Confession 101

I am exploring different ideas to make this site the most practical and usable for you. An idea I came up with last night was to start a short daily examen message - a sort of kick-start bit to help you to look at your day in a God centered way. What went right.. what didn’t… where was God in your day sort of thing.

It might go something like this:

Spiritual Quote: You are good and forgiving full of love to all who call to you. Lk 5:11

Place Yourself in the Presence of God: Be still and know that I am God.

Imagine that no matter how sinful and awful you may feel or think you are…. God looks upon you as his most special and loved child. Can you imagine a mother with a child who has special needs - perhaps is blind or deaf or lame or slow….. can you imagine loving a child like that? If that is difficult for you - can you imagine a child that just got into a mud puddle and is totally dripping mud? Can you still love a child like that? If you can love a small child who is not at his total best….. than know that that is only a tiny glimpse of the love God has for you - no matter what you have done. God never, ever stops loving you!

Put yourself in front of this loving God - just sit - wait and see what happens.

Thank God for the Gifts of this Day: [Name five thankful gifts] From the moment the stupid alarm clock went off to this moment.. look for the glimpses and touches of God. In the beginning you may not see or remember God’s presence in many ways but as you struggle with this concept - pretty soon a flood of thankful memories will surge into your spirit like the tide coming in on a beautiful sandy beach.

• the alarm clock.. … I can hear it! Thank you God for the gift of hearing
• my warm bathrobe…. Thank you God that I have nice clothes to keep me warm
• my shower…. thank you God for the gift of warm, splashing running water available with just a twist of the knob.
• talking with a friend… how wonderful to have someone to share with.
• A spiritual thought or insight that came to you during the day -transforming how you think about yourself or someone else - or helping you to deal with a difficult situation.

Spiritual Tune Up Time [what could I have done better?]

Every day has its moments in which we didn’t say, do or act in the best way. Take a few moments and think about three situations in which you could have responded better.

1. responded grumpily to a simple request to take the dog out
2. thought angry thoughts about someone and frowned at them
3. procrastinated in doing the dishes or writing a note or ?

Ask for God’s Forgiveness -

Ask for the grace to respond better tomorrow.

Pray the Our Father

The above thoughts were adapted from St. Ignatius - Daily Examen

I am only just a beginner in seeing and understanding this beautiful way of prayer. I hope in the days ahead to explore it with you in greater depth, perhaps with some interviews with those who have practiced it for longer periods of time than I have!

In my next article I will share with you some of the great links about the Daily Examen. It’s been around for a long, long time - at least five hundred years!