Examen - 02
November 04, 2024
Examen: Civic Life
SUMMARY: No matter what place you call home, no matter your citizenship, no matter what issues seem to unite or divide you from your neighbor, God calls all of us to contribute to the common good in our community. Pray and reflect upon this profound responsibility.
PRESENTER: Megan Barry, MA, MSW, Director, Community Service & Action
Transcript
An Ignatian Examen for Civic Life
Ignatian Solidarity Network
Today we are entering into an Examen that calls us to think about ourselves as civically engaged members of our community. No matter what place you call home, no matter your citizenship, no matter your voting status, no matter what issues seem to unite or divide you from your neighbor, God calls all of us to contribute to the common good in our community.
Today’s Examen is written by the Ignatian Solidarity Network and is called “An Ignatian Examen for Civic Life.” We will prayerfully focus our reflection around where the spirit of goodwill is alive, where we feel it lacking, and how we can care for the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized. Through it, we are called to be contemplatives in action.
In this time of prayer, pay attention to how you feel emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Be open to the thoughts come to mind. Let go of distractions. Let the Spirit guide you.
As I guide you with prompts, I will leave time for quiet reflection. Should you want to give yourself more time with a prayer, feel free to pause the recording.
- pause
As we begin our time together, I invite you to call your mind, body and spirit to these moments of prayer and reflection. Release yourself from any distractions that you can. Relax your body while remaining attentive to it. Take a few deep breaths to center yourself.
- pause
And so we begin...
Let us begin with a prayer of gratitude.
Consider the current realities of our country, state, and local community—for what and for whom are you most grateful?
Now, ask for God’s guidance.
Invite the Spirit to illuminate your reflections in this time of prayer.
Enlightened by the spirit, prayerfully review our nation at this point in history; pay attention to your emotions and reactions.
- What energizes you or brings you closer to God as you reflect on our country?
- What distracts you or makes you feel farther away from God?
- What is the current situation of your neighbors, particularly the vulnerable and those marginalized by poverty and injustice?
- In what ways do your identity and privileges shape your perspective and vision for our country?
- Allow your honest reactions, emotions, and desires to surface as you reflect upon these questions.
Conversation with God
Now spend some time in conversation with God. Connect with God about the desires or feelings that have come to you in this reflection. Speak simply, clearly, directly, and honestly, as one friend speaks to another.
- Bring to God one or two of the strongest desires or feelings evoked by your prayers about our country.
- Share with God any areas of your life as a faithful citizen that you lament.
- With God, hold the communities, groups, or aspects of creation in our nation that need healing and reconciliation.
- Ask to know God’s desire for those people who are marginalized by poverty and injustice.
- Name the areas in your life or in the life of our nation that you rejoice in and celebrate.
- Listen with your heart—how is God present to you through your reactions and desires in this conversation?
Now let us pray for renewal and resolution.
As we prepare to elect new leaders:
- How will you promote the common good?
- Ask God for the assistance you need to enact greater, more lasting good for all of God’s people.
- Is there a specific attitude you want to cultivate within yourself or an action you want to take?
- Entrust your desires and intentions to God’s grace.
As our time ends, conclude your prayer and reflection in a way that is meaningful and respectful of your relationship with the God of all that is good.
Amen
November 04, 2024
Examen: Civic Life
SUMMARY: No matter what place you call home, no matter your citizenship, no matter what issues seem to unite or divide you from your neighbor, God calls all of us to contribute to the common good in our community. Pray and reflect upon this profound responsibility.
PRESENTER: Megan Barry, MA, MSW, Director, Community Service & Action
Transcript
An Ignatian Examen for Civic Life
Ignatian Solidarity Network
Today we are entering into an Examen that calls us to think about ourselves as civically engaged members of our community. No matter what place you call home, no matter your citizenship, no matter your voting status, no matter what issues seem to unite or divide you from your neighbor, God calls all of us to contribute to the common good in our community.
Today’s Examen is written by the Ignatian Solidarity Network and is called “An Ignatian Examen for Civic Life.” We will prayerfully focus our reflection around where the spirit of goodwill is alive, where we feel it lacking, and how we can care for the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized. Through it, we are called to be contemplatives in action.
In this time of prayer, pay attention to how you feel emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Be open to the thoughts come to mind. Let go of distractions. Let the Spirit guide you.
As I guide you with prompts, I will leave time for quiet reflection. Should you want to give yourself more time with a prayer, feel free to pause the recording.
- pause
As we begin our time together, I invite you to call your mind, body and spirit to these moments of prayer and reflection. Release yourself from any distractions that you can. Relax your body while remaining attentive to it. Take a few deep breaths to center yourself.
- pause
And so we begin...
Let us begin with a prayer of gratitude.
Consider the current realities of our country, state, and local community—for what and for whom are you most grateful?
Now, ask for God’s guidance.
Invite the Spirit to illuminate your reflections in this time of prayer.
Enlightened by the spirit, prayerfully review our nation at this point in history; pay attention to your emotions and reactions.
- What energizes you or brings you closer to God as you reflect on our country?
- What distracts you or makes you feel farther away from God?
- What is the current situation of your neighbors, particularly the vulnerable and those marginalized by poverty and injustice?
- In what ways do your identity and privileges shape your perspective and vision for our country?
- Allow your honest reactions, emotions, and desires to surface as you reflect upon these questions.
Conversation with God
Now spend some time in conversation with God. Connect with God about the desires or feelings that have come to you in this reflection. Speak simply, clearly, directly, and honestly, as one friend speaks to another.
- Bring to God one or two of the strongest desires or feelings evoked by your prayers about our country.
- Share with God any areas of your life as a faithful citizen that you lament.
- With God, hold the communities, groups, or aspects of creation in our nation that need healing and reconciliation.
- Ask to know God’s desire for those people who are marginalized by poverty and injustice.
- Name the areas in your life or in the life of our nation that you rejoice in and celebrate.
- Listen with your heart—how is God present to you through your reactions and desires in this conversation?
Now let us pray for renewal and resolution.
As we prepare to elect new leaders:
- How will you promote the common good?
- Ask God for the assistance you need to enact greater, more lasting good for all of God’s people.
- Is there a specific attitude you want to cultivate within yourself or an action you want to take?
- Entrust your desires and intentions to God’s grace.
As our time ends, conclude your prayer and reflection in a way that is meaningful and respectful of your relationship with the God of all that is good.
Amen