I was drawn to a book I have not even opened in many years. It was a gift in 199[7], one that meant ~and still means~ a great deal to me. Given me by a priest-friend, along with in-depth instruction ~and guided practice~ into its use The book is nowadays called Christian Prayer but was originally known (and to many of you, still is) as The Liturgy of the Hours.


When today I acknowledged my sudden desire to re-experience its wonders, and examined its organization, I realized I had absolutely no retention of how to do it. (I.e., There exists an elaborate protocol or “system” of use, which prevents the book's being multiple-volume[s]-long, so that it can be easily carried about inside one's clothing. The idea behind this is that at any time, anywhere in the world, the system can be utilized to land you on the “same page”, literally, with everybody else in the world who ha[s] made the freewill choice to become focused upon the same intention.)


And so, since I wanted to do honor to this desire but had no recollection how to go about the “collective” ideal in the book's design, I simply closed my eyes, then jerked it open and began to read. I will share with you, verbatim, what I read:


July 3
THOMAS, ASPOSTLE
Feast


Saint Thomas is remembered for his incredulity concerning Christ's resurrection from the dead. When confronted by the risen Lord, his disbelief gave way to belief and he proclaimed the Easter faith of the Church: “My Lord and My God!” Nothing certain is known of his life except for this evidence in the gospels. He is said to have subsequently preached the Gospel to the people of India. Since the fourth century the celebration of the transferrence of his body to Edessa has been commemorated on July 3.


From the common of apostles, 1392.
+++


Morning Prayer


Hymn no. 169


Ant. 1
Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way? Jesus replied, I am the way, the truth and the life.


Psalms and canticle from Sunday, Week 1, 707.


Ant. 2
Thomas, who was called The Twin, was not present when Jesus appeared to the apostles, so they told him: We have seen the Lord, alleleuia.


Ant. 3
With your hand, touch the mark of nails; doubt no longer, but believe, alleuia.


Reading
Ephesians 2:19-22
You are strangers and aliens no longer. No, you are fellow citizens of the saints and members of the household of God. You form a building which rises on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is fitted together and takes shape as a body temple in the Lord; +54+in him you are being built into this temple, to become a dwelling place for God in the Spirit.


Responsory
You have made them rulers over all the earth.
~You have made them rulers over all the earth.
They will always remember your name, O Lord,
~over all the earth.
Glory to the Father...
~You have made...


Canticle of Zechariah
Ant.
Because you have seen me, Thomas, you have believed; blessed are they who have not seen me and yet believed. ...


(The above excerpt begins on page 1186, ed. 1976.)

Ed. Note: Typographical errors in the original have been corrected above and are denoted by brackets enclosure [ ].