We are so afraid of silence that we chase ourselves from one event to the next in order not to have to spend a moment alone with ourselves, in order not to have to look at ourselves in the mirror.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
Listening may be our greatest tool in learning to live and love like Jesus. However, it is a discipline that must be practiced often. We regularly go through a whole day and never notice that the God of the universe is actively pursuing us. The prayer of examen provides a way of noticing where God shows up in our day. The questions of examen open our attention to how God’s internal movement is present in our daily lives.
Scripture
• Read and meditate on Philippians 1:9-10.
Reflection:
• How do you tend to recognize God’s presence in your day? How do you respond to God’s presence?
Practice:
• Consider practicing this every night for one week. Find some time at the end of the day when you no longer have any pressing responsibilities. Ask these questions (You may want to journal your responses):
- Start with thanksgiving, noticing the moments that you were most grateful and least grateful for.
- Ask when did you give and receive the most love today? When and where did I give and receive the least love today?
- What was the most life-giving and life-draining part of my day?
- When today did I have the deepest sense of connection with God? When today did I have the least sense of connection?
- Where was I aware of living out of the fruit of the Spirit? Where was there an absence of the fruit of the Spirit?
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