Zeal
Well-Known Member
My bible study call is over until Sept. It was deep this is just one of the topics whe touched on for the Spring Semester.
Examen of Consciousness:
Finding God in All Things
Edited – by me. Don’t be put off by the messenger. Chew the meat (and there is a lot of it). And throw away the bones.
A POPULAR METHOD OF PRAYER FROM ST. IGNATIUS AND HIS FOLLOWERS
By Phyllis Zagano
St. Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556), founder of the Society of Jesus, was a very practical man when it came to prayer. He recommended to his brothers a daily method of examining their lives so that they might better serve the Lord. St. Ignatius taught that the key to a healthy spirituality was twofold: Find God in all things and constantly work to gain freedom to cooperate with God’s will. St. Ignatius proposed a daily exercise, which he called the Examen, that has been used by many Christians ever since. By praying the Examen twice daily, countless laypeople worldwide have joined the practice of Jesuits, other priests and religions—in hearing God’s voice in their hearts. Through this daily practice, they learn to discern God’s will and grow in the understanding of God’s beautiful creation. Now called the Examen of Consciousness, it is a simple practice that anyone can learn and benefit from.
Making time for prayer
The Examen is not the same as an “examination of conscience,†such as you engage in before meeting Jesus in Reconciliation. The Examen is a methodical prayer that helps you meet Jesus in your daily life, as he encourages you to do God’s will. The Examen helps you grow in spiritual sensitivity and helps you recognize and receive God’s care and assistance. St. Ignatius tells his Jesuit brothers that the Examen is the one prayer they should not eliminate; it is the one prayer they absolutely must engage in every single day. The Examen is a simple prayer, a prayer for busy people who are continually seeking to do the Lord’s will.
There are five simple steps to the Examen, which should take about 15 minutes to complete. Many people make the Examen once around lunchtime and again before going to bed. This prayer can be made anywhere—on the beach, in a car, at home, in the library. It is often best, especially in the evening, to have a special place where you meet God.
Let’s take for example the evening Examen, since it is the one most people can make most of the time. Whether you make it in the same chair you watch TV or read in, it is best to set off the time for prayer in some way. Try to be in a place where you are least likely to be disturbed, and where there is the least amount of external noise. Get up and walk around a bit, to signal the change of activity. Perhaps you light a candle or change the lighting when you pray. Then sit comfortably, as straight-backed as possible with both feet on the floor. Feel God’s presence and know his deep love for you, but try not to fall asleep. (God’s presence is a great comfort—and often an aid to sleep!). You are about to enter into a deep and intimate conversation with Jesus, your closest friend, ally and advocate. All this helps you to enter into step one.
Examen of Consciousness:
Finding God in All Things
Edited – by me. Don’t be put off by the messenger. Chew the meat (and there is a lot of it). And throw away the bones.
A POPULAR METHOD OF PRAYER FROM ST. IGNATIUS AND HIS FOLLOWERS
By Phyllis Zagano
St. Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556), founder of the Society of Jesus, was a very practical man when it came to prayer. He recommended to his brothers a daily method of examining their lives so that they might better serve the Lord. St. Ignatius taught that the key to a healthy spirituality was twofold: Find God in all things and constantly work to gain freedom to cooperate with God’s will. St. Ignatius proposed a daily exercise, which he called the Examen, that has been used by many Christians ever since. By praying the Examen twice daily, countless laypeople worldwide have joined the practice of Jesuits, other priests and religions—in hearing God’s voice in their hearts. Through this daily practice, they learn to discern God’s will and grow in the understanding of God’s beautiful creation. Now called the Examen of Consciousness, it is a simple practice that anyone can learn and benefit from.
Making time for prayer
The Examen is not the same as an “examination of conscience,†such as you engage in before meeting Jesus in Reconciliation. The Examen is a methodical prayer that helps you meet Jesus in your daily life, as he encourages you to do God’s will. The Examen helps you grow in spiritual sensitivity and helps you recognize and receive God’s care and assistance. St. Ignatius tells his Jesuit brothers that the Examen is the one prayer they should not eliminate; it is the one prayer they absolutely must engage in every single day. The Examen is a simple prayer, a prayer for busy people who are continually seeking to do the Lord’s will.
There are five simple steps to the Examen, which should take about 15 minutes to complete. Many people make the Examen once around lunchtime and again before going to bed. This prayer can be made anywhere—on the beach, in a car, at home, in the library. It is often best, especially in the evening, to have a special place where you meet God.
Let’s take for example the evening Examen, since it is the one most people can make most of the time. Whether you make it in the same chair you watch TV or read in, it is best to set off the time for prayer in some way. Try to be in a place where you are least likely to be disturbed, and where there is the least amount of external noise. Get up and walk around a bit, to signal the change of activity. Perhaps you light a candle or change the lighting when you pray. Then sit comfortably, as straight-backed as possible with both feet on the floor. Feel God’s presence and know his deep love for you, but try not to fall asleep. (God’s presence is a great comfort—and often an aid to sleep!). You are about to enter into a deep and intimate conversation with Jesus, your closest friend, ally and advocate. All this helps you to enter into step one.
