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.

When I say I am a Christian

On this lovely day of Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, it is time to reflect on ourselves as Christians. 

It is particularly challenging when you are catholic. 

Some people have asked me over the years if we are true Christians and why we worship Mary, Mother of God. At first, I used to get annoyed, but now I simply answer them and say "I don't worship her, I venerate her".

 But what is the difference, one might ask? I simply regard our lady with reverence and respect.

I want to share with you a poem that I saw on the net that encompasses mostly how I think of myself as a Christian. 

When I say that 'I am a Christian', I am not shouting that 'I am clean living. I'm whispering, 'I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say, 'I am a Christian', I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say 'I am a Christian', I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say 'I am a Christian', I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say 'I am a Christian', I'm not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say 'I am a Christian', I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say 'I am a Christian', I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!