Daily Examination of Conscience

 

During the month of August, I will be taking time off from blogging.  

I am looking forward to celebrating with Sr. Jordan Rose for her Final Profession! 

It will be a joyous occasion and one to share in a future blog! 

Today is the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola. 

He was a man who wanted to do great things. 

St. Ignatius gave us a spiritual exercise to practice everyday. 

The Daily Examination of Conscience 

Give Thanks 

I begin by giving God thanks for all the things I’m grateful for today. I allow my mind to wander as I reflect on the ways God has blessed me on this particular day. I allow big things and small things to arise—everything from the gift of my faith, to the gift of my marriage, to the easy commute to work today.

Ask for the Spirit 

Next, I want to look at the moments in my day when I did not act so well. However, before doing so, I ask God to fill me with his Spirit so that the Spirit can lead me through this difficult soul-searching. Otherwise, I’m liable to hide in denial, wallow in self-pity, or seethe in self-loathing.

Review and Recognize Failures 

I look back at my day and ask the Lord to point out to me the moments when I have failed in big ways or small. I take a sobering look at the mistakes I’ve made this day. 

Ask for Forgiveness and Healing

If I have sinned, I ask God to forgive me and set me straight again. If I have not sinned but simply made a mistake, I ask for healing of any harm that might have been done. I ask for help to get over it and move on. I also ask for wisdom to discern how l might better handle such tricky moments in the future.

Pray About the Next Day

I ask God to show me how tomorrow might go. I imagine the things I’ll be doing, the people I’ll see, and the decisions I’ll be mulling over. I ask for help with any moments I foresee that might be difficult. I especially ask for help in moments when I might be tempted to fail in the way I did today.

To help me remember the five steps, I like to use a 5-Rs mnemonic:

Relish the moments that went well and all of the gifts I have today.

Request the Spirit to lead me through my review of the day.

Review the day.

Repent of any mistakes or failures.

Resolve, in concrete ways, to live tomorrow well.

https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/ignatian-spirituality/examen-and-ignatian-prayer/how-can-i-pray-try-the-daily-examen/

"Teach us, Good Lord, to give and not count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing that we do thy will." 

St.  Ignatius of Loyola