Today is the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus. 40 days after His birth Mary and Joseph brought Him to the Temple as prescribed by the law of God.
        We meet the prophet Simeon who was also a priest in the Temple. Because of the premonition given him by the Holy Spirit he knew he would be able to see the Messiah before he died. Who knows what he thought about that day. I’m sure he probably didn’t wake up that day knowing that he would indeed see the Christ child. His attentiveness to God and the movement of His Spirit in subtle ways led to him recognizing Jesus for who He truly is.
Simeon’s words are very special to the Church. Those words that he spoke with Jesus in his arms are prayed everyday during Night Prayer, or Compline as it is traditionally known. Priests and religious pray the daily prayer of the Church. This tradition goes all the way back to the Old Testament,, as Levites would daily sing the Psalms in the Temple. It has evolved throughout the centuries, and Benedictine monasticism has played a significant role in shaping it.
Today this prayer is referred to as the Liturgy of the Hours. At specific times throughout the day priests, deacons, religious, and other consecrated people make the promise to pray. This promise is lived out through the Liturgy of the Hours. The times that are prayed are generally referred to as hours, though they do not take an hour to pray. Seven is the maximum amount of hours that are prayed in a day.
These hours are: the Office of Readings, Morning Prayer, Daytime Prayer (Consists of Mid-Morning, Mid-Day, and Mid-Afternoon), Evening Prayer, and Night Prayer. The traditional Latin names for these hours are: Matins, Lauds, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Compline. Fr. Francis and I pray five of these hours, as we just choose one of the daytime hours. The Deacons Jim only have to pray two of these, Lauds and Vespers. Because we make the promise to pray these at our ordination we are bound by obedience to pray them, so it is grave matter if we deliberately skip them.
This is a very brief introduction of the Liturgy of the Hours. The Laity are invited to pray this daily prayer of the Church as well. There are cellphone apps that have this, which makes it easy and convenient. My favorite one is iBreviary. Consider this as a very quick and easy option for personal prayer, couple prayer, or family prayer. I’d be happy to explain things in more detail if you are interested in praying this ancient prayer of the Church.