On Those Who Come Late to the Work of God or to Table
Nov. 21
At the hour for the Divine Office, as soon as the signal is heard, let them abandon whatever they may have in hand and hasten with the greatest speed, yet with seriousness, so that there is no excuse for levity. Let nothing, therefore, be put before the Work of God.
If at the Night Office anyone arrives after the “Glory be to the Father” of Psalm 94 — which Psalm for this reason we wish to be said very slowly and protractedly — let him not stand in his usual place in the choir; but let him stand last of all, or in a place set aside by the Abbot for such negligent ones in order that they may be seen by him and by all. He shall remain there until the Work of God has been completed, and then do penance by a public satisfaction. The reason why we have judged it fitting for them to stand in the last place or in a place apart is that, being seen by all, they may amend for very shame. For if they remain outside of the oratory, there will perhaps be someone who will go back to bed and sleep or at least seat himself outside and indulge in idle talk, and thus an occasion will be provided for the evil one. But let them go inside, that they may not lose the whole Office, and may amend for the future.
At the day Hours anyone who does not arrive at the Work of God until after the verse and the “Glory be to the Father” of the first Psalm following it shall stand in the last place, according to our ruling above. Nor shall he presume to join the choir in their chanting until he has made satisfaction, unless the Abbot should pardon him and give him permission; but even then the offender must make satisfaction for his fault.
Reflection
We can often explain the reason why we are late for a gathering or a meeting, but it is often more difficult to justify it. When it is the Lord Who is waiting for us…? We know very well that our desire for God must always take first place, which means that, having chosen to follow Jesus, there are to be no more excuses, even reasonable ones, for He has loved us even to the point of giving His life for us.
