Sunday Morning

The pre-dawn hours are the best of the day. There is nothing like the absolute silence of being the only person awake. I am not alone in believing that God is closest to us before dawn, that we are more apt to sense God, and hear God's voice in those moments. God repays even the most paltry efforts to keep Vigil.

Before the world rises to start the day it is a wonderful time for intercession. Our hearts are most open at this time, and our prayers go out freely. Vigils help us to learn that prayer does not depend upon word choice. Prayer issues from our hearts without words. Words are for our own understanding, God already knows. We are the ones who need words. Learning that prayer does not require words may be the most important part of Vigils.

I speak the words of the psalms, but nothing else. Sometimes I only read the psalms while I drink coffee. The most important thing is staying with the Lord during those few and precious moments. To join with the Church for the Liturgy of the Hours requires our spoken words, but to keep watch for Christ requires no words at all.