Early rise

I've just recently begun preparing myself for the rhythm of seminary life. At the seminary there will be morning prayer every day at 630 a.m. followed by daily Mass, followed by breakfast. Therefore, I have just begun getting up every morning at 530 p.m. and driving to St Mary's Cathedral in downtown Austin for daily Mass.

I recall that Peter Kreeft suggested in one of his books that rather than go to bed at midnight and wake up at 7 a.m., one ought to try going to bed at 10 and waking up at 5. I find in anticipation of seminary that I am beginning to approach or at least try on this daily routine. It definitely has its benefits. For one, you get up before the sun is out, thus giving yourself the opportunity to enjoy the sunrise. You are not immediately bombarded with all the input of an already bustling day. It's quiet. And while I can't really handle quiet all day long, it's nice to be in a quiet place before the bustle starts so I can hear the voice of God. And when one hears the voice of God in the stillness, and the bustle gradually escalates, that voice of God somehow always stays near, whereas waking up to the bustle one can forget to listen for His voice in the first place.

Beginning the day with the real presence of Christ is an awesome gift. At least for people who take the concept of fitness or proper disposition seriously, it creates a heightened state of alertness to avoid temptation and occasions of sin. When one has constant daily contact with the Lord, one wants to always do what is right in his eyes, in the same way that when one has daily contact with a close friend, one is less tempted to do anything to injure his trust. Contact breeds loyalty.

And walking out of Mass at 7 a.m. and into the streets of downtown Austin, when the streets are still calm, you can see the sun rising. God says good morning from within the walls of the chapel, and then from without. An added bonus is that you start your tasks of the day earlier than before. You're not hurried or stressed out. You're just doing what you have to do. And as the day progresses you feel a greater sense of accomplishment, and peace, for you know that Christ really is present in you. And you're allowing him, although it is sometimes quite a challenge, to guide you.