Examen - 15 2025
Transcript
Opening
Today is Saturday, November 22.
My name is Brother Bobby Nichols, and I serve as a chaplain with Campus Ministry here at Loyola University.
We find ourselves in the middle of a busy time.
Many of us have had tests, exams, papers, and projects—
not to mention preparing for Thanksgiving next week.
Let us take a few moments to pause,
to slow down,
and to notice the ways God has been actively working in and through our lives.
Becoming Still
As we begin, let’s find a comfortable position.
You might be sitting or lying down.
Allow your body to rest,
your mind to quiet,
and your heart to be still.
Let’s take a few deep breaths together—
breathing in...
and breathing out...
As we breathe in and breathe out,
we remember that it is Christ’s own breath—the breath of God’s love—
that fills our lungs
and unites us with every person
and every living thing in creation.
Take one more deep breath—
a breath of peace, love, and wholeness—
and rest in the awareness
that you are united with God and with all creation.
Gratitude
Let us begin by calling to mind the events of this day.
Where has God been present to you—
even in small, quiet ways?
What moments brought you joy?
When did you find yourself laughing, smiling, or feeling light-hearted?
Maybe it was a conversation with a friend, a relative, or a partner.
Maybe you saw something funny online or on TV.
Maybe you caught yourself smiling as you watched the sunrise over Lake Michigan,
or witnessed the joy of a puppy or a toddler.
Take a moment to relive one of those moments of joy.
Notice how it feels in your body—
the warmth, the ease, the lightness.
How might God be speaking to you through that joy,
renewing your heart and your soul?
What is God inviting you to learn
as you cherish this moment of joy?
Awareness
As we move from gratitude to awareness,
let us turn to those moments when we have struggled—
when we fell short
or lost sight of who we want to be.
When did you feel angry, frustrated, jealous, or bitter?
Was there a moment when you said or did something you wish you could take back?
Bring one of those moments gently to mind.
Don’t judge yourself—simply notice.
As you hold that moment in prayer,
imagine God looking upon you with compassion, not condemnation.
How might God be inviting you to pause,
to breathe,
and to begin again with grace and humility?
Invitation
God is always at work—
in our laughter and in our tears,
in our achievements and in our mistakes,
in the things we are proud of
and in the things we are not so proud of.
As you reflect on your day, ask yourself:
How has God been drawing me closer today?
What invitation has God been offering—
to trust, to forgive, to rest, or to love more freely?
Perhaps it is an invitation to let go of something—
a worry, a comparison, or a resentment.
Perhaps it’s an invitation to reach out—
to someone you’ve been avoiding
or someone who needs encouragement.
Whatever the invitation is, take a moment to name it before God.
And if you’re not sure, simply pray:
“God, help me to see as You see.”
Renewal and Hope
God is with us—
in every moment,
in every heartbeat,
in every unfolding part of our lives.
Take a moment to look forward toward tomorrow.
What kind of person do you hope to be?
How might you carry the grace of this reflection
into your next conversation,
your next act of service,
your next day,
your next prayer?
Ask God for the grace you need—
the grace to live with joy,
to act with compassion,
and to walk with peace.
Closing Prayer
Loving God,
thank You for the gift of this day—
for the moments of laughter
and the moments of learning.
Thank You for walking beside us,
even when we fail to notice.
As we end this examen,
may we rest in Your presence and Your peace,
and rise renewed in Your love.
We ask this as we pray in Your name:
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
November 15, 2025
Examen: General
SUMMARY: This is a general Examen to help you reflect on your day.
PRESENTER: Brother Bobby Nichols, S.J., Chaplain, Campus Ministry
Transcript
Opening
Today is Saturday, November 22.
My name is Brother Bobby Nichols, and I serve as a chaplain with Campus Ministry here at Loyola University.
We find ourselves in the middle of a busy time.
Many of us have had tests, exams, papers, and projects—
not to mention preparing for Thanksgiving next week.
Let us take a few moments to pause,
to slow down,
and to notice the ways God has been actively working in and through our lives.
Becoming Still
As we begin, let’s find a comfortable position.
You might be sitting or lying down.
Allow your body to rest,
your mind to quiet,
and your heart to be still.
Let’s take a few deep breaths together—
breathing in...
and breathing out...
As we breathe in and breathe out,
we remember that it is Christ’s own breath—the breath of God’s love—
that fills our lungs
and unites us with every person
and every living thing in creation.
Take one more deep breath—
a breath of peace, love, and wholeness—
and rest in the awareness
that you are united with God and with all creation.
Gratitude
Let us begin by calling to mind the events of this day.
Where has God been present to you—
even in small, quiet ways?
What moments brought you joy?
When did you find yourself laughing, smiling, or feeling light-hearted?
Maybe it was a conversation with a friend, a relative, or a partner.
Maybe you saw something funny online or on TV.
Maybe you caught yourself smiling as you watched the sunrise over Lake Michigan,
or witnessed the joy of a puppy or a toddler.
Take a moment to relive one of those moments of joy.
Notice how it feels in your body—
the warmth, the ease, the lightness.
How might God be speaking to you through that joy,
renewing your heart and your soul?
What is God inviting you to learn
as you cherish this moment of joy?
Awareness
As we move from gratitude to awareness,
let us turn to those moments when we have struggled—
when we fell short
or lost sight of who we want to be.
When did you feel angry, frustrated, jealous, or bitter?
Was there a moment when you said or did something you wish you could take back?
Bring one of those moments gently to mind.
Don’t judge yourself—simply notice.
As you hold that moment in prayer,
imagine God looking upon you with compassion, not condemnation.
How might God be inviting you to pause,
to breathe,
and to begin again with grace and humility?
Invitation
God is always at work—
in our laughter and in our tears,
in our achievements and in our mistakes,
in the things we are proud of
and in the things we are not so proud of.
As you reflect on your day, ask yourself:
How has God been drawing me closer today?
What invitation has God been offering—
to trust, to forgive, to rest, or to love more freely?
Perhaps it is an invitation to let go of something—
a worry, a comparison, or a resentment.
Perhaps it’s an invitation to reach out—
to someone you’ve been avoiding
or someone who needs encouragement.
Whatever the invitation is, take a moment to name it before God.
And if you’re not sure, simply pray:
“God, help me to see as You see.”
Renewal and Hope
God is with us—
in every moment,
in every heartbeat,
in every unfolding part of our lives.
Take a moment to look forward toward tomorrow.
What kind of person do you hope to be?
How might you carry the grace of this reflection
into your next conversation,
your next act of service,
your next day,
your next prayer?
Ask God for the grace you need—
the grace to live with joy,
to act with compassion,
and to walk with peace.
Closing Prayer
Loving God,
thank You for the gift of this day—
for the moments of laughter
and the moments of learning.
Thank You for walking beside us,
even when we fail to notice.
As we end this examen,
may we rest in Your presence and Your peace,
and rise renewed in Your love.
We ask this as we pray in Your name:
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.