Monday

At nightfall, weeping enters in,
But with the dawn, rejoicing

The Monday Office does not have one unifed theme chosen from the mysteries of salvation; but we can certainly find a constantly recurring thought which is in harmony with its position in the week.  After the day of rest, the work of the week begins.  Monday is the first workday; it has a watchword:  On into the conflict of the week with a joyful spirit!  Joyous as a bridegroom, strong as a hero, hasten through the course of the week (Ps. 18, Prime).  This joyful and trusting note can be heard in most of the Hours.  The invitatory already stresses the sentiment:  "O Come, let us sing unto the Lord."  We begin this week, not in a sour and despairing mood, but with a joyous spirit.  Matins paints us a picture of victory; Lauds is full of joy; Prime is particularly appropriate as a morning prayer for the beginning of the week.  And so:  On into the conflict of the week with a joyful spirit.