it's nothing more than a song on AM radio to which you know the tune, but not the words.

Two. It is my belief that all liturgy is designed to bring us into a state of mind where we can be receptive to the Holy Spirit. It should be beautiful, and it should also be written in words of venerable use. It should not be written in words that are so archaic as to require a dictionary. Each liturgy has a structure. Each part of the liturgy--hymns, antiphons, psalms, readings, responsories--informs the rest, gives it the fullness of meaning. It points to mindsets that of holiness.

Can you keep the concepts? Lord, have mercy.