Divine Office up or down??

jerber160
jerber160 Posts: 2,607 Member
WHen I first found this app I was really glad...after about 6 months, the more I listen, I'm not 'frustrated' but less than thrilled. It seems there is so much emphasis on 'Through his holy prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.' 'putting foes under feet." I mean, am I supposed to identify my 'foes' in today's age? temptations? who are my modern day foes I'm praying to be released from? back then, weren't the 'enemies' real, honest to God armies trying to conquer and decimate and rape and pillage and enslave other groups? Looking for a little clarification here. thanks.... Oh. and if you can relate some of this to my diet that would be great too.

Replies

  • bushidowoman
    bushidowoman Posts: 1,599 Member
    I find myself in battle every single day. I think of my foes in light of Ephesians 6:12-13. "My battle is not with flesh and blood, but with the powers of this world." For me, it is an encouragement to read that I am not alone in battle, and that God will put my (His) foes under His feet.
    I have the app, also. I open it up in the morning and then sometimes in the evening, but the rest of the day gets lost in diapers and laundry and homeschooling and cooking and referreeing fights...
  • maryb2374
    maryb2374 Posts: 137 Member
    What app is this? It sound intriguing.
  • maxmariesfo
    maxmariesfo Posts: 173 Member
    Generally speaking, people are aware that Muslims pray several times a day. But very few people are aware that Catholics have been doing so for centuries before Muslims existed as a faith. It goes by several names. The Divine Office, the Liturgy of the Hours, the Breviary, the rosary is also called the poor man's Breviary.

    Matins, Prime, Lauds, Terse, Sext, None, Vespers and Compline. Matins has become the Office of Readings and Prime has been suppressed. There are also seasonal antiphons to the Blessed Mother prayed at specific times of the year. I would love the whole thing in Latin, but I can't afford it.

    I don't use an app. I use the 4 book Liturgy of the Hours. As a professed Franciscan, I have been praying the LotH for about 10 years. I find it exceedingly uplifting. It is the universal prayer of the universal church. It comes in several forms, from the app, to several book forms.

    "Blessed be the Lord, the god of Israel. He has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David."

    We don't necessarily have to apply these psalms and canticles to our lives today. Sometimes they are there to remind us where we came from. As Catholics we haven't always had it easy. There have been times when one was executed simply for being Catholic. Sometimes it is nice just to know that there are millions of other Catholics praying together. When one prays on a schedule that is.

    They definitely are not meant to relate to dieting. If you're trying to do that, it's no surprise that you are confused. If you are anywhere near a community of monks or friars - I highly recommend joining them for prayer. If you are lucky enough, they may sing the entire thing.

    There is a Camaldolese monk, Ciprian Consiglio. He has a number of albums out. One, "Lord Open My Lips," which is the Liturgy of the Hours for Easter - if memory serves. Completely sung by the monks. Good stuff. You should be able to find it on Amazon.com
  • jerber160
    jerber160 Posts: 2,607 Member
    They definitely are not meant to relate to dieting. If you're trying to do that, it's no surprise that you are confused. If you are anywhere near a community of monks or friars - I highly recommend joining them for prayer. If you are lucky enough, they may sing the entire thing.

    [/quote]
    NO, NOT really trying to relate ithe divine office to diet.. but the FOES thing is so generic..the more I listen the more annoying it becomes and the more esoteric it sounds. but in light of the other thread against yoga, I mean really. well rounded balance sounds like a noble goal.