Examen - 15
Transcript
Introduction
“Finding God in All Things.” It’s one of the invitations at the heart of Ignatian Spirituality. God, The Divine, The Sacred, is not something that is limited or associated only with certain holy texts, or only in designated holy places. Rather God, God’s work of love in the world, and God’s invitation to love more fully, are present – and can be found – everywhere. When I pray the Examen, one of the places that I experience God most deeply is in my relationships with others. So, for today, as we reflect and pray together, I want to invite you to pay particular attention to your relationships and the people that you encounter throughout the day.
Preparing for the Examen
Everyone prays their Examen differently so as we get ready to begin, I invite you to prepare in the way that works best for you. Perhaps that is slowing down and quieting your mind. Maybe that is closing your eyes or softening your gaze. Or possibly you Examen best with a pen and paper in hand. Put your phone on do-not disturb, turn off all those intrusive notifications, and allow yourself to simply be present. As you settle yourself physically, become aware of God’s loving presence… that place that you have been and will always continue to be.
Review the events of the day
As you have been invited to do so many times before, I invite you to review the events of your day – playing them back in your mind like a movie or watching them before you like a theatre performance. Start from the time you woke up and continue up through the present.
Today, the theme of our examen is relationships – so as you review, I encourage you to pay specific attention to everyone you encountered throughout your day – at home, at work, during your commute, while running errands.
- Who comes to mind?
- Family or loved ones
- Friends
- Acquaintances
- Colleagues
- Strangers
- With the people that might ordinarily be invisible to you
No interaction is too small reflect on. As you review the events of the day in your mind, I invite you not to judge your experiences and interactions, but simply to notice and name.
- How were you feeling in each of your relationships and interactions throughout the day?
- What were you thinking as you engaged with others?
- Were there any relationships today that were particularly sustaining or life giving for you?
- In any of your interactions did you try to be sustaining or supportive for others?
- From this past day, in which interactions, or with what people do you most easily experience God? How does that feel?
Turn to God
Not every relationship is perfect all the time. Not every interaction goes smoothly or according to plan. Where did you fail to be your best self in relationship with others today? How might you need to make amends? What is God’s invitation to you in the midst of this challenge?
Look Forward
Tomorrow will bring a new day with new encounters, new interactions, and new ways of being in relationship. In some instances, these relationships will build on and deepen your connection with someone you already know. Other times, you might be meeting someone for the very first time. Ask God for the openness to face all that tomorrow will bring throughout the day, and in your relationships with others. Thank you God for the time and experience examining the way you are working through the relationships in my life. I am grateful for the invitations you constantly make to me to better love others.
November 21, 2024
Examen: Relationships
SUMMARY: Where might you have experienced God in your relationships today? How might God’s be working through others to invite you to love more deeply?
PRESENTER: Jeff Peak, MA (he/him), Assistant Director of Retreats, Campus Ministry
Transcript
Introduction
“Finding God in All Things.” It’s one of the invitations at the heart of Ignatian Spirituality. God, The Divine, The Sacred, is not something that is limited or associated only with certain holy texts, or only in designated holy places. Rather God, God’s work of love in the world, and God’s invitation to love more fully, are present – and can be found – everywhere. When I pray the Examen, one of the places that I experience God most deeply is in my relationships with others. So, for today, as we reflect and pray together, I want to invite you to pay particular attention to your relationships and the people that you encounter throughout the day.
Preparing for the Examen
Everyone prays their Examen differently so as we get ready to begin, I invite you to prepare in the way that works best for you. Perhaps that is slowing down and quieting your mind. Maybe that is closing your eyes or softening your gaze. Or possibly you Examen best with a pen and paper in hand. Put your phone on do-not disturb, turn off all those intrusive notifications, and allow yourself to simply be present. As you settle yourself physically, become aware of God’s loving presence… that place that you have been and will always continue to be.
Review the events of the day
As you have been invited to do so many times before, I invite you to review the events of your day – playing them back in your mind like a movie or watching them before you like a theatre performance. Start from the time you woke up and continue up through the present.
Today, the theme of our examen is relationships – so as you review, I encourage you to pay specific attention to everyone you encountered throughout your day – at home, at work, during your commute, while running errands.
- Who comes to mind?
- Family or loved ones
- Friends
- Acquaintances
- Colleagues
- Strangers
- With the people that might ordinarily be invisible to you
No interaction is too small reflect on. As you review the events of the day in your mind, I invite you not to judge your experiences and interactions, but simply to notice and name.
- How were you feeling in each of your relationships and interactions throughout the day?
- What were you thinking as you engaged with others?
- Were there any relationships today that were particularly sustaining or life giving for you?
- In any of your interactions did you try to be sustaining or supportive for others?
- From this past day, in which interactions, or with what people do you most easily experience God? How does that feel?
Turn to God
Not every relationship is perfect all the time. Not every interaction goes smoothly or according to plan. Where did you fail to be your best self in relationship with others today? How might you need to make amends? What is God’s invitation to you in the midst of this challenge?
Look Forward
Tomorrow will bring a new day with new encounters, new interactions, and new ways of being in relationship. In some instances, these relationships will build on and deepen your connection with someone you already know. Other times, you might be meeting someone for the very first time. Ask God for the openness to face all that tomorrow will bring throughout the day, and in your relationships with others. Thank you God for the time and experience examining the way you are working through the relationships in my life. I am grateful for the invitations you constantly make to me to better love others.