Saturday

The end

Saturday is the last day of the week, and it reminds us of the end of our life, the end of the world.  This theme runs through all the Hours, repeating itself with new and different implications.

In Matins, we view all of history and all of life from the viewpoint of the final end; we adore God as faithful in his providence, long-suffering in his mercy, Helper and Redeemer.  In Lauds and in Prime we see God once again as the just Judge coming at the end of time to mete out punishment and praise.  In Terce we experience a longing for heaven; at Sext all of creation goes about its daily round of work; at None we contemplate the spectacle of hell.  Vespers is a thankful retrospect upon the wee spent in the work of our redemption, and Compline is the night-prayer of our life.  The theme for the whole day―the end. 

Saturday has long been dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, but this thought does not seem to be expressed in the Psalter.