Holy Rule for February 24
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St. Mary's Monastery
Feb 23, 2026, 5:08:51 PMFeb 23
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Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
February 24 (or 25), June 26, October 26
Chapter 19: On the Manner of Saying the Divine Office
We believe that the divine presence is everywhere and that "the eyes of the Lord are looking on the good and the evil in every place" (Prov. 15:3). But we should believe this especially without any doubt when we are assisting at the Work of God. To that end let us be mindful always of the Prophet's words, "Serve the Lord in fear" (Ps.2:11) and again "Sing praises wisely" (Ps. 46:8) and "In the sight of the Angels I will sing praise to You" (Ps. 137:1). Let us therefore consider how we ought to conduct ourselves in sight of the Godhead and of His Angels, and let us take part in the psalmody in such a way that our mind may be in harmony with our voice.
REFLECTION
If there were any phrase I could carve on the walls of every choir in the Order, it would be: "In the sight of the Angels I will sing praise to You." It stresses not only the lofty character (and cast!) of our sacrifices of praise, but also the demeanor we should have in offering them.
The Presence of God that we miss so often should change our demeanor. Students act differently (usually worse, alas...) for a substitute teacher. Employees are different when the boss is off for the day. These assortments of different behavior are pretty much shot through the human condition, though not necessarily always a good idea.
The message here is no masks. Know Him in Whose presence and House you are. But really KNOW Him. That can take a lifetime of trying on and shedding as false different modes of conduct. God, like so many things, is very Benedictine in His perfection, which stands between the extremes in which we are prone to think of Him.
God is Parent and Creator and we are always creatures, but we are not always children. We have to grow into the adult relationship with God that fortunate children eventually share with their parents. (If we never got to do this, and many haven't, establishing such honesty with God is going to be a bit of a chore...Keep trying!)
As we grow in our knowledge of God, our behavior around Him (and we are ALWAYS "around Him", that's another clear message of the Holy Rule!) changes. It becomes more real and more natural. It changes with a very clear eye to Who God is and who we are. It changes from knowledge born of love and security.
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
February 24 (or 25), June 26, October 26
Chapter 19: On the Manner of Saying the Divine Office
We believe that the divine presence is everywhere and that "the eyes of the Lord are looking on the good and the evil in every place" (Prov. 15:3). But we should believe this especially without any doubt when we are assisting at the Work of God. To that end let us be mindful always of the Prophet's words, "Serve the Lord in fear" (Ps.2:11) and again "Sing praises wisely" (Ps. 46:8) and "In the sight of the Angels I will sing praise to You" (Ps. 137:1). Let us therefore consider how we ought to conduct ourselves in sight of the Godhead and of His Angels, and let us take part in the psalmody in such a way that our mind may be in harmony with our voice.
REFLECTION
If there were any phrase I could carve on the walls of every choir in the Order, it would be: "In the sight of the Angels I will sing praise to You." It stresses not only the lofty character (and cast!) of our sacrifices of praise, but also the demeanor we should have in offering them.
The Presence of God that we miss so often should change our demeanor. Students act differently (usually worse, alas...) for a substitute teacher. Employees are different when the boss is off for the day. These assortments of different behavior are pretty much shot through the human condition, though not necessarily always a good idea.
The message here is no masks. Know Him in Whose presence and House you are. But really KNOW Him. That can take a lifetime of trying on and shedding as false different modes of conduct. God, like so many things, is very Benedictine in His perfection, which stands between the extremes in which we are prone to think of Him.
God is Parent and Creator and we are always creatures, but we are not always children. We have to grow into the adult relationship with God that fortunate children eventually share with their parents. (If we never got to do this, and many haven't, establishing such honesty with God is going to be a bit of a chore...Keep trying!)
As we grow in our knowledge of God, our behavior around Him (and we are ALWAYS "around Him", that's another clear message of the Holy Rule!) changes. It becomes more real and more natural. It changes with a very clear eye to Who God is and who we are. It changes from knowledge born of love and security.
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
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