Taking Inventory
Anne Lamott tells a story of a little girl who got lost one day. After driving around with a policeman looking for familiar landmarks, she saw her church and said, “You can let me out now. This is my church, and I can always find my way home from there.”
Lamott adds, “And that is why I have stayed close to mine—because no matter how bad I’m feeling, how lost, lonely or frightened, when I see the faces of the people at my church, I can always find my way home.”
More than 400 years ago, St. Ignatius Loyola encouraged a Daily Prayer of Examen—a prayerful reflection to detect God’s presence and discern His direction. It’s a way of finding your way home.
Try this simple practice:
Become aware of God’s presence. Pick one day this week. Ask God for clarity.
Review the day with gratitude. What did you receive? What did you give?
Pay attention to your emotions. What is God saying through them?
Choose one feature and pray from it. Let prayer arise spontaneously.
Look toward tomorrow. Ask God for light. Use the Daily Readings as your guide.
St. Ignatius encouraged people to talk to Jesus like a friend.
Your life is a gift, adorned with gifts from God.
This Week:
Try the Prayer of Examen at least twice. Notice what surfaces.
Discuss and discern was a family or small group what needs and opportunities you might invest your savings from the New Normal fast.
Grace and peace,
David
“Take, Lord and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all I have and call my own. You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace, that is enough for me.” - St. Ignatius of Loyola
