Examen
At the end of a very busy day at school set aside some time in a place of quiet to reflect on your day.
The Examen[1] is a prayer of review – a short reflection back over the day, recalling events and taking note of your feelings.
The purpose is to become more aware of the ways in which God has been present to you, the times when the Holy Spirit was drawing you towards life.
Although coming from an older monastic tradition, St Ignatius recommended it to his earliest followers. It was the key prayer for Ignatius. When early Jesuits found themselves too busy to fit in all their usual prayers, Ignatius gave them permission to pray less, but told them to keep up the examen.
[1] Examen is Spanish for examination, an examination of your day and how God was at work.
Spend a moment becoming still.
Imagine yourself in a place where you feel at peace. It might be your own room at home. There are two chairs there and you sit on one of these.
There is a knock on the door and you open it. It is Jesus. You invite him to sit down. What is it like to have him there? He has brought a book with him and you realise that it is a photograph album of the day. He has taken pictures of you throughout the day.
You and Jesus look through the photos talking about them. If one in particular catches your eye, for which you are grateful, spend some time with it and talk to Jesus about it . . .
Is there a particular picture Jesus wants you to look at? What do you feel about his choice? What do you say to him about it?
(Is there a picture there which you wish wasn’t there? Talk to him about that too.)
When you are ready the album is closed. What do you ask of Jesus before he departs, to help you for tomorrow? How do you take leave of each other?
How do you feel now?
End the review with a simple prayer.
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