January 20 – “Let Praise Never Cease!”

Perhaps you will recall . . . and if not, here is a reminder . . . that our first entry this year was entitled “Non Recedat Laus” . . . “Let Praise Never Cease!” This, we believe, is the first priority, the most compelling reason why the true monastic enters the cloister, for the privilege of living a life of unending worship.


Of course we must ask, “What about the rest of us?”


They have those set times of worship, and the House makes sure they continue into the ages of time.


We have those times, too. Shall we now give it a good monastic try, this very day?


Consider for a moment? Do you drive to work? Do you shower? Do you walk the dog, water the garden, take a nap, fold clothes, polish your shoes, style your hair, drink a cup of coffee, or wash the car? Survey the landscape of your day and pinpoint those times when you are alone for a few minutes or at least occupied and usually undisturbed, and turn those minutes into a service of worship.


Be sure that we in Cor Unum are not headed toward lives merely dotted with tiny worship bubbles in the froth of daily living: we are in pursuit of the Presence and the nature of Jesus Christ, always with us, always transforming us, always blessing His Name.


Nevertheless, we have to start somewhere, and we start with what we have. Let us begin and see if we can turn our quiet minutes, those we can call our own, into worship. Let our first sacrifice be not what we cannot obtain (perhaps two evening hours alone with God are not ours to enjoy,) but let it be what we do have and can call our own, those moments we typically give to our own pleasure and pursuits.


For a season, let us set us aside our pleasures for the pleasure of the Lord’s Presence. We do not have to slink away from our families; we can be in their midst with worshiping hearts. When we do have time alone, let it not be attached to anything attached to a wire coming out of a wall, binding us fast to dissipation! For a season, let’s tie ourselves umbilically to the nearness of God. We don’t have to be good at this. With our God we may always say, “I want, my Lord, what I don’t have.”


"Take A Walk!"