When the Soul Keeps Watch

A Carmelite bishop draws us into the silent vigilance of prayer, from Teresa to today

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.
— Psalm 130:5–6

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What comes to my mind is the image that Saint Teresa of Avila uses in The Book of Her Life, when she compares prayer to a watchtower set on high—a place of vigilance. She says that to pray is like ascending this tower and looking out.

Prayer is, in a certain way, to climb upward and see with the eyes of God. It is a spiritual ascent into the presence of the Lord, who dwells in the heights of heaven.

The one who prays enters into relationship with God, yet without losing touch with the real problems of life or the suffering of others. It’s a beautiful image that unites prophecy and prayer: the prophet speaking on behalf of God, and a people praying on behalf of the city, reminding the Lord of His promise, while the prophet stays attentive to hear and relay the message back to the people.

Psalm 130 expresses this posture perfectly: “My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning” (Ps 130:6). The watchman passes the night longing for dawn, because daylight brings clarity and safety.

The prophet Isaiah evokes this same readiness: “The watchman calls from the watchtower, ‘My Lord, I stand on my post all day long, and stay at my station all through the night’” (Isa 21:8).

This is faith: a constant vigil. We live like watchmen—awake, attentive, longing for God's action, open to hear what the Lord is saying, and to see what is unfolding in our world.

— Bishop Silvio José Báez, o.c.d.

“Te he hecho centinela de la casa de Israel” (Ez 33:7), Conectados con el Evangelio

Note: This excerpt comes from a video catechesis by Bishop Silvio José Báez, OCD, streamed on 6 September 2020, in which he reflects on Ezek 33:7 and related biblical imagery of the watchman. Drawing from Psalm 130, the prophet Isaiah, and the writings of St. Teresa, Bishop Báez explores how contemplative prayer allows us to see the world with the eyes of God. We gratefully recall his episcopal ordination on 30 May 2009 in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Managua.

⬦ Reflection Question ⬦
How can I become more faithful in prayer, like a sentinel who trusts that morning will come?
⬦ Join the conversation in the comments.

Source reference

Báez, S. J. 2020, Te he hecho centinela de la casa de Israel (Ez 33,7), catechetical video streamed 6 September 2020, translated from the Spanish by Carmelite Quotes, YouTube.

Featured image

A flowering tree blooms beneath the illuminated medieval walls of Ávila, Spain—home of St. Teresa—at night.
Image credit: Jose / Adobe Stock (Asset ID# 526063390).