Remembering our loved ones.

November is the month when we remember the souls of the faithfully departed in the Catholic Church.

I lost 2 uncles and a very good friend.  Ages ranged from 46 to 92.
To tell you the truth, I had not seen these people in more than 10 years.
However, due to modern technology, I was able to stay in touch with my very good friend and had spoken to my elderly uncle by phone. My uncles lived a full life whilst my friend was not ready for death, and she was so young and wanted to live.

And it got me thinking about how important it is that we stay in touch and no matter what age that one is to live life to the fullest. Everyone has an expiratory date.

What did these 3 people have in common?

 

They had brief illnesses before passing away.  I hope before they passed, in that lonely space, they had the opportunity to reflect and seek God's Divine intervention as he is a merciful God. However, I will do my bit and pray for their souls and others around the world.

It is important in our faith to remember others who were not even close to us and those souls in purgatory.

Beauty of the Examen

 It is designed to be done in the evening.


Prayer of Examen

Find 15 minutes in your day and review the last 24 hours using the prayer of Examen.  Here is one way to engage in the practice:

Invite the Holy Spirit’s guidance.  Position your body in a posture of attentiveness, but not rigidity – feet flat on the floor, sitting up straight so you can breathe freely.  Take three deep breaths, breathing in God’s blessing and breathing out all that is not of God (your fear, your anxiety, your anger).  Pray this simple prayer, “In your grace, Lord, I want to see the truth of my life through your eyes.  Please reveal it to me.”  Breathe in God’s blessing and breathe out all that is not of God.

Review the day with thanksgiving.  Once you have invited the Holy Spirit’s guidance, name the blessings for which you are thankful in the last 24 hours.  As you do this, remember, this is not a time to “count your blessings,” but rather a time to savor your blessings.  As you savor your blessings, picture Jesus before you, smiling and delighting in you.

Review the feelings that surface.  Now ask yourself what feelings surfaced throughout the last 24 hours.  Did you feel frustrated?  Ashamed?  Disappointed?  Excited?  Joyful?  Pained?   Name the negative and positive feelings.

Choose one or two feelings and pray from it.  Choose a negative feeling and a positive feeling and simply talk to God about those feelings.  Then listen to him.  As you do this, go ahead and let God surprise you.   Behold Jesus beholding you as you present your feelings to him.

Look forward to tomorrow.  Now, look forward.  Tomorrow is a new day and God’s mercies are new each morning.  Ask yourself what you learned today in your prayer of examen and then end your time by asking God for the grace you need to move forward tomorrow.