Practicing a Daily Examen
Deacon Mike Daniels
Socrates once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” In our busy, information-overloaded culture, it is increasingly difficult to pause for self-examination. God may be present in our lives, but given the pace at which we move, we often do not notice Him. Taking time each day to reflect in quiet on our actions can be a life-giving exercise.
Saint Ignatius Loyola called this process “examen”. He suggested that at bedtime we set aside a few minutes to reflect on the events, encounters, and feelings of our day. With intention, he encourages us to replay the hours of our day and ask ourselves how we see the hidden movements of God that might otherwise go unnoticed.
One way to do this is to have your calendar of the day’s events close. As you reflect on your day, ask God’s Spirit to reveal how He was present in each task or encounter. Ask yourself: When was I aware of His presence, and when was I not?
Saint Ignatius suggested to think about those moments that drew you closer to God—and the moments when you were moving away from Him. Being aware of both movements can help us live with greater intent, and help us in developing a greater awareness of His presence in our lives. You might find yourself thinking, “I felt God present in that conversation with my coworker or friend, and I want to remember it tonight and reflect on it.” Examining your life each day can lead to a life worth fully living, a life where God is present and your heart is engaged.
Tip: Download the “Reimagining the Examen” app on your smartphone (iTunes or Google Play) or purchase the book “Reimagining the Ignatian Examen: Fresh Ways to Pray from Your Day” by Fr. Mark E. Thibodeaux, SJ (Loyola Press, Amazon, and Google Play).
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Centering Prayer
Intimacy With God Grows from Sitting in Silence
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Centering Prayer Group
Tuesdays 4 ppm
John Paul II Room
Are you feeling stressed from the busyness of every day life? Are you wanting to grow in faith and deepen your prayer life but you don’t know where to begin? Give our
Centering Prayer Group
a try!
Centering Prayer is an ancient Christian form of prayer, similar to meditation. It has been known and practiced since the earliest days of the Church. For many centuries, lay people as well as priests and nuns prayed this way, but for cultural and historical reasons it stopped being taught widely, while staying an integral part of monastic life.
That is until the 1970’s, when three Trappist Monks decided it was time to reintroduce the practice to everyday Christians. And so they did. They created an easy way to learn it, and an organization (Contemplative Outreach) to teach it and support the people who have made this prayer part of their daily life.
The intimacy that grows from sitting in silence with God, asking nothing, expecting nothing, will transform us spiritually and strengthen all our efforts to Encounter, Love, and Serve Jesus.
The Centering Prayer Group meets here at Saint Brigid Parish in the John Paul II room every Tuesday at 4 pm. Come to the Welcome Tent after Mass this weekend to talk with someone in the group, or just come early to a meeting. They will teach you and then you and the group will pray together.
Contact: Karen Downs, kdowns2@san.rr.com
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We are Called to Show Mercy
Pray for the Living and the Dead
We are called to show mercy, because mercy has first been shown to us, and the source of that mercy is God.
Today’s readings, along with the Feast of All Souls’ day that we celebrated last week, give us an opportunity to pray for the living and the dead.
What are some practical ways we can live out praying for the living and the dead in our daily lives?
- Each day this week, pray for a relative, friend, etc. who has passed away.
- Take extra time to pray at daily Mass (7:30 am) or Eucharistic Adoration (Thursdays 8 am–4 pm and 3rd Friday 7–8:30 pm). Pray a Rosary or the Divine Mercy Chaplet (Thursdays at 3 pm or on your own).
- Pray for those you don’t like and even your enemies.
Be deliberate about keeping a prayer list of intentions on paper, your phone, or calendar—and keep it updated.
"I have called upon You, for You will answer me."
Psalm 17:6
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Inspiration and Upcoming Events
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There are a lot more ways to get and stay connected, grow in faith, enrich your prayer life, and serve others. See Sunday's issue of The Way for information about these events and more:
Practicing Financial Stewardship
- Come learn more about Wills and Trusts, Power of Attorney, Charitable Giving, Catholic Healthcare Directives and more at our Estate and Planned Giving Seminar on Wednesday, November 13. Morning and evening sessions to choose from. See page 5 for details and RSVP information.
Spend Some Time With the Lord
- NightWATCH - Join us Friday, November 15, 7 - 8:30 pm for a night of Eucharistic Adoration by candle light. Stop by for a bit or stay for the whole time. You'll be refreshed!
Giving and Celebrating Together
- Join us for our next Blood Drive and Breakfast on the Plaza. Sunday, November 17. The Knights of Columbus will be available this Sunday morning to register you as a donor. Page 12.
Veterans Day is Coming
- See #IamSaintBrigid (page 6) and a special invitation to a Veterans Day Breakfast hosted by The Capodanno (Cap) Society (page 12).
Service Opportunities
- Neighbors in Need - Come on Monday, November 11 to help us prepare and serve meals for those in need. Page 12
- Candy Sorting and Packaging Event - Thanks to all who brought Halloween Candy, Toothbrushes, and Toothpaste to the parish last weekend for Give Back Sunday. Now it's time to organize it all! Parishioner and Casa de los Pobres board member, Caroline Kelner, is hosting a candy sorting and packaging event in her home on Sunday, November 24 at 12 pm Come join in the fun. Lunch is provided. Please RSVP and bring a box of quart size freezer bags. Contact Caroline at 858.761.7744 or carolinekelner10@gmail.com.
Celebrating the Sacraments
- Recently Married - See page 8 for a list of couples who recently received the Sacrament of Matrimony. Let's show them our continued support as a faith community by keeping them in our prayers!
- Teen Confirmation Prep - Our first Teen Confirmation Prep Retreat is Saturday, November 16. See page 12 for details and registration information. Please keep the teens and their leadership team in your prayers!
This is just a glimpse at some of the ways we carry out our mission to Encounter, Love, and Serve Jesus, One Another, and the World.
Visit our website
for a full calendar and more information on faith enrichment, opportunities to serve, care and support, and age-specific events.
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GOSPEL MEDITATION
- Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
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“Some Saducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, came forward and put this question to Jesus …”
In this Sunday’s Gospel, the Saducees avoid their real question. Is there a resurrection from the dead or not? Rather than ask this question point blank, the Saducees try to prove their point through a roundabout, unrealistic scenario. Jesus cuts straight to the question behind the question, citing Scripture passages relating to the resurrection.
The Saducees are trying to trick Jesus. While we may not intend to stump God, our doubts and questions may have more in common with the Saducees than we care to admit. Doubts are part and parcel of life in a fallen world. Still, there are different ways we can word our doubts to ourselves, God, and others. When we’re struggling, truly struggling, about some article of faith, do we admit it? Or do we cloak it with other, obtuse questions to hide the nature of our concern?
Have you considered leaving the Church over the hypocrisy of some of her members and leaders? Perhaps the real question is: “How can a place blessed by God and instituted by Christ have this evil in it? Can I reconcile with the concept that an institution has an admixture of good and bad? What do I expect from others, from myself? What responsibility do I have to try and remedy evil in an institution I’m part of?” Perhaps you’ve wondered about the nature of romantic love, and if God is love, does He really care so much about the details of this particular scenario? Perhaps the real question is: “Can my mind wrap around the concept of a God whose law seems—on the surface, in this situation—to make people unhappy? What is the relationship between the moral law and human flourishing?” These aren’t easy questions, but they are more honest ones. This week, don’t be afraid of your deeper questions! Bring them to God, to someone you trust, and to yourself.
Come Lord Jesus.
Live in my mind.
Dwell in my heart.
Be my companion on the journey of life.
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Parish Office 858.483.3030
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