Lori Ferrell leads us in a 8 minute Examen for Advent.

This Examen is based on St. Ignatius’ Prayer of Examen

St. Ignatius was born in Spain in the 15th century. After a conversion experience in his early 30s he went on to devote his life to knowing and following God. He developed tools for discernment and is known for his Spiritual Exercises. One such spiritual practice from St. Ignatius is the Examen (for more info on St. Ignatius, click here.

The Examen offers us a way to recenter ourselves in the midst of Advent, which tends to be a busy and full season. The Examen invites us to reflect, notice, and name the movements of God in our lives, which in turn helps shape our prayer with God. Typically the Examen is used in the evening as a way of reflecting back on a day. During Advent, Global Trellis is offering the Examen as a way of reflecting back on the previous week. 

I invite you to begin by finding a quiet and comfortable place where you won’t be interrupted. If you are lighting a candle for Advent, you could light it now as a way of remembering that Christ, our Light, is here with us. Allow yourself to take a few deep breaths, inviting God’s Spirit to open your heart, mind, body and spirit to God’s presence here with you. Ask the Holy Spirit to draw your attention to what God has for you to see and notice as you reflect on the following questions. 

How would you like to express gratitude to God—where have you been touched by God? What gifts and graces do you notice in your life that could be offerings of gratitude to God?

Where have you noticed Christ’s presence in the past week? Where have you noticed Christ’s light in the midst of darkness? Where have you felt hope, joy, peace and/or love?

Where have you felt the darkness, or an absence of Christ’s light—those times in your week where it seemed dark, hopeless, fearful, despairing? As you name this with God, notice what comes up—emotions, questions. Can you invite curiosity and compassion into your conversation with God around these tender places?

As you pause with what you have noticed from your day, where do you want to linger in prayer with God?

As you look forward to the coming day/week, what do you need? What concerns and/or joys do you carry? How would you like to invite God into your tomorrow (coming week)?

Feel free to linger here with God. If you want you could spend some time journaling what you noticed, or simply rest here with God. 

An Advent Blessing:

May you know the nearness of Immanuel, 

Christ with you.

May you sense the One 

who draws near to you

The One who is hope

The One who is peace.

The One who is joy.

The One who is love.

The One who is.

Amen.